4 ms·

Every time you search for a domain on Network Solutions, they register it themselves.

71 points by nickb 19y ago

nickb 19y ago
Here, do some automated searching. Save as ns.rb and run as "ruby ns.rb" or do a +x... ----- cut here ----- #!/usr/bin/env ruby -w require 'rubygems' require 'mechanize' require 'digest/md5' search_form = WWW::Mechanize.new.get("http://www.networksolutions.com/").forms.first search_field = search_form.fields.name("domainNames").first 1.upto 50 do |i| puts search_field.value = "#{Digest::MD5.hexdigest("#{rand(9999999999)}")}.com" search_form.submit end
- timr 19y ago
  This won't do anything but load their server slightly. They're using the 5-day cancellation rule, so they don't actually pay for the domains that they reserve.
  - mynameishere 19y ago
    Could be wrong here, but the point is to draw enough attention so that the refund policy is changed.
    - timr 19y ago
      Yeah, but why would this help? Unless you can hurt their bottom line, you're unlikely to change their behavior.
      - daniel-cussen 19y ago
        If the press pays attention to this, it could make them lose potential clients.
      - bkbleikamp 19y ago
        If a few thousand people run this server a day or two before Q1 ends they'll have to explain to the press why they missed earnings projections by so much
- ericb 19y ago
  I wonder if continually searching trademark-based names and notifying over-aggressive corporate trademark lawyers might be a better strategy? Maybe your script should be "mcdonaldsrestaurant#{i}.com" There was a thread on reddit where people had gotten NS to register some names that might be awkward to explain to any outsiders (gross, non-pc stuff, etc). If you have a non-pc sense of humor, you might enjoy: http://reddit.com/info/64xuc/comments/ http://reddit.com/info/64xuc/comments/
staunch 19y ago
If they still let you register it for the same price that you'd get initially it seems significantly less evil than flat out stealing it. It's still evil though, because they're reserving domain names so other registrars can't offer them.
- nickb 19y ago
  Have you looked at their pricing chart? http://www.networksolutions.com/domain-name-registration/pricing-chart.jsp http://www.networksolutions.com/domain-name-registration/pri... These folks charge $34.99 for a .com per year! Godaddy charges $9.99.
jakewolf 19y ago
Hah! networksolutionspissedonmyprivacy.com
- zemaj 19y ago
  Good one. I went for the predictable; http://networksolutionssucksballs.com/ http://networksolutionssucksballs.com/
- daniel-cussen 19y ago
  "This website is registered by network solutions." I took a picture for safekeeping. What happens on the net stays on the net--forever.
alaskamiller 19y ago
someone smart figured out how to get a lot of clicks on ads!
greendestiny 19y ago
Hopefully this exposure will seriously hurt their business, but I think ICANN is responsible for failing to administer the assignment of names appropriately. There should be no refundable period and applications like this made in bad faith should lose network solutions their accreditation.
- drubio 19y ago
  An opportunistic leech already registered this domain, so seeing this domain doesn't really show much, except a bunch of ads. The point is that after you search for a domain at netsol.com, you get a Network Solutions landing page: "This Domain is available - Get it Now!", they effectively squat every domain that's searched -- for presumably a 5-day refundable period -- and in the process lock-out every other registrar from selling it. Here is another domain which is mentioned in the comment thread: http://networksolutionssucksballs.com/ http://networksolutionssucksballs.com/ , someone searched for the name and it already has a Network Solutions landing page, and though you can buy it, its 'taken' if you try to buy it from another(cheaper) registrar. You can try it out yourself, it takes around 15 minutes after you searched a domain for them to register it and appear with a NetSol landing page, instead of timing out. And BTW, the person that bought the youguysseriouslyregistereverythingisearch.com domain to squeeze some Adsense clicks while its making headlines is registered to: Campbell, Susan susankcampbell@live.com 2085 Ryder Avenue Everett, WA 98201 US 425.3177143
