Immediate and Decisive Actions by 101domain

As a global internet service provider, 101domain is acutely aware of its role in the digital ecosystem and its responsibility to act in accordance with international norms and ethical principles. Effective immediately, we have taken a series of significant steps to address the evolving situation. These actions reflect our commitment to compliance, humanitarian considerations, and maintaining a secure and reliable internet for all.

• Suspension of New Business Operations for Customers in Russia:

  101domain has enacted a comprehensive suspension of all new business operations for customers located within the Russian Federation. This critical measure includes, but is not limited to, the prevention of new account registrations, the refusal of new orders for any of our services (such as domain name registrations, web hosting packages, SSL certificates, and email services), and the inability to transfer existing services into 101domain from other registrars or providers. This decision aligns with the spirit of international sanctions and our ethical responsibility to not facilitate the expansion of digital infrastructure that could indirectly support or benefit the entities involved in the conflict. We understand that this may pose challenges for individuals and businesses within Russia, but it is a necessary step taken in response to the severe geopolitical circumstances.

• Moratorium on New Registrations and Transfers of Russian Domain Names:

  In a further significant step, we have implemented a complete moratorium on all new registrations and transfer-in requests for domain names specifically associated with the Russian Federation. This encompasses a broad range of country code top-level domains (ccTLDs) and other associated domains, ensuring that 101domain does not contribute to the growth or expansion of new digital presences linked to the conflict-affected region. The affected domain extensions include:

  • .ru
  • .com.ru
  • .net.ru
  • .org.ru
  • .pp.ru
  • .msk.ru
  • .spb.ru
  • .рф (.xn--p1ai – Cyrillic IDN for Russian Federation)
  • .МОСКВА (.xn--80adxhks – Cyrillic IDN for Moscow)
  • .рус (.xn--p1acf – Cyrillic IDN for Rus)
  • .дети (.xn--d1acj3b – Cyrillic IDN for Children)
  • .su (Soviet Union)
  • .tatar

  This measure specifically targets the initiation of new digital assets within these namespaces, reinforcing our adherence to international policies and our commitment to responsible internet governance during this critical period.

• Continuation of Existing Service Renewals – Subject to Immediate Change:

  For the time being, 101domain will continue to process renewals for existing services held by customers located in Russia. This decision is made with careful consideration to minimize immediate disruption to legitimate existing users who rely on these services for essential communication, information access, and business continuity. We aim to strike a balance between adhering to international mandates and preventing undue immediate hardship for current clientele. However, it is absolutely vital to understand that this policy is highly dynamic and is subject to immediate change at any time and without prior notice. The volatile nature of the conflict, the ongoing evolution of international sanctions, and potential directives from regulatory bodies, governments, or our upstream registry partners mean that our ability to maintain these services may be impacted at a moment’s notice. We strongly advise all affected customers to regularly monitor our official communications for any updates regarding their services. Your proactive attention to these updates is crucial during this period of uncertainty.

Navigating a Complex Landscape: 101domain’s Guiding Principles

Operating in a globalized world, 101domain recognizes the profound responsibilities that come with managing critical internet infrastructure. The current geopolitical climate presents unprecedented challenges, requiring us to navigate a complex interplay of humanitarian concerns, legal obligations, and the imperative to maintain a stable digital environment. Our decisions are made after rigorous deliberation, always with an eye towards integrity, transparency, and responsible corporate citizenship. We acknowledge the far-reaching implications these measures can have on individuals and businesses, and we do not undertake them lightly. Our dedicated teams are continuously monitoring the evolving situation, collaborating closely with our global partners, and adapting our policies as necessary to remain compliant with international law while striving to minimize unintended consequences where ethically possible.

We extend our sincere gratitude for your continued trust and business during these exceptionally difficult times. Our commitment to delivering reliable service and supporting our diverse global customer base remains unwavering, even as we make necessary adjustments in response to external geopolitical pressures and mandates.

RELATED ARTICLE: DDOS & Cyber Security Recommendations for 101domain Clients

Heightened Cybersecurity Threats: Fortifying Your Digital Defenses

The ongoing geopolitical conflict has unfortunately ushered in a significant and alarming escalation in cyberattacks, targeting organizations and individuals across the globe. Businesses of all sizes, regardless of their direct involvement or perceived relevance to the conflict, face increased risks from a spectrum of cyber threats, including sophisticated Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, advanced phishing campaigns, ransomware, malware, and other forms of cyber warfare. Protecting your digital infrastructure, sensitive data, and online presence has never been more critically important.

