New Domains cause headaches

Enterprise web filtering specialist, Bloxx, has welcomed the the announcement by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to extend the currently available top level domains. The move should, alongside longer IP addresses available under IPv6, protect the Internet for all perceived domain name and world population growth rates.

From January next year, anyone can then apply for one of these new, inexhaustible domain names which will be made available by opening up top level domain possibilities (rather than the currently acceptable .uk, .fr, .de etc).

In addition, the widespread adoption of IPv6 lengthens the available IP addresses, which at the current rate would expire in 2010. With IPv4 there were potentially 4.2 billion IP addresses available for use. By moving to IPv6 this figure has increased this to 340 trillion, trillion, trillion - that’s a lot of domains.

“The recommendations from ICANN will future proof the Internet so that it can be used and enjoyed for many generations to come,” says Bloxx Managing Director, Eamonn Doyle. “However, we predict a land grab for these additional top level domains which will see a dramatic increase in the number of registered domains and URLs. This will be a significant
challenge for first and second-generation web filtering suppliers whose products depend on keeping a URL database up-to-date.”

“The problem with first and second generation web filters is with the growth and turnover of the web, as soon as a URL database or “blacklist” is updated, it is out of date - these new recommendations mean this problem has never been more relevant,” explains Doyle. “Third-generation filters, such as Bloxx Tru-View Technology, analyse and categorise sites on the fly and make an informed decision as to what risks are associated with accessing them, and are now clearly the only viable way to manage user access to the web.”

So, expect to see a slew of new products on the market as vendors seek to keep up with the implementation of IPv6.

The opening up of the TLD’s also represents huge potential for anyone interested in domaining - fingers and credit cards at the ready!

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