jakewolf 19y ago
So how to we file a complaint with the FTC? Definitely some false advertising going on "This Domain is Available - Get it Now!" How about a contest to see who can get them to register the funniest name? Has this happened to anyone else?
- palish 19y ago
  I'd vote for http://theguyinthepictothebottomrightfucksonthefirstdate.com http://theguyinthepictothebottomrightfucksonthefirstdate.com
nreece 19y ago
Network Solutions sucks! GoDaddy follows the same path. I moved to NameCheap (recommended) for a better service.
- b3n 19y ago
  NameCheap is just an eNom reseller.
- dcurtis 19y ago
  NameCheap is in the same boat as Registerfly was a few years ago. I wouldn't trust them.
DanielBMarkham 19y ago
I've been complaining about this for over two years. It's just an ugly business practice. NSI should be drummed out of the market with a policy like that. What's next? hold the domain and put it up for auction?
daniel-cussen 19y ago
I had a feeling this could be done to exploit people... I'm going to try searching a few dumb domains to get them to lose money in ICANN registration fees.
- coffeeaddicted 19y ago
  They don't lose money on that. They just cancel each registration after 5 days and get full refund.
  - b3n 19y ago
    Yeah, if anything it makes them money from ad clicks.
    - byrneseyeview 19y ago
      I'm pretty sure a customer who got all their clicks from 'auuuedeeekssae.com' and the like would suspect fraud. And if they got all their clicks from 'networksolutionsloveshitler.com' they'd suspect worse.
      - mwmanning 19y ago
        "And if they got all their clicks from 'networksolutionsloveshitler.com' they'd suspect worse." applause
  - dreish 19y ago
    I think the point is more that they never pay. If they were actually paying and then getting their money back, they really would lose money on this (in float), and it would be easy enough to write a script that would make them run out of money.
    - daniel-cussen 19y ago
      Exactly. They would lose 5 days' interest on the money, and more importantly, whatever money they alloted to this scheme would be exhausted quickly. Then they wouldn't be able to keep doing this.
indie01 19y ago
I like pcnames: http://www.pcnames.com/ http://www.pcnames.com/ because it utilizes some nifty JavaScript, a kind of "search as you type" method regarding inquiries of domain names. It also (claims that it) doesn't log or record those queries. That Network Solutions leeches queries and then charges $34.99 per year for registration is also insane. (Testing:) It really is quite unfortunate that they're @ number one of the list for a google search RE "domain name registration". . . I guess there's always the BBB.
gsiener 19y ago
I had the same idea for a patent searching site...
dreish 19y ago
What are they going to do next? Resolve all failed DNS lookups to their paid search engine?* *This was done by VeriSign, but at the time, VeriSign owned Network Solutions.
paddy 19y ago
You could make them lose money on this. 1.Search for a lot of domains that no one will ever go to (aebubibabaabaabaabba.com). 2.Hit the domain a lot of times, follow links 3. network solutions will register the domain, pay their money, and no one will ever go to the site. I wonder if there are safe guards, ie the program can only spend $50,000 a day to register domains. To give network solutions the least lead time, it would be best to flood the websites at the end of the 5 day period.
juanpablo 19y ago
And look! The domain tyhrwqblknklnlkandasdasdasd.co.uk is taken! /www.upload-images.net/imagen/357846aac7.png (and it wasn't me)
michaelneale 19y ago
Well I was wondering how long that would take to happen. (thought about that dirty trick years ago and hoped no one ever did it).
kirse 19y ago
Network Solutions has now become the world's largest domain squatter. They're really going to eat it after this mess up.
Mistone 19y ago
pretty shady - something I've always wondered about - thanks for cracking it open.
marcus 19y ago
The question is do they let you purchase the domain after they automatically register it? If they do, this can simply be a very effective automatic reservation of pages, so they don't get grabbed while you fill in your personal info/credit card info. If not then this really sucks.
- bluelu 19y ago
