LinkMoney.org

Do NOT buy any of the following list (small partial list,) of domain names that have been offered recently.

Problems.com
Mistake.com
Enroll.com
Damaged.com
Statement.com
Evaluate.com
UnClear.com
Upset.com
Shetty.com
Pleased.com
Returns.com
Suggestion.com
Suggestions.com
Replacement.com
Explanation.com
Explanations.com
Failures.com
Inquiries.com
Apologize.com
Volunteer.com
WebsiteFinder.com

(This is only a partial list of a very long list of extremely valuable domain names.)

Apparently some character who is known and has done this many times before, has struck again.  He has figured some way to hack into someones account and transfer the domains unknown to the rightful owner.

He has even had the audacity to set up a website to offer them for sale, but beware. If the deal sounds too good to be true, IT IS! Do NOT buy them.

Owners and registrars are scrambling to get them returned but it is a big pain in the you know what. The thief evidently is insulated in a foreign country that protects him.

The whole story is told in depth on the Domain Name News website with links to various sources.

Thanks to everyone that read this story and weighed in with your thoughts and suggestions.

The massive outpouring of support for MakeUseOf dot com was phenomenal.  The rightful owner of the blog just made a post that GoDaddy did return it after 24 hours and he said that it would not have happened without the help of all the bloggers and tweeters that kept GoGaddys feet to the flames.

We are very happy that it worked out, and again, thanks for all your support.

Rich Hill

ps:  What do you all think, should MakeUseOf initiate legal action?

This has nothing to do with ICANN the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, but they certainly ought to be involved in a major policy change.

The domain of the very popular website MakeUseOf.com has been STOLEN! This was reported by Daniel Scocco during the night on his Blog DailyBlogTips.com.

The report says that MakeUseOf was being hosted on GoDaddy and that GD allowed the domain to be transfered away from the owner to somewhere in Dubai. GoDaddy no doubt will cover their ass by saying all security terms were met, but I say Bull Shit! Get better security terms!

How can this happen? MakeUseOf has over 20,000 subscribers, I being one, and we all enjoy the tips and free information given out contiuously be MakeUseOf.

This is a Nightmare, a Horror Story fitting for the Halloween season for sure, but sadly true and how will it be resolved?

What would you do if your baby was stolen and taken to a foreign country?

This industry needs better security methods similar to what the online banking industry uses such as, multiple security codes, a primary image associated with the account, two security questions, a mouse pointer select keyboard, and anything else that someone could come up with.

I did notice that one method being offered by some registrars is to limit activity to a specific IP address. That way transfers could only come from one specific computer. That seem like a good idea to me, what do you think?

For now you should make sure that you use DIFFERENT passwords for all of your domains, your administration panels, your hosting company accounts, and so on. Use multiple email addresses for different accounts.

What do you think? Can anyone come up with ideas on how to make this more secure. Lets talk about it. This HAS to be fixed.

Come on GoDaddy, fix this and return MakeUseOf to the rightful owner.

Rich Hill

UPDATE - UPDATE - UPDATE:

MakeUseOf has a temporary home on blogger until this gets fixed.  go there and give them your support.

http://makeuseof-temporary.blogspot.com/2008/11/make-use-ofs-temporary-home.html