Overview of the .it Domain Zone
The .it domain is the country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Italy. It is primarily intended for entities associated with Italy, including individuals, businesses, and organizations. The .it domain serves as a digital identity for Italian entities, promoting national presence on the internet.
Historical Context
The .it domain was created in 1987, during the early days of the internet, as Italy began to establish its presence online. The initiative for the .it domain was led by the Italian National Research Council (CNR), which recognized the need for a dedicated domain to represent Italy in the growing global internet landscape.
Administration
Today, the .it domain is managed by Registro .it, which is operated by the CNR. The registration process and policies are overseen by the Italian Ministry of Economic Development, ensuring compliance with national regulations. Additionally, the domain is subject to oversight by international organizations such as ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers).
Registration Policy
Registration of .it domains is open to a wide range of applicants. Here are the key points regarding registration:
- Eligibility: Any individual or organization can register a .it domain, provided they have a valid presence in Italy.
- Restrictions: There are no specific restrictions based on citizenship; however, registrants must provide a local administrative contact in Italy.
- Registration Procedure: The registration process involves selecting a domain name, checking its availability, and submitting an application through an accredited registrar. The application must include valid identification and, if applicable, proof of business registration.
Technical Parameters
The .it domain has specific technical characteristics:
- IDN Support: The .it domain supports Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs), allowing for the registration of domain names in various languages and scripts.
- Allowed Length: Domain names can range from 3 to 63 characters.
- Permitted Characters: The .it domain allows letters (a-z), numbers (0-9), and hyphens (-), but cannot start or end with a hyphen.
- DNS Features: The .it domain utilizes standard DNS protocols and supports DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extensions) for enhanced security.
Reputation and Security
The .it domain has faced challenges related to abuse, including spam and phishing attempts. However, measures have been implemented to mitigate these issues:
- Abuse Prevention: Registro .it actively monitors registrations and employs mechanisms to address reported abuses.
- Security Measures: The implementation of DNSSEC helps protect against certain types of attacks, ensuring the integrity of the domain's DNS records.
Commercial Metrics
The .it domain has shown significant growth in terms of registrations:
- Registration Dynamics: As of October 2023, there are over 3 million registered .it domains, reflecting a steady increase in popularity.
- Cost of Registration: The average cost for registering a .it domain ranges from €10 to €30 per year, depending on the registrar and any additional services offered.
- Premium Domains: Certain .it domains are classified as premium and may be priced higher due to their desirability and market demand.