Hostpoint activates DNSSEC for .ch and .li domains to improve internet security in Switzerland
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Rapperswil-Jona (ots)
As Switzerland's leading domain registrar, Hostpoint is participating in a federal program promoting the implementation of the DNSSEC security standard. Over the next few weeks, Hostpoint will be gradually activating DNSSEC for a large proportion of .ch and .li domains. By allowing customers and their website visitors to benefit from better protection against misuse, Hostpoint is doing its part to improve internet security in Switzerland.
At the end of 2020, the Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM) renewed its contract with SWITCH, the registry for .ch and .li domains. The decision was made to ramp up efforts to promote the signing of .ch domains with the DNSSEC standard. As the largest registrar of .ch domains, Hostpoint is now taking a huge step forward by activating DNSSEC in the coming weeks for all .ch and .li domains managed by Hostpoint and operated on Hostpoint name servers. This process will occur automatically; customers do not need to take any action.
The DNSSEC standard (Domain Name System Security Extensions) allows the authenticity and integrity of DNS information to be verified using cryptographic signatures. When accessing a domain, the IP address of the corresponding website is identified during the query process of the Domain Name System. The DNSSEC security extension prevents falsified DNS responses from being planted during these queries, which then, for example, redirect the user to a fraudulent website (known as "cache poisoning", "DNS hijacking" or "DNS spoofing").
Security benefits for customers and combating cybercrime
The DNSSEC security extensions not only protect website operators, but their visitors as well. And customers who are using Hostpoint's mail servers for their e-mail accounts additionally benefit from the DANE network protocol, which increases the security of e-mail traffic.
Most importantly, however, each DNSSEC-secured domain makes a small contribution to improving the security of internet communication. According to OFCOM, only about 6% of registered .ch domains were signed using the DNSSEC standard at the end of 2020. As one of the largest domain registrars in Switzerland, Hostpoint is committed to ensuring that a large number of .ch domains are converted to DNSSEC.
Customers with domains running on Hostpoint name servers have been able to activate DNSSEC since September 2020. At the same time Hostpoint introduced the DANE network protocol. Hostpoint has supported DNSSEC for domains running on external name servers for several years and was one of the first providers in Switzerland to do so.
Taking responsibility for internet security in Switzerland
Digital security has always been a top priority for Hostpoint. As Switzerland's largest web hosting provider, Hostpoint carries a certain responsibility toward the country's internet security. Products and services are being constantly improved, brought up to the latest technical standards and made safer in the interest of the customers. In this sense, Hostpoint supports the Swiss government's efforts to improve cybersecurity in Switzerland.
Hostpoint - The leading Swiss hosting and cloud provider With 20 years of experience, Hostpoint is the largest web hosting provider in Switzerland. Hostpoint offers simple solutions from a single source - for domains, websites, web shops and e-mail. As a leading, ICANN-accredited domain registrar, Hostpoint manages around 800,000 domain names. With its ultra-modern infrastructure and servers based in Switzerland, Hostpoint ensures the stable operation of around 300,000 Swiss websites every day. The best support service in the industry provides individual, professional and efficient customer support in four languages, 365 days a year. The 100% owner-operated company based in Rapperswil-Jona SG employs 75 people.
Contact:
For further information, please contact:
Mauro Landolt
Head of Communication
Hostpoint AG
Neue Jonastrasse 60
8640 Rapperswil-Jona
Switzerland
E-mail: media@hostpoint.ch