Understanding the Evolving Threat Landscape

During periods of global instability, malicious actors and state-sponsored groups often exploit heightened tensions to launch coordinated cyber operations. These attacks aim to disrupt essential services, steal intellectual property or sensitive information, sow discord, and inflict financial damage. DDoS attacks, in particular, are designed to overwhelm your website or server with an avalanche of traffic, rendering your services inaccessible to legitimate users. Simultaneously, phishing and social engineering tactics become more refined and deceptive, attempting to trick employees into divulging critical credentials or installing malicious software. The consequences of such breaches can be devastating, leading to significant financial losses, irreparable reputational damage, and prolonged operational downtime.

101domain’s Essential Cybersecurity Recommendations for Clients

As a leading provider of domain names and internet services, 101domain strongly urges all its clients to proactively review and substantially bolster their cybersecurity defenses. Taking decisive, preventative measures now is your most effective strategy against these evolving threats. We have compiled a list of essential recommendations and resources to help you protect your business and digital assets:

• Implement Robust DDoS Protection: DDoS attacks can severely cripple your online presence, causing significant downtime and revenue loss. Solutions like Cloudflare, which many 101domain clients already leverage, offer advanced mitigation capabilities that effectively filter malicious traffic, ensuring your website and applications remain accessible and performant. Regularly review and optimize your DDoS protection settings to align with your current traffic patterns and threat intelligence.
• Enforce Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Across All Critical Accounts: MFA adds an indispensable layer of security by requiring more than just a password for access. Implement MFA across all critical accounts, including your 101domain client area, email services, server access, and any other administrative panels. This significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access, even if a password is compromised through phishing or other means.
• Maintain Vigilant Software and System Updates: Always ensure that all your operating systems, applications, plugins, content management systems (CMS), and server software are kept fully up-to-date. Software updates frequently include critical security patches designed to address newly discovered vulnerabilities. Neglecting these updates leaves your systems exposed to known exploits that cybercriminals are eager to leverage.
• Develop and Test a Comprehensive Backup and Disaster Recovery Strategy: In the unfortunate event of a cyberattack, data loss can be catastrophic. Implement a rigorous and automated schedule for backing up all critical data, ensuring backups are stored securely, encrypted, and ideally off-site. Crucially, have a tested and well-documented recovery plan in place to swiftly restore services and data if an incident occurs.
• Prioritize Employee Cybersecurity Training and Awareness: Human error remains a leading cause of security breaches. Conduct regular and engaging training sessions for your employees on best practices for cyber hygiene, including how to recognize sophisticated phishing emails, identify suspicious links, understand social engineering tactics, and the importance of creating strong, unique passwords. Foster a robust culture of cybersecurity awareness throughout your organization.
• Implement Proactive Monitoring and Threat Detection: Deploy monitoring tools to detect unusual or suspicious activity on your networks, websites, and applications. Early detection of a potential breach can be the difference between a minor incident and a major crisis, allowing for timely containment and response. Consider utilizing Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems or other threat intelligence services.
• Strengthen Domain Security Settings: Ensure your domain names are secured with registrar lock to prevent unauthorized transfers or modifications. Additionally, consider enabling DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extensions) to protect against DNS spoofing and ensure that your visitors are always directed to your authentic website, safeguarding against malicious redirects.
• Establish a Clear Incident Response Plan: Prepare a clear, actionable plan for how your organization will respond to a cybersecurity incident. This plan should outline specific roles and responsibilities, internal and external communication protocols, and step-by-step procedures for containment, eradication, recovery, and post-incident analysis. Being prepared is half the battle.

For more detailed information and actionable steps to safeguard your digital assets against the evolving landscape of cyber threats, we strongly encourage you to review our dedicated article:

Looking Ahead: Our Enduring Commitment to You

This period is undeniably a very difficult situation for everyone globally, and we wish to express our profound gratitude for your continued business, understanding, and patience. The global landscape remains fluid and unpredictable, and 101domain is unequivocally committed to the continuous monitoring of the situation. We pledge to update this article and communicate any further information or changes in our policies as they become available to us. Our core objective is to ensure transparency and provide maximum clarity during these uncertain times, allowing you to make informed decisions about your digital presence.

Should you have any questions regarding these specific measures, the status of your existing services, or if you require assistance with strengthening your cybersecurity posture, please do not hesitate to reach out to our dedicated and knowledgeable support team. We are here to assist you, provide the guidance you need, and ensure the continuity of your essential online operations.

We firmly believe in the power of a free, open, and secure internet as a force for good. 101domain will continue to work tirelessly towards a future where digital services can be accessed reliably and securely by all, in a world striving for peace and digital resilience.