Criminal misuse of the Domain Name System

This report presents the findings of a preliminary inquiry into the nature of and the risks arising from misuse of the Domain Name System (DNS), and how criminological and regulatory approaches can assist in minimising risks of such misuse. Criminal misuse of the DNS has received relatively little academic attention, falling as it does between the disciplines of law, information technology, regulation, criminology and public policy. Solving the problem requires an understanding of how users and infrastructure and service providers use and contribute to the internet, and an appreciation of the complex legal and regulatory framework that governs the DNS. The research explores the issue from a policy perspective that will be beneficial in devising appropriate legal and policy responses.