Network-solutions-is-run-by-mindless-monkeys.com
Written on 9th January 2008
15 COMMENTS 
Ernst-Jan Pfauth, editor in chief
Eleven hours ago, Reddit user geeeeoffff went to Network Solutions, a web hosting and domain company. Probably to host a domain or something. Yet, he found out that when he checked a domain on its availability, Network Solutions automatically registered it. This is what the, probably amazed, Reddit user posted:
REDDIT GAMES: this company registers any domain name checked. Lets search for long strings of random letters and numbers!!! over 20 characters long should do it. (networksolutions.com)
You can imagine what happens next: hundreds of Reddit users started checking the weirdest and offensive domain names. You want some examples? You’ll get some! Beware, some are not suitable for your cubicle:
- Network-solutions-is-run-by-mindless-monkeys.com
- Jesusloveseverybodyincludingthegays.com
- Ifyoucouldseethesizeofthisbuttplgihaveinrightnow.com
- Networksolutionsisstaffedbyterrorists.com
- Coca-cola-offers-billion-dollar-bounty-to-kill-george-bush.com
Some are pushing it a bit far though. Yet this only shows what kind of consequences this script by Network Solutions has.
The guys from Network Solutions seem to be pretty fast, according to Geekner, who checked the domain Ipickedthisnamebecauseitiscompletelyrandomandhasnumbers2.com. “It went from available to taken by NS in less than a minute.”
What Networks Solutions probably does, is called front running. This November, Nominet published a position paper on this matter. Here’s their definition:
Domain Name Front Running (DNFR) is a technique believed to exist, but so far unproved, whereby one person monitors the activity of a second person who is planning to register a domain name and the first person then registers the domain name before the second person.
Network Solutions already reacted on the front running accusations. Jonathon Nevett, Vice President of Policy at Network Solutions rather calls it ‘a security measure to protect our customers’. Moreover, he says that they release the domains after four days.
Which means there are 3,5 days left for this domain…
The Next Web Blog is closely associated with The Next Web Conference which is held annually in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. At this event speakers from all over the world come together to talk about, and show off, the future of the Web. (More info 
[...] weeks ago we brought you the news about Reddit users making fun of Network Solutions’ domain front running. They checked domains [...]
[...] a domain name which you know somebody else is intending to register. Earlier, we reported that Network Solutions automatically registered domain names that people checked for its availability and that Google would make it harder for the front running [...]
[...] company that just loves front running, chances are high they’ll register it for you. Even Network Solutions is has been accused of this practice [...]