Just a quick word to the wise: AVOID NETWORK SOLUTIONS LIKE THE PLAGUE.
Sorry if I’m being a bit dramatic, but I tend to get a bit sensitive over companies that behave badly the way Network Solutions is. The DomainTools blog is covering the shady tactics that NetSol is now employing. It appears now that when you search for an available domain name at netsol.com, if the domain is unregistered NetSol will register it within minutes!
They will place a 4-day hold on the domain and then release it back into the wild. The major problem with this tactic is that it:
- Forces you to buy the domain from Network Solutions (they are expensive compared to most)
- Makes the domain you wanted available to any number of domain tasters and generally anyone watching expiring domain name lists waiting for good ones to drop.
If you lose a good domain name this way, the odds are against you that you’ll manage to recover it without having to buy it from Network Solutions.
I tried this just 10 minutes ago with a not-so-nice domain name with a few numbers thrown in. I made sure it wasn’t registered. I checked it’s availability on NetSol.com, and within 5 minutes it had been registered by Network Solutions. Unbelievable.
I’ve lost domain names by not registering them fast enough in the past, but this is to the extreme.
I have to admit, I’m a sucker for gadgets. Especially ones that use super secret complex algorithms to generate numbers that protect my online bank account.
Every 30 seconds, this compact device generates a new 6-digit code that is used to log in to my PayPal account. The algorithm is tied to a unique device id, so only numbers generated from my device will work.
I’m not sure exactly how small it is, but the PayPal website claims you can easily fit it on your keychain.
The cost is $5 and shipping takes about 10 days. I’ve already ordered mine and will post a follow-up on my experience with it.
Is it wrong that I’m doing this as much for the “wow” factor as I am the added security? What’s next–wireless thumb scanners?