  They do. And they don't put any ads on the domains, and give the domain back to the pool after 5 days. It's a fair deal to save you from the unwanted domaingrabbing through whois!
deleted 19y ago
[deleted]
daniel-cussen 19y ago
A letter to the ICANN, courtesy of Network Systems: http://www.dear-international-corporation-for-assigned-name-and-numbers.com http://www.dear-international-corporation-for-assigned-name-... [s-and-numbers.com] http://www.i-couldnt-help-notice-that-network-solutions.com http://www.i-couldnt-help-notice-that-network-solutions.com http://www.buys-every-site-that-i-search.com http://www.buys-every-site-that-i-search.com http://www.they-say-they-are-trustworthy-and-reliable-though.com http://www.they-say-they-are-trustworthy-and-reliable-though... [.com] http://www.they-say-so-right-on-their-front-page.com http://www.they-say-so-right-on-their-front-page.com http://www.you-have-to-scroll-down-a-bit-to-see-it-though.com http://www.you-have-to-scroll-down-a-bit-to-see-it-though.co... [m] http://www.anyway-could-you-please-help-us-out.com http://www.anyway-could-you-please-help-us-out.com http://www.so-we-dont-have-to-keep-giving-our-dot.com http://www.so-we-dont-have-to-keep-giving-our-dot.com http://www.businesses-silly-names-like-kuubite.com http://www.businesses-silly-names-like-kuubite.com http://www.that-take-ten-minutes-to-spell-out.com http://www.that-take-ten-minutes-to-spell-out.com http://www.and-hinder-word-of-mouth-growth.com http://www.and-hinder-word-of-mouth-growth.com http://www.which-is-kind-of-lame.com http://www.which-is-kind-of-lame.com http://www.pretty-please-with-sugar-on-top-please-help-us-out.com http://www.pretty-please-with-sugar-on-top-please-help-us-ou...[t.com] http://www.yours-truly-daniel-cussen.com http://www.yours-truly-daniel-cussen.com
gscott 19y ago
Here is the Network Solutions official response: Dear George Scott, Thank you for contacting Network Solutions Customer Service Department. We are committed to creating the best Customer experience possible. One of the first ways we can demonstrate our commitment to this goal is to quickly and efficiently address your recent request. We want to make sure that our customers do not lose the domain name to disreputable individuals (or entities) that snatch up domains after a domain search has been made. Network Solutions, along with many other registrars have received numerous customer complaints of domain names being registered by someone else, typically outside of the United States, just minutes or hours after someone else has conducted a domain name search at a registrar site, performed a WHOIS query, or typed a domain in the browser to see if there is an active Web site. The industry calls this practice domain name "Front Running." To thwart the efforts of these sneaky individuals, Network Solutions reserves unregistered domains for up to four days from the date they are searched on our Web site. This customer protection feature provides our customers the opportunity to register names at a later date without fear that the name will be registered by the "Front Runners." If the domain you searched is available and one that you really want, we suggest that you register it immediately to ensure that you will not lose the name. Please do not respond to this E-mail. If you have any additional questions, you can reach us via e-mail by completing our online form at http://www.networksolutions.com/en_US/help/service-request.jhtml http://www.networksolutions.com/en_US/help/service-request.j... or by phone at 1-888-642-9675 and provide Service Request # 1-321287601. Thank you for choosing Network Solutions. Sincerely, Arlan001 Network Solutions Technical Support Specialist (c) Copyright 2008 Network Solutions, LLC. All rights reserved.
- sethjohn 19y ago
  To protect our valued customers from the dastardly practice of "Front Running", we engage in exactly this practice but do not refer to it as "Front Running" when we do it.
estherschindler 19y ago
They're standing behind the decision, too: http://www.cio.com/article/170950 http://www.cio.com/article/170950 After Furor, Network Solutions Stands by Name Policy Network Solutions says it will take steps to better notify customers of its controversial policy of temporarily registering domain name searches.

