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Top 10 Domain Name Survival Tactics

When it comes to protecting your domain name — the key to your email and web site address — DTL's top ten secrets can avoid a domain disaster:

1. Make sure your domain contact info is current . . .
   and that you can get into your registrar account. An accurate email address is critical.
2. Lower your shields.
   If your email software has a junk mail filter, make sure messages from your registrar can bypass it.
3. Put your expiration date on your calendar.
   Renewal notices can get overlooked or caught in spam filters. If your domain expires, you could lose access to your email, web site, and worse, your entire domain name!
4. Lock your domain.
   Locking your domain prevents unauthorized transfers (domain hijacking). If your registrar doesn't offer this feature, transfer to one that does.
5. Assign DTL's Hostmaster as your Technical Contact.
   This gives your domain a secondary email address for critical notices. With some registrars, like Network Solutions, DTL also has the ability to update your domain's DNS records.
6. Save your registrar login details with DTL.
   If you forget your password, DTL can help you get back into your domain account quickly, a lifesaver if password recovery attempts fail. The alternative is suffering through the registrar's lengthy fax-based process to validate your identity.
7. Buy domains directly from the registrar.
   Third-party resellers mark up the cost and can assert administrative control over your domain. Establish an account directly with a reputable registrar to reap the savings and maintain total ownership.
8. Choose a decent registrar.
   This makes all the difference should trouble arise. DTL has good experience with some. Others, including a few big names, have poor web tools, glacial customer service, or their transfer policies are hostile.
9. Don't wait to transfer.
   Transfers extend your registration period so no time is lost. Waiting until it is too late, however, forces you to renew with your old registrar before you can transfer to another.
10. Allow DTL to assist with transfers.
    Moving a domain can be a tricky process, but DTL can do this for you and save you the grief.

Need help with any of these items? Just ask!

SBC/Yahoo! DSL May Start Blocking Your Email

In an effort to prevent spamming by their residential customers, access providers routinely block connections to SMTP servers they do not operate. Now, a few ISPs are filtering their business customers' access, often without notice. Unfiltered access was once a key feature of business-grade service, but that may be a benefit broadband providers are rethinking.

An SMTP server is used whenever you send an email message. DTL protects its servers from unauthorized use by requiring customers to provide a user name and password, a security feature called SMTP Authentication. However, misconfigured SMTP servers and virus-infected PCs are routinely used by spammers to distribute junk mail. By filtering connections, ISPs stop subscribers from abusing these unsecured servers. Unfortunately, this prevents legitimate, authenticated access to DTL's outbound mail servers.

SBC/Yahoo! DSL residential and business customers are advised to proactively change their email software so they can access their DTL accounts without being blocked. The change requires updating your email software settings to use an alternate SMTP port: 587 (instead of the standard port 25). You can then connect to DTL's SMTP servers from any provider— a real convenience for traveling executives.

If you need help changing your email settings, please contact us for assistance.

The Most Important Person at DTL...

...is you! Your feedback is extremely valuable. If you have questions or suggestions on how DTL can help you succeed online, please contact me.

Sincerely,

Morgan Davis
President, DTL Networx