NetworkSolutions bother me more and more...

After getting a massive amount of SPAM not only via email, but via postal mail from my domain contact in NetSol's database, I had changed my postal address to:

"Home address not available. Email for information."

I no longer get SPAM to my home address. I just recently moved into a new home and had a new number -- I also moved my sites to another server -- so I decided to update my record, also, to at least update my phone number. I realized that the above "Email for information" probably only made the novice SPAMMER more likely to think it's an invite to email me about their SPAMful information.

Therefore, when I updated my domain, I changed my home address field to make it clear I did not want to be called, emailed or mailed anything from anyone.. I mean, why would I? People can still email about abuse, my services or purchasing my domains -- which I don't care for any of those things, other than for abuse -- and even that and all the rest would be on my domain's web site anyway. So, I tried to update my contact handle's address, to say:


"Home address not available. Email for information. DO NOT solicit a product or service or otherwise SPAM me via phone or email."

And that would also stop any postal SPAM -- since there's no address listed -- and even though SPAMMER's will still email and call, you never know if they'll think twice. Anyway, no big deal, I just wanted to update my number anyway, but I figured I'd go ahead and send a stern warning, since SPAMMER's swarm to NetSol's database to grab people's email and postal addresses and phone numbers. Well, I have no confirmation and I finally (after a few days), get this response from NetSol:

Subject: Re: [NIC-XXXX.XXXXXXXX] Re: CONTACT ... [ the usual stuff here ...]

"Thank you for contacting Network Solutions.

Your information is publicly available in our domain name
registration database for several reasons. For example,
it is the only way a domain name registrant can easily
determine if the domain name registration record is current
and accurate. Additionally, it is the registrant's only
means of determining who has been designated as the
Administrative, Technical and Billing Contacts to act on behalf
of the registrant.

If you prefer to keep your street address private,
we recommend that you establish a post office box and
use it as your public address in our database.

Sincerely,
Jim V
Network Solutions, a VeriSign company
http://www.networksolutions.com"


** My thoughts about this:


"Thank you for contacting Network Solutions."

I didn't "contact" them and ask a question, I sent off a contact template modification form. I wouldn't have assumed they cared. After all, they don't "verify" the addresses to be correct anyway, so what's the difference of putting in a bogus address, or whatever you want? They should allow people to update it with whatever they want. I don't want my home address public to get more SPAM, and it's solely due to them and their database open to SPAMMERS!

"Your information is publicly available in our domain name
registration database for several reasons."

There's _no_ reason for this, other than to receive a bill for renewal or NetSol's own SPAM mail.

"For example, it is the only way a domain name registrant can easily determine if the domain name registration record is current and accurate."

That doesn't even make any sense! I know it's up to date, because it displays the last information I submitted to the database! Whatever information I submit, is the 'accurate' information I wish to have there. This would be _my_ business if I choose to do so, not theirs! My phone number is there (not my new one yet though!), as is my name, as is my email! They have my postal address on record and updating a form is no verification of anything.

"Additionally, it is the registrant's only means of determining who has been designated as the Administrative, Technical and Billing Contacts to act on behalf of the registrant."

Ridiculous. I'm only the contact for my own domains. Even if I was for someone else's, so what? Is this any of their business? Why do they need my home postal address displayed to the world of SPAMMERS to abuse? They don't need to display this information. My phone number and email are up to date and correct, it has my first and last name. They do not need my postal address and whomever has me for one of their contacts, is none of NetSol's business! Moreover, I'm only the contact for my own domains -- I would not use such a statement in an address of a business contact for any domains of anyone else -- even so, that's _none of their business_!

"If you prefer to keep your street address private, we recommend that you establish a post office box and use it as your public address in our database.