71 points by nickb 19y ago

nickb 19y ago

Here, do some automated searching. Save as ns.rb and run as "ruby ns.rb" or do a +x... ----- cut here ----- #!/usr/bin/env ruby -w require 'rubygems' require 'mechanize' require 'digest/md5' search_form = WWW::Mechanize.new.get("http://www.networksolutions.com/").forms.first search_field = search_form.fields.name("domainNames").first 1.upto 50 do |i| puts search_field.value = "#{Digest::MD5.hexdigest("#{rand(9999999999)}")}.com" search_form.submit end

timr 19y ago
This won't do anything but load their server slightly. They're using the 5-day cancellation rule, so they don't actually pay for the domains that they reserve.
- mynameishere 19y ago
  Could be wrong here, but the point is to draw enough attention so that the refund policy is changed.
  - timr 19y ago
    Yeah, but why would this help? Unless you can hurt their bottom line, you're unlikely to change their behavior.
    - daniel-cussen 19y ago
      If the press pays attention to this, it could make them lose potential clients.
    - bkbleikamp 19y ago
      If a few thousand people run this server a day or two before Q1 ends they'll have to explain to the press why they missed earnings projections by so much
ericb 19y ago
I wonder if continually searching trademark-based names and notifying over-aggressive corporate trademark lawyers might be a better strategy? Maybe your script should be "mcdonaldsrestaurant#{i}.com" There was a thread on reddit where people had gotten NS to register some names that might be awkward to explain to any outsiders (gross, non-pc stuff, etc). If you have a non-pc sense of humor, you might enjoy: http://reddit.com/info/64xuc/comments/ http://reddit.com/info/64xuc/comments/

staunch 19y ago

If they still let you register it for the same price that you'd get initially it seems significantly less evil than flat out stealing it. It's still evil though, because they're reserving domain names so other registrars can't offer them.

nickb 19y ago
Have you looked at their pricing chart? http://www.networksolutions.com/domain-name-registration/pricing-chart.jsp http://www.networksolutions.com/domain-name-registration/pri... These folks charge $34.99 for a .com per year! Godaddy charges $9.99.

jakewolf 19y ago

Hah! networksolutionspissedonmyprivacy.com

zemaj 19y ago
Good one. I went for the predictable; http://networksolutionssucksballs.com/ http://networksolutionssucksballs.com/
daniel-cussen 19y ago
"This website is registered by network solutions." I took a picture for safekeeping. What happens on the net stays on the net--forever.

alaskamiller 19y ago

someone smart figured out how to get a lot of clicks on ads!

greendestiny 19y ago

Hopefully this exposure will seriously hurt their business, but I think ICANN is responsible for failing to administer the assignment of names appropriately. There should be no refundable period and applications like this made in bad faith should lose network solutions their accreditation.

drubio 19y ago
An opportunistic leech already registered this domain, so seeing this domain doesn't really show much, except a bunch of ads. The point is that after you search for a domain at netsol.com, you get a Network Solutions landing page: "This Domain is available - Get it Now!", they effectively squat every domain that's searched -- for presumably a 5-day refundable period -- and in the process lock-out every other registrar from selling it. Here is another domain which is mentioned in the comment thread: http://networksolutionssucksballs.com/ http://networksolutionssucksballs.com/ , someone searched for the name and it already has a Network Solutions landing page, and though you can buy it, its 'taken' if you try to buy it from another(cheaper) registrar. You can try it out yourself, it takes around 15 minutes after you searched a domain for them to register it and appear with a NetSol landing page, instead of timing out. And BTW, the person that bought the youguysseriouslyregistereverythingisearch.com domain to squeeze some Adsense clicks while its making headlines is registered to: Campbell, Susan susankcampbell@live.com 2085 Ryder Avenue Everett, WA 98201 US 425.3177143

jakewolf 19y ago

So how to we file a complaint with the FTC? Definitely some false advertising going on "This Domain is Available - Get it Now!" How about a contest to see who can get them to register the funniest name? Has this happened to anyone else?

