The proliferation of temporary websites being set up by criminals is a growing threat, according to web security firm MessageLabs. "Disposable domains are becoming a larger problem via a tactic known as 'domain kiting' in which cyber-criminals acquire domains without paying for them and use them for illegal gains," said Mark Sunner, chief technology officer at MessageLabs.
During the month of April 2006, a little more than 35 million domain names were registered. Of these names, 32.7 million were used – most again and again – but never permanently registered. These 32.7 million names were part of a scheme – a growing abuse of the domain system — one I wrote about in my last blog article. It’s an outrageous practice. I used to call it the add/drop scheme. After thinking about it, I think the name “add/drop” sanitizes the practice too much, so I’ve decided to call it something closer to what is actually taking place. The name I’ve decided upon is “domain kiting.”
