Understanding the Domain Name Hierarchy
The domain name industry operates under a hierarchical structure primarily coordinated by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). ICANN delegates the management of specific domain extensions to various registries. For instance, in Turkey, the .TR extension was managed by METU and now by BTK, while globally recognized domains like .COM are managed by Verisign. However, direct dealings with Verisign for .COM issues are nearly impossible for most individuals or entities.
The Role of Registrars in Domain Accessibility
The path of a domain name to the end user involves registrars, which require ICANN accreditation. Network Solutions, commonly known as Netsol, was a preferred registrar in the early 2000s, especially for domains registered around that time, like sahibinden.com.
The Recent Sahibinden.com Incident
Sahibinden.com recently experienced a significant disruption due to an account blockage at Netsol, leading to the domain being inaccessible. While details are scarce, this raises speculations. A personal theory is the possibility of a cyber-attack aimed at hijacking the domain. The WHOIS records show Sahibinden’s DNS records using the same domain, indicating that unauthorized access to Netsol could have led to changes in DNS server IPs.
Timing and Precedents in Cybersecurity
The timing of this incident, coinciding with the year-end holiday period when teams are typically off-duty, is crucial. A similar situation occurred a decade ago when a Turkish SSL company unauthorizedly issued certificates for Google, causing a global uproar.
Immediate Responses and Long-term Implications
In response to such incidents, changing the domain expiration date and seeking reconciliation support from registrars like Netsol is essential. Moreover, the practice of using one’s domain as a nameserver (like sahibinden.com for dnsXX.sahibinden.com) is not as prestigious as it seems. Services like Amazon’s Route 53 offer more robust DNS solutions with diverse domain extensions, ensuring continuity even if one TLD faces issues.
The Fleeting Nature of Domain Ownership
A critical aspect to remember is that domain ownership is never permanent. Most extensions allow registrations for no more than 10 years, and even Verisign’s management of .COM is not guaranteed beyond a decade. Additionally, despite being a nationally proud country, Turkey lags in using its country code domain extension, with usage rates significantly lower than countries like Germany or the Netherlands.
The Emergence of Brand TLDs
Since 2012, the concept of brand TLDs (like .ibm) has gained importance. While over a thousand brands have acquired their extensions, active usage is limited. Turkish companies, even those with global presence, have largely been unaware or uninvolved in this trend. A more active participation in brand TLDs could provide companies like Sahibinden with more control and direct communication channels with ICANN in case of issues.
The Road Ahead for Turkish Internet Presence
This incident should serve as a wake-up call for Turkish companies to bridge the gap in the global internet ecosystem. While Turkey represents about 1% of various global metrics, its participation in brand TLD ownership is disproportionately low. A more proactive stance in this domain could significantly enhance the country’s digital sovereignty and resilience against cyber threats.
In conclusion, the recent events around Sahibinden.com highlight the complexities and vulnerabilities of the domain name system and the importance of strategic planning in domain management and cybersecurity. It’s a crucial lesson for all stakeholders in the internet domain industry, particularly in Turkey, to adapt and strengthen their digital assets for the future.