palish 19y ago
I'd vote for http://theguyinthepictothebottomrightfucksonthefirstdate.com http://theguyinthepictothebottomrightfucksonthefirstdate.com

nreece 19y ago

Network Solutions sucks! GoDaddy follows the same path. I moved to NameCheap (recommended) for a better service.

b3n 19y ago
NameCheap is just an eNom reseller.
dcurtis 19y ago
NameCheap is in the same boat as Registerfly was a few years ago. I wouldn't trust them.

DanielBMarkham 19y ago

I've been complaining about this for over two years. It's just an ugly business practice. NSI should be drummed out of the market with a policy like that. What's next? hold the domain and put it up for auction?

daniel-cussen 19y ago

I had a feeling this could be done to exploit people... I'm going to try searching a few dumb domains to get them to lose money in ICANN registration fees.

coffeeaddicted 19y ago
They don't lose money on that. They just cancel each registration after 5 days and get full refund.
- b3n 19y ago
  Yeah, if anything it makes them money from ad clicks.
  - byrneseyeview 19y ago
    I'm pretty sure a customer who got all their clicks from 'auuuedeeekssae.com' and the like would suspect fraud. And if they got all their clicks from 'networksolutionsloveshitler.com' they'd suspect worse.
    - mwmanning 19y ago
      "And if they got all their clicks from 'networksolutionsloveshitler.com' they'd suspect worse." applause
- dreish 19y ago
  I think the point is more that they never pay. If they were actually paying and then getting their money back, they really would lose money on this (in float), and it would be easy enough to write a script that would make them run out of money.
  - daniel-cussen 19y ago
    Exactly. They would lose 5 days' interest on the money, and more importantly, whatever money they alloted to this scheme would be exhausted quickly. Then they wouldn't be able to keep doing this.

indie01 19y ago

I like pcnames: http://www.pcnames.com/ http://www.pcnames.com/ because it utilizes some nifty JavaScript, a kind of "search as you type" method regarding inquiries of domain names. It also (claims that it) doesn't log or record those queries. That Network Solutions leeches queries and then charges $34.99 per year for registration is also insane. (Testing:) It really is quite unfortunate that they're @ number one of the list for a google search RE "domain name registration". . . I guess there's always the BBB.

gsiener 19y ago

I had the same idea for a patent searching site...

dreish 19y ago

What are they going to do next? Resolve all failed DNS lookups to their paid search engine?* *This was done by VeriSign, but at the time, VeriSign owned Network Solutions.

paddy 19y ago

You could make them lose money on this. 1.Search for a lot of domains that no one will ever go to (aebubibabaabaabaabba.com). 2.Hit the domain a lot of times, follow links 3. network solutions will register the domain, pay their money, and no one will ever go to the site. I wonder if there are safe guards, ie the program can only spend $50,000 a day to register domains. To give network solutions the least lead time, it would be best to flood the websites at the end of the 5 day period.

juanpablo 19y ago

And look! The domain tyhrwqblknklnlkandasdasdasd.co.uk is taken! /www.upload-images.net/imagen/357846aac7.png (and it wasn't me)

michaelneale 19y ago

Well I was wondering how long that would take to happen. (thought about that dirty trick years ago and hoped no one ever did it).

kirse 19y ago

Network Solutions has now become the world's largest domain squatter. They're really going to eat it after this mess up.

