In the past few decades, the online world has grown in an astounding pace.  The current Internet addressing system, Internet Protocol Version 4 (IPv4), which uses 32-bit (four-byte) addresses and supports approximately 4 billion unique IP addresses, is running out of space. As of January 4th there was less than 3% of address space available.   To continue providing support to an increasing number of connections, a new Internet addressing system, Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6), is being rolled out to networks worldwide.

As a leader in Managed DNS, No-IP is making great strides to ensure our v6 users are well-supported during this transition.  We have already implemented the IPv6 technology on one of our anycast name server clouds with plans to roll-out additional IPv6 support capabilities on all networks throughout 2011.   Our team is dedicated to being at the forefront of this industry-wide transition, and strive to support our users with 100% uptime throughout the use of IPv6 and into future versions of internet protocol.

You wouldn’t leave your bank or credit card statements out on the table, so why should your confidential online activity be any different?   Deleting your browser cookies is always a best practice, but even that will only get you so far.

Here are some quick and easy tips to help safeguard your privacy when surfing online:

1. Use unique passwords for all of your online accounts.   This sounds simple enough, but given the increasing number of accounts we sign up for online, it can be tough advice to follow (especially if you’ve got over 50 passwords to remember).  Quick tip: keep a password protected Excel file of all your account passwords, so you really only have to remember 1 password to access all of your online accounts.
2. Install a reputable browser addon to alert you of potential privacy threats.  It’s easy to miss the fine print when browsing online, and add-ons such as BetterPrivacy (via Firefox) can help alert you to any possible dangers you may have overlooked.
3. Be sure to read through the privacy agreements on all websites, opting out where necessary.  Social media and other free online networking sites are notorious for collecting and distributing your personal information to third parties.  Before signing up for a new account, be sure to read through the privacy agreement and “opt-out” of any permissions or requests to use your information for marketing purposes.
4. Beware of social gaming applications and other freeware services.  Facebook apps such as Farmville, Jungle Jewels, etc. have taken a hit recently due to user complaints regarding privacy.  Before you sign up to play, be sure to read the reviews and fine print.
5. Be careful what information you choose to share with who.  This goes without saying, but it’s easy to forget how many “friends” we’ve added to our social networks that aren’t necessarily our friends.  Before you list your address out for a birthday party or tell people you’ll be out of town for awhile with an unattended house, double check who’s on the receiving end of that message and tailor it appropriately.
6. Look for SSL certificates on websites (especially e-commerce sites).  When making a purchase online or sharing confidential information such as SSN #s, DOBs, etc. make sure the website has a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate.  This ensures the information you share with the site is secure and will not be compromised.

With these few tips put to practice, you’ll be well on your way to a safer, more spam-free and secure online experience.

2000-2010 brought about some rapid advances in enterprise technology.  From cloud computing to SaaS, small and large businesses alike became equipped with cheaper, more efficient programs to conduct their operations.  Improvements in web technology and the increased availability of information leveled the playing field for start-ups, entrepreneurs and virtual companies to compete with the “big guys” as an era of “collaboration” and “wikis” took the world by storm.   Employees and business owners chose to work smarter rather than harder as competition in the service industry skyrocketed.  And as Thomas Friedman predicted so eloquently, the world got flatter, and in this new world we developed new markets that spanned both coast and country lines.  The ability of businesses to evolve on pace with technology quickly determined their success or demise, as departments that once had no tangent with IT found themselves reliant on it for daily operations.

It’s been an exciting decade of advancement and accomplishment in the ever-expanding field of web technology– a field that lies at the core of many businesses operating in many industries.  No-IP  is proud to be equipped with the latest systems and infrastructure to power these companies, and we look forward to what the next 10 years has in store for us.

New to our Managed DNS service?  Be sure to read through our Getting Started Guide and watch the video below for some helpful tips and guidance:

Getting Started with No-IP

2010 has brought some exciting changes for us at No-IP.   In case you missed out on the big news, here’s a quick rundown of our top headlines from 2010:

We moved!  Earlier this year, we moved into a new office space in downtown Reno.  In addition to giving us more space to serve our clients, we’re situated in a more central location and only a few miles from Reno-Tahoe International Airport.

We reached 10 million users.  That’s right!  This Fall, we reached the 10  million milestones.  And to say thank you to all of our customers- both new and old- for their continued support over the years, we offered substantial savings off our Plus and Enhanced packages.

