new gtlds A .XYZ Disaster Story

[Arpit131]

A client recently purchased a .XYZ domain for an application that they were developing. Everything was working fine until today when suddenly the domain stopped resolving. It just so happens that in their infinite wisdom the .XYZ registry had decided to suspend the domain. So what actually happened?

When you sign-up for a .XYZ domain name you are coming under the terms and conditions of the registry. A part of the terms is they have the right to suspend a domain if they deem the domain is being used for inappropriate reasons. The stated goal is to keep the .XYZ namespace safe…..sounds interesting.

Here’s the problem. For the domain in question SpamHaus, Google Safebrowsing, SURBL, URIBL (all recommended by the registry) flagged the domain as safe. Virus Total has 68 sub-organisations that they relate to and one of these organisations flagged the domain for possible phishing reasons.

Why was this the case? It just so happens that at some time the domain had been sent to advertising networks and I’m guessing that one of these networks may have had a problem with a “spam advertiser”. This sometimes happens and the networks immediately kick these types of advertisers out. In the case of the .XYZ domain this resulted in it being banned.

What was really annoying is that neither the registry nor the registrar communicated anything like, “I think you may have problems with your domain. If you don’t do something, then we’ll have to suspend it.”


This incident was shared by Michael Gilmour on his blog

 

[venkatvenz]

Basically, there are many ways to get this domain unsuspended. The registry will never contact the domain registrant directly to inform about the issues with the domain. Its the responsibility of the registrar or the registry to notify prior with an email stating the reason for suspension.

But before all that kindly let me know what is the EPP status code of the domain. If the status is #server hold
or any other status starting with the term #server which means that registry have placed the suspension which basically means they have pulled off the domain from the zone that's why it would not resolve.

In this case contact the registrar and ask for a solution, since you have paid for the service and their is no prior notice given you can demand for an explanation. Even though the terms and conditions of the registrar says that they can take action any time still as per RAA 2013 its must to notify the registrant contact before suspending the domain.

Also, if you get further updates from the registrar kindly let us know in this thread as well since we too will get enlightened about the situation and how to handle it further.

Regards
Venkatesh

 

[dommmain]

Same happened to me with a few .xyz domains that were still parked and never used (so there was no valid reason at all). I also did not get notified about the suspension.
Also, the .xyz registry does not respond back in my experience.
Luckily the registrar was eventually able to solve it with the .xyz registry.
Crazy though how easy these things happen, this somehow shows how trustworthy the business is with the nTLDs.

 

[kerala]

same happened to me with .xyz names. I am behind this issue for more than 2 months, still not solved. Contacted registry/registrar several times and always got same answer, find below...

"Thank you for opening a support ticket with the XYZ Anti-Abuse Team.

If you have submitted a .xyz domain that you believe to be abusive, our team will investigate the domain and take action if we find it be in violation of our anti-abuse policies.

If you have questions about why your .xyz domain has been suspended or need help unsuspending your domain, please follow the 3 easy steps onwww.gen.xyz/unsuspend. If you have completed these steps, please respond to this ticket with evidence of delisting by ALL blacklists and we will confirm once your domain has been unsuspended.

For all other inquiries, please respond to this ticket with detailed information to receive a timely response."

I completed the steps as per their email and still they sent me the same reply!!!

I registered the names (2 names) in 2016 and parked the domains under uniregistry/dns and no chance for illegal/spamming activities. I explained everything to registry and my registrar, but they sent same replies to me.

The same thing happened before, where the registrar was resellerclub. I sent email to them and they checked the issue and replied to me as follows,and unsuspended the name.

"Hello,

We do see that the spamming instance happened before the domain got under your control.

At the time of spamming the domain was registered with name.com. However since we received the complaint now we notified you.

The domain and its services are active from our end. Furthermore, since you assure us that the necessary precautionary measures are taken from your end, we mark this issue closed.

Regards,
PDR Abuse Desk"

 

[GoKaizen]

http://tenghamn.com/error-aao-xyz-idn-domains-majority-registrars

 

[deez007]

I think this is likely to become a common occurrence with .xyz domains. Primarily because of their short sighted marketing tactics. When they allowed $0.99 registrations.....

Assuming loads of these domains would have been grabbed up by spammers...who obviously wont be renewing the domains come time for renewal...

 

[dordomai]

the problem is that .xyz has this silly marketing tactic where they need to pretend they are #1 because they have more registrations than anyone else.

Of course they can only be first if they give away their domains which leads them to become spam infested.

Now they have the choice to fight the spam or go downhill with it. At least they try to fight it but this will obviously hurt innocent registrants.

Let's be realistic. .xyz is for personal blogs or redirects to your twitter accounts not for a serious website.

If you can not afford to pay more than $1 you will of course not care about the quality of the service that you are getting.

I think this is likely to become a common occurrence with .xyz domains. Primarily because of their short sighted marketing tactics. When they allowed $0.99 registrations.....

they are still at $0.99 at many registrars. The amazing thing is that despite that they don't grow much anymore. Now they are stuck with that price if they want to keep their registrations.

 

[fuzzy]

It's a shame this is happening. .xyz is one of the very few gtld I like.

 

[mad409]

It 's apparent that they had an issue with the site and their site was flagged. Why is this?

Quote: Why was this the case? It just so happens that at some time the domain had been sent to advertising networks and I’m guessing that one of these networks may have had a problem with a “spam advertiser”.

What really confuses me within the owners comment, the site was in development. Why would there be any advertising going on?

A client recently purchased a .XYZ domain for an application that they were developing.

The owner also states this, quote: "If you’re looking at your .XYZ domain portfolio and parking them then I’d think again."

Why would he/she even bring this up? I have no issues with parking xyz domains, or was this the blogger posting this comment?

XYZ is one of the best to communicate with, more to this story than being told for sure...

 

[dordomai]

here the keywords suggestions from Wordtracker.com for the keywords "xyz domain"

domain corrector xyz corr 2
xyz domain scam 2
xyz domain 2

here the related searches from Google for "xyz domain":

xyz domain meaning
xyz domain review
xyz domain extension
xyz domain wiki
xyz domain registration
xyz domain spam
dot xyz domain
xyz domain search

$1 regs attract a lot of scammers and spammers which degrade the value of the extension.

The owner also states this, quote: "If you’re looking at your .XYZ domain portfolio and parking them then I’d think again."

It's quite simple. Zero-click can forward web traffic to questionable advertisers(malware) which could get you flagged. Some parking companies respond to email to parked domains with an email full of ads. This could get you flagged as well. etc. etc.