Max,

From what I've been reading, it seems that anyone, either good or bad - can
be a registrar. Code of conduct? Bah - ain't happening... :-s

Sure - it sounds like a nice idea, and some people like to believe in it.
But - well I won't say anything more on that line of thinking, but I have a
very pessimistic outlook on CoC on the Net.

In your case, well, I'm not sure what you'de do. Are you sure the email
wasn't sent with PGP or any other ID authentication or encryption? As yet, I
haven't recieved any emails of that sort - as I haven't owned any domains
long enough.

Although in my case it'de be a matter of minutes for me to contact my REAL
registrar and find out if they really did send a request for my registry
key....

hth m8 :-)

 - SnooP

----- Original Message -----
From: "Sylvester Max" <maxs&#167;studentmail.dis.unimelb.edu.au>
To: <dns&#167;lists.auda.org.au>
Sent: Wednesday, March 20, 2002 8:24 PM
Subject: [DNS] INTERNET NAME GROUP - UNSOLICITED RENEWAL NOTICE REQUESTS
REGISTR Y KEY


> I have received several letters from a company claiming to be a
> "Provisionally Accredited .com.au Registrar". Normally, such mail would go
> straight to the bin, however I recently attended a seminar at Melbourne
> University which highlighted the unethical nature of companies like
> "Internet Name Group", so I decided to read it. I found the contents to be
> deliberately misleading and deceitful, and it is of great concern to me
that
> such a company could become an "Accredited .com.au Registrar"
>
> 1.   The Renewal Notice highlighted the fact that Internet Name Group are
a
> "Provisionally Accredited .com.au Registrar"
> 2.   It states that if I do not renew my domain name it may be deleted
> 3.   It included an "Authorisation to Re-issue Registry Key for com.au
> Domain Name" Form
> 4.   It also included step by step instructions on how to complete the
> abovementioned re-issue of registry key form.
>
> The Renewal Notice provided the following explanation as to why completion
> of the re-issue of registry key form was required:
>
>     "Due to the recent changes in .com.au renewal procedure, and for the
> security of your domain name,  you are now required to provide your
registry
> key to renew your domain name and update your contact details.
>
> Is this correct? Do I need to supply my registry key to affect renewal of
my
> domain name? I have not had any previous dealings with Internet Name
Group.
> I am a sole proprietor so it is impossible that any member of my staff
could
> have requested a renewal from Internet Name Group as I do not have any
> staff. This seems like business solicitation in it's purest form.
>
> At uni we are taught that IS professionals should not misuse the skills
they
> have learnt for underhandedly obtaining information, and that people's
> privacy should be respected. An example was made of companies that send
> renewal notices for domain names that look like invoices,but I didn't
> realise that one of the companies involved was (or claims to be) an
> Accredited .com.au Registrar.
>
> Are there current stats on how many consumers are affected by this
practice?
> Where did this company get my details from? Are they really an accredited
> registrar? Why would an accredited registrar send me a deceptive
unsolicited
> renewal advice?
>
> All comments appreciated.
>
> Kind Regards,
>
> Max Sylvester
> (University Student and part time IT support)
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
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