We expanded our network.  For many people, their website, FTP, or email service is the lifeblood of their day-to-day operations.  But without multiple server locations, these services can easily be disrupted.  With 10 unique server locations situated across the globe, we’re making sure your services are running as you intend when you intend them to.  And as a result, we’re proud to say that we’ve maintained a 100% DNS uptime during our 11-year history.

We’re looking forward to more exciting changes in the year to come, and hope you’ll be along to join us for the ride 🙂

According to a 2009 survey conducted by Harris Interactive, nearly half of all consumers say they have terminated or abandoned their online order due to security fears.   With the risk of credit card or other personal information being compromised, it is more important than ever to safeguard your website to increase consumer trust.

Below are a few tips to exercise which can help establish consumer trust with your online customer base:

• Choose a quality site design. Consider how authentic or official your site design appears to consumers.  Does it have the same quality as other larger retailers?  Is it easy to use?  Are all of the links and navigation working properly?  All of these factors can impact how trustworthy your site is to potential shoppers.
• Display positive customer testimonials, awards, and recognitions.  Showcasing positive third party feedback helps to establish a sense of trust and makes potential customers feel comfortable purchasing from you.
• Clearly, publish your shipping and return policies.  Most negative customer feedback results from poor customer service after a sale has taken place.  Make sure you prominently display a fair and equitable policy for shipping and returns.  It will help potential customers understand what they can expect in service once they make their purchase.
• Purchase an SSL certificate. An SSL (secure sockets layer) certificate ensures your customers’ information is safe/encrypted during transit to a third-party site and is what many consumers look for before deciding to make a purchase online.   They are relatively affordable and can make or break your e-commerce site.
• Join the Better Business Bureau.  A BBB seal on your website lets customers know that you are an ethical business owner who services the needs of its customers.

With these few starter tips, your shoppers will feel more comfortable purchasing products from your site and you’ll be well on your way to receiving increased sales and positive customer feedback

DNS lies at the heart of every user activity with the internet, and choosing a DNS service provider can make or break your experience.

What qualities do you look for in a DNS service provider?

Take our survey

Last weekend, many holiday shoppers and deal snatchers skipped the Black Friday store crowds by opting for e-commerce.   Their decisions paid off  for retailers, with Cyber Monday sales surging nearly 20 percent from last year.  The benefits for consumers and retailers alike are easy to see.  Gone are the days when consumers must travel area and zip codes to find that perfect gift in stock– if the company has it, it will be in stock online.  And retailers can now enjoy extended sales hours without keeping staff on the payroll, resulting in higher profits with less expense– great for the bottom line.

Sounds easy enough, but is it?

As holiday shopping trends continue to migrate from physical to virtual, we often forget the important role that technology plays in providing us with online shopping options.  On the backend, businesses must ensure their websites are hosted with reliable DNS and backup servers to handle both the influx of incoming traffic and prevent security breach.

According to Chuck Kisselburg of CircleID, the most resilient form of DNS infrastructure should include:

1) An infrastructure incorporating diversity among DNS platforms which include a mix of open source and non-open source platforms.

2) A platform incorporating high levels of security, thus helping citizens develop greater confidence in benefiting from greater options, convenience and savings associated with online purchases.

3) A platform optimized for capacity so as to comfortably handle extremely large volumes of traffic without fear of an infrastructure collapsing under the weight of such levels of traffic.

Fortunately, No-IP DNS service is positioned to provide all the security, reliability and capacity needed by e-commerce sites to ensure their holiday traffic doesn’t skip a beat.  And what’s more?  It’s completely affordable.  This holiday season, whether you’re running an e-commerce site or holiday shopping for others, the decision to give the gift of reliable DNS has never been easier.

* Data by Coremetrics

In the spirit of Thanksgiving tomorrow, we thought it would be fitting to pay tribute to DDNS service by highlighting all the wonderful things it’s allowed our users to do over the years.

Here are just a few of the most holiday-appropriate reasons to be thankful for Dynamic DNS:

1) On a cold, snowy morning, you can be working productively from home in your PJs and slippers.

2) You can play all the new video games you bought on Black Friday with friends and family located across the country.

3) Thanks to remote security camera access, the Christmas gifts you’ve been stashing all year will stay safe if you’re eating Turkey out of town.

4) You can place those last minute bets on holiday football games, knowing the websites are hosted reliably and can handle the surge in traffic.

5) Sales teams will have dependable access to POS devices, which means you don’t have to wait in line all weekend to purchase all of your great deals.

All of that reliability with a fast and easy set-up.  If you’re not using a DDNS host provider, set aside some time over the holiday weekend to check it out.