Mistone 19y ago

pretty shady - something I've always wondered about - thanks for cracking it open.

marcus 19y ago

The question is do they let you purchase the domain after they automatically register it? If they do, this can simply be a very effective automatic reservation of pages, so they don't get grabbed while you fill in your personal info/credit card info. If not then this really sucks.

bluelu 19y ago
They do. And they don't put any ads on the domains, and give the domain back to the pool after 5 days. It's a fair deal to save you from the unwanted domaingrabbing through whois!

deleted 19y ago

[deleted]

daniel-cussen 19y ago

A letter to the ICANN, courtesy of Network Systems: http://www.dear-international-corporation-for-assigned-name-and-numbers.com http://www.dear-international-corporation-for-assigned-name-... [s-and-numbers.com] http://www.i-couldnt-help-notice-that-network-solutions.com http://www.i-couldnt-help-notice-that-network-solutions.com http://www.buys-every-site-that-i-search.com http://www.buys-every-site-that-i-search.com http://www.they-say-they-are-trustworthy-and-reliable-though.com http://www.they-say-they-are-trustworthy-and-reliable-though... [.com] http://www.they-say-so-right-on-their-front-page.com http://www.they-say-so-right-on-their-front-page.com http://www.you-have-to-scroll-down-a-bit-to-see-it-though.com http://www.you-have-to-scroll-down-a-bit-to-see-it-though.co... [m] http://www.anyway-could-you-please-help-us-out.com http://www.anyway-could-you-please-help-us-out.com http://www.so-we-dont-have-to-keep-giving-our-dot.com http://www.so-we-dont-have-to-keep-giving-our-dot.com http://www.businesses-silly-names-like-kuubite.com http://www.businesses-silly-names-like-kuubite.com http://www.that-take-ten-minutes-to-spell-out.com http://www.that-take-ten-minutes-to-spell-out.com http://www.and-hinder-word-of-mouth-growth.com http://www.and-hinder-word-of-mouth-growth.com http://www.which-is-kind-of-lame.com http://www.which-is-kind-of-lame.com http://www.pretty-please-with-sugar-on-top-please-help-us-out.com http://www.pretty-please-with-sugar-on-top-please-help-us-ou...[t.com] http://www.yours-truly-daniel-cussen.com http://www.yours-truly-daniel-cussen.com

gscott 19y ago

Here is the Network Solutions official response: Dear George Scott, Thank you for contacting Network Solutions Customer Service Department. We are committed to creating the best Customer experience possible. One of the first ways we can demonstrate our commitment to this goal is to quickly and efficiently address your recent request. We want to make sure that our customers do not lose the domain name to disreputable individuals (or entities) that snatch up domains after a domain search has been made. Network Solutions, along with many other registrars have received numerous customer complaints of domain names being registered by someone else, typically outside of the United States, just minutes or hours after someone else has conducted a domain name search at a registrar site, performed a WHOIS query, or typed a domain in the browser to see if there is an active Web site. The industry calls this practice domain name "Front Running." To thwart the efforts of these sneaky individuals, Network Solutions reserves unregistered domains for up to four days from the date they are searched on our Web site. This customer protection feature provides our customers the opportunity to register names at a later date without fear that the name will be registered by the "Front Runners." If the domain you searched is available and one that you really want, we suggest that you register it immediately to ensure that you will not lose the name. Please do not respond to this E-mail. If you have any additional questions, you can reach us via e-mail by completing our online form at http://www.networksolutions.com/en_US/help/service-request.jhtml http://www.networksolutions.com/en_US/help/service-request.j... or by phone at 1-888-642-9675 and provide Service Request # 1-321287601. Thank you for choosing Network Solutions. Sincerely, Arlan001 Network Solutions Technical Support Specialist (c) Copyright 2008 Network Solutions, LLC. All rights reserved.

sethjohn 19y ago
To protect our valued customers from the dastardly practice of "Front Running", we engage in exactly this practice but do not refer to it as "Front Running" when we do it.

estherschindler 19y ago

They're standing behind the decision, too: http://www.cio.com/article/170950 http://www.cio.com/article/170950 After Furor, Network Solutions Stands by Name Policy Network Solutions says it will take steps to better notify customers of its controversial policy of temporarily registering domain name searches.