Sincerely,
Jim V
Network Solutions, a VeriSign company
http://www.networksolutions.com"

So, I have to go rent a PO BOX and get my postal SPAM down the road at the post office of PO BOX outlet, or to my home and have no other choice? Where in NetSol's TOS does it state that anyone has to make their postal address known to the world? NetSol has had problems with their database being open and exploited by SPAMMERs for years and they've done nothing about it, and now NetSol is saying I have to rent a PO BOX (the price of a few domains at another registrar!) just to prevent myself from being SPAMMED with 4 to 10 letters a day from people that ripped my postal address from NetSol's database? I don't think so! This pisses me off. They have no right to tell me what I can and can not put there. It's fine that NetSol has postal addresses on record -- but not for public display in their current database! I tell you, NetSol just gets worse and worse!

This was my response to Mr. "V"...

Mr. Jim V, (Is "V" really your last name???)

In response to your email, I have posted this in web boards and news groups. I am tired of NetSol's lack of action about SPAMMER's and having their database open for them to abuse it. I get enough SPAM in email -- and due to your database, I was getting a massive amount via postal mail as well! My home address is not known or published by anyone else other than NetSol! I changed it before and I had very few postal mail SPAMS. I'm NOT going to get a PO BOX to prevent SPAM, when I simply want to update my contact record to say "Home address not available -- email for information -- but DO NOT SPAM me, or solicit a product via phone or email when doing so!". Your excuses saying I need my postal address are ridiculous! I am only the contact for my own domains and that's my business, not yours, of what I wish to put there. I wish to omit my postal address to prevent further SPAM from the NetSol database information! I will NOT have my home privacy invaded due to some ludicrous opinion by yourself or NetworkSolutions, Inc.!

My contact information still shows my phone number, my name and my email addresses. This more than verifies and supplies my contact information. Any further contact information will be provided by myself how and when I wish, on my web site -- unless I choose to update the contact record at NetSol myself to reflect this other information! This is not your place to say or force me to provide that information. I have had domains registered at NetSol for years and I refuse to allow this issue to become a problem! The only reason I would need to provide my postal address, would be because you want to send me bills for renewal. If I miss that chance due to my submission of a contact record that omits the postal address and am not smart enough to figure out how to pay online to renew them (or switch them to another registrar, more likely!), then I shouldn't be dealing with registering domains anyway, should I? Any other reason, would be for your company or affiliates to continue to SPAM me, not to mention countless third party SPAMMERS.

You have no reason to deny me the action of updating my contact record as described below. This is my right and I will not obtain a "P.O. BOX" and pay a yearly or monthly/quarterly fee for that, simply to save myself the hassle of dealing with SPAM due to your company's lack of concern or policy to prevent myself and millions of others from receiving your company, affiliates or third party solicitations. Save some trees, save some time and stress, and update my contact record as per the information I have submitted. Don't deny me this modification, as it was the only course of action I was able to take, to prevent SPAM to my home, since your company neither provides the concern or knowledge to do it yourselves. I suggest you work on that... however, in the meantime, I suggest you abide by my modification request, mind your own business and allow me to protect my home privacy. On a side note, I have ran a popular chat site for a few years and have had more than a few threats from abusive user's I ended up having to block from my site, that went to NetworkSolutions database, did a search on my name or domain contact, posting my postal address for the world to see, stating they would pay me a visit. Granted, this isn't a concern for me personally, but I do have a wife and these things can become a reality. Therefore, do not tell me I should get a PO BOX if I'm not happy with your company's policy of allowing this information public for SPAMMERs as well as stalkers too. Follow me? Now update my contact record accordingly!

PS, Jim (V): You didn't provide me with your full name, email and postal address. Why is that? I'll tell you why; Because it's completely and utterly unnecessary! My word, you couldn't even submit your last name in this email, Mr. Initial!

Below is the post I submitted to various sources:

[SNIP]

I'm disliking this company more and more and more and more and more and...

Go tim! If I could marry the hatred I have for that company I would. It sickens me with all the *beep* they get away with. You can't squeeze a single ounce of information out of them. Most of us don't contact them to have their site read to us, we contact them for information and change. I think I'll go make some anti-nsi images now. I wish I could afford to do a 'truth' commercial about NSI. Now that would be fun!