The .su domain is a country code top-level domain (ccTLD) that was originally designated for the Soviet Union. Despite the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, the .su domain remains in use today, primarily serving organizations, individuals, and entities with historical ties to the former Soviet states.
The .su domain was created on September 19, 1990, during the late stages of the Soviet Union. It was initiated by the Soviet government as a means to establish a digital presence for the USSR on the internet. The domain was intended to represent the Soviet Union and its various institutions, organizations, and citizens.
Today, the .su domain is managed by the Russian Institute for Public Networks (RIPN). The administration of the domain is overseen by various national and international bodies, including the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), which regulates domain name systems globally.
Registration for .su domains is open to anyone, with no specific restrictions on citizenship or location. However, registrants must comply with the policies set forth by the managing organization. The procedure for obtaining a .su domain typically involves the following steps:
The .su domain supports Internationalized Domain Names (IDN), allowing for a wider range of characters beyond the standard ASCII set. The technical specifications for .su domains include:
The .su domain has faced challenges related to abuse, including spam and phishing activities. To combat these issues, various protective measures have been implemented:
The .su domain has seen fluctuating registration numbers over the years. As of October 2023, there are approximately 100,000 registered .su domains. The cost of registration and renewal typically ranges from $10 to $30 per year, depending on the registrar. Additionally, premium domains within the .su zone may be available at higher prices, reflecting their perceived value.