Transfer secret
Encyclopedia
Transfer secret is a domain
transfer secret (transfer key), a key or code granted by all the domain name registrars for various gTLDs and possibly some ccTLDs, including .com
and .net
domains. Whether a ccTLD needs a code is generally up to the ccTLD's national authority. This code is used as a protection mechanism, to ensure that only the rightful domain owner can control the transfer of the domain registration. Domain names are valuable and important, and theft has been a problem. The official domain contact information is sometimes not current or correct, or may be privacy-protected, but in any event is not very useful to control transfers because administration of domains is done remotely, via the Internet.
The code is officially called an AuthInfo Code and an Auth-Info code by ICANN and registry operators. It is alternatively called an auth code, a transfer key, a transfer secret, an EPP code, EPP authentication code, or EPP authorization code. See Extensible Provisioning Protocol
.
The code supports transferring any domain in the above top-level domains from one Registrar to another. If the code is not provided, then those domains generally cannot be transferred. The code helps identify the domain name holder; it does not constitute transfer approval.
Transfers take place within ten days, but usually less than five days.
When getting a new registrar, it is prudent to locate the auth-info code and procedure early. Registrars may assume your only interest in the code is so you can take your business away, and might impede your getting your code when you have only a few days left before losing your domain. They might call the code something else (foiling searches), leave it off FAQs, and ignore your emails, and resellers may be even less helpful. Find out in the beginning and keep this important information safe and secure (at the risk that they'll change the method but at least you'll have a starting point). Internic can be used to file complaints if needed, but ICANN does not resolve individual customer complaints. No centralized Internet authority effectively resolves end-user problems. Due diligence before selecting a registrar is important.
However, each registrar handles the Transfer-Out process differently, and in some cases will only supply the code at the time it is needed. Because registrars discourage transfers out, it may be necessary to pretend to start the process in order to learn the particular details.http://www.moniker.com/news/vol6/v6art5.jsp
In order to successfully transfer a domain, it is vital to remember how to login with the registrar, and to ensure that the registered admin contact email is current and working. There is typically a transfer domain lock mechanism within the administration interface at the registrar, which must be unlocked for a successful transfer.
Registry operators may have their own provisions in agreements with registrars; those agreements may be posted on operators' websites.
Registrars may also use additional Transaction Auth Codes, e.g. to validate transactions such as allowing a domain to be pushed into one account from another account, within the registrar.http://www.moniker.com/help/faq-popup-transaction-auth-code.jsp
Domain name
A domain name is an identification string that defines a realm of administrative autonomy, authority, or control in the Internet. Domain names are formed by the rules and procedures of the Domain Name System ....
transfer secret (transfer key), a key or code granted by all the domain name registrars for various gTLDs and possibly some ccTLDs, including .com
.com
The domain name com is a generic top-level domain in the Domain Name System of the Internet. Its name is derived from commercial, indicating its original intended purpose for domains registered by commercial organizations...
and .net
.net
The domain name net is a generic top-level domain used in the Domain Name System of the Internet. The name is derived from network, indicating its originally intended purpose for organizations involved in networking technologies, such as Internet service providers and other infrastructure companies...
domains. Whether a ccTLD needs a code is generally up to the ccTLD's national authority. This code is used as a protection mechanism, to ensure that only the rightful domain owner can control the transfer of the domain registration. Domain names are valuable and important, and theft has been a problem. The official domain contact information is sometimes not current or correct, or may be privacy-protected, but in any event is not very useful to control transfers because administration of domains is done remotely, via the Internet.
The code is officially called an AuthInfo Code and an Auth-Info code by ICANN and registry operators. It is alternatively called an auth code, a transfer key, a transfer secret, an EPP code, EPP authentication code, or EPP authorization code. See Extensible Provisioning Protocol
Extensible Provisioning Protocol
The Extensible Provisioning Protocol is a flexible protocol designed for allocating objects within registries over the Internet.The motivation for the creation of EPP was to create a robust and flexible protocol that could provide communication between domain name registries and domain name...
.
- "This is official notification that the RRP Protocol has been decommissioned from the Com/Net Production Environments during scheduled maintenance on October 28, 2006... All Transfer requests submitted after October 28 will require AuthInfo in order to initiate a transfer request. In the scenario where the domain name does not have an AuthInfo assigned the Losing Registrar must assign an AuthInfo code before the Gaining Registrar can initiate the transfer request."http://www.moniker.com/help/epp-advisory.jsp
The code supports transferring any domain in the above top-level domains from one Registrar to another. If the code is not provided, then those domains generally cannot be transferred. The code helps identify the domain name holder; it does not constitute transfer approval.
Transfers take place within ten days, but usually less than five days.
When getting a new registrar, it is prudent to locate the auth-info code and procedure early. Registrars may assume your only interest in the code is so you can take your business away, and might impede your getting your code when you have only a few days left before losing your domain. They might call the code something else (foiling searches), leave it off FAQs, and ignore your emails, and resellers may be even less helpful. Find out in the beginning and keep this important information safe and secure (at the risk that they'll change the method but at least you'll have a starting point). Internic can be used to file complaints if needed, but ICANN does not resolve individual customer complaints. No centralized Internet authority effectively resolves end-user problems. Due diligence before selecting a registrar is important.
However, each registrar handles the Transfer-Out process differently, and in some cases will only supply the code at the time it is needed. Because registrars discourage transfers out, it may be necessary to pretend to start the process in order to learn the particular details.http://www.moniker.com/news/vol6/v6art5.jsp
In order to successfully transfer a domain, it is vital to remember how to login with the registrar, and to ensure that the registered admin contact email is current and working. There is typically a transfer domain lock mechanism within the administration interface at the registrar, which must be unlocked for a successful transfer.
Registry operators may have their own provisions in agreements with registrars; those agreements may be posted on operators' websites.
Registrars may also use additional Transaction Auth Codes, e.g. to validate transactions such as allowing a domain to be pushed into one account from another account, within the registrar.http://www.moniker.com/help/faq-popup-transaction-auth-code.jsp
See also
- Domain name registrarDomain name registrarA domain name registrar is an organization or commercial entity, accredited by both ICANN and generic top-level domain registry to sell gTLDs and/or by a country code top-level domain registry to sell ccTLDs; to manage the reservation of Internet domain names in accordance with the guidelines of...
- Domain name registryDomain name registryA domain name registry is a database of all domain names registered in a top-level domain. A registry operator, also called a network information center , is the part of the Domain Name System of the Internet that keeps the database of domain names, and generates the zone files which convert...
- Domain name scamsDomain name scamsDomain name scams are types of Intellectual property scams or confidence scams in which unscrupulous domain name registrars attempt to generate revenue by tricking businesses into buying, listing or converting a domain name. The Office of Fair Trading has outlined 2 types of domain name scams...
- Domain name systemDomain name systemThe Domain Name System is a hierarchical distributed naming system for computers, services, or any resource connected to the Internet or a private network. It associates various information with domain names assigned to each of the participating entities...