Criminal misuse of the domain name system

This report presents the findings of a preliminary inquiry into the nature and risks arising from misuse of the Domain Name System (DNS) and how criminological and regulatory approaches can be used to prevent conduct of this nature from occurring. Criminal misuse of the DNS is a relatively neglected area of academic attention, falling as it does between the disciplines of law, information technology, regulation, criminology and public policy. Solutions to the problem require an understanding of how the Internet works in terms of users and providers of infrastructure and services, as well as an appreciation of the complex legal and regulatory framework governing the DNS. Applying a deterrence-based approach based on criminal prosecution and punishment is unlikely to be effective in dealing with a cross-border problem that spans both the public and private sectors.