Domain Terminology Glossary

Two-Factor Authentication. Second verification method for account security.

Top-Level Domain. The last part of a domain after the final dot.

Prevents unauthorized transfers. Same as Registrar Lock.

Time To Live. How long DNS records should be cached, in seconds.

Text Record. Stores text for email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC).

An Address Record that maps a domain name to an IPv4 address. The most common DNS record type.

Maps a domain name to an IPv6 address instead of IPv4.

The secondary market where previously registered domain names are bought and sold.

Authorization code required to transfer a domain between registrars. Also called EPP Code.

A DNS server that holds actual DNS records for a domain.

Automatic payment system that renews domain registrations before expiration.

Service that attempts to register a domain when it becomes available after expiration.

Unique, memorable domain suitable for branding that doesn't necessarily contain keywords.

Country Code Top-Level Domain. A two-letter extension for a specific country (e.g., .uk, .de).

Canonical Name Record. Creates an alias from one domain name to another.

Domain Name System. Translates human-readable domain names into IP addresses.

Time for DNS changes to spread across all nameservers globally, typically 24-48 hours.

DNS Security Extensions. Adds cryptographic signatures to prevent DNS spoofing.

Unauthorized transfer or modification of a domain registration.

Pointing a domain to a placeholder page, often with ads, while not using it.

Registering expired domains the moment they become available using automated systems.

Extensible Provisioning Protocol. Standard protocol for domain registration and transfer.

Authorization code required to transfer a domain. Also called Auth Code.

Codes indicating a domain's state and allowed operations.

A domain not renewed by its owner, entering grace period before deletion.

Period (typically 30-45 days) after expiration when owner can still renew at standard rates.

Generic Top-Level Domain. Global extensions like .com, .net, .org, .app, .io.

Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers. Coordinates the global domain system.

Internationalized Domain Name. Domains with non-ASCII characters.

Mail Exchange Record. Specifies mail servers for a domain.

Server that stores DNS records and responds to domain queries.

Generic TLDs introduced after 2012, like .app, .blog, .shop.

Nameserver Record. Delegates a domain to specific nameservers.

Final status before domain release, typically 5 days. Cannot be recovered.

Domain sold at higher prices due to perceived value or desirable keywords.

Service hiding registrant contact information from WHOIS.

Encoding system representing Unicode characters in ASCII for IDNs.

Registration Data Access Protocol. Modern replacement for WHOIS.

30-day period after grace period for domain recovery, usually with high fees.

Company accredited to sell domain registrations. Examples: Namecheap, GoDaddy.

Security feature preventing unauthorized domain transfers.

Organization operating a TLD and maintaining the master database of domains.

High-security lock at registry level requiring manual verification.

Start of Authority Record. Contains administrative info about a DNS zone.

Domain part of a larger domain. E.g., blog.example.com.

Initial registration period for new TLDs for trademark holders only.

Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy. ICANN's process for trademark disputes.

Protocol and database displaying domain registration information.

Service replacing personal info in WHOIS with proxy details.

Text file containing all DNS records for a domain.