Have you ever noticed how one website goes offline and then another website that looks almost identical appears? According to news that was released on LowEndTalk, that's exactly what is happening as part of Operation Hydra Slay, a massive initiative which is shutting down hundreds of websites around the world. It's one of the biggest domain takedowns we have ever seen, and the whole online world is buzzing about it.
This time around, the reason that the organizers of the takedown have been so effective is they had legal orders from India, which allowed them to impose blocking websites globally. The organizers did not send warning emails, they removed domains and blocked access.
Most of these targeted domains are registered with Namecheap. However, others are using GoDaddy, Dynadot, Porkbun, and Tucows, so this wave is currently sweeping across pretty much every large domain provider.
People on the Internet are calling this the biggest domain takedown campaign, in terms of its wide reach and a quicker pace than what has been seen previously. This is no longer just about blocking a couple pirate sites, it is an internet-wide cleanup.
They are even conducting ISP level blocking. That means that ISP's can also completely block access to these sites even if the domain changes or the use of a private DNS. This is quite serious.
If you own a website or a hosting service, now is the time to check your DMCA compliance and ensure that your content isn't breaking copyright laws. This movement is not slowing down any time soon.
But, let’s be honest, for every domain that leaves, a domain will come. Is this the end of domain freedom or another rendition of cat and mouse?
Either way, the internet is changing fast, and we are all watching it at real time.
What Is Happening?
Think of it this way - a large and organized group has formed a plan of action to target specific websites which keep reappearing after being removed. These websites have been labeled "Hydra domains". The title is appropriate because, like a hydra from Greek mythology, when you cut off the head of a hydra and two grow back in its place, Hydra domains have a habit of reappearing and duplicating over and over again.This time around, the reason that the organizers of the takedown have been so effective is they had legal orders from India, which allowed them to impose blocking websites globally. The organizers did not send warning emails, they removed domains and blocked access.
Most of these targeted domains are registered with Namecheap. However, others are using GoDaddy, Dynadot, Porkbun, and Tucows, so this wave is currently sweeping across pretty much every large domain provider.
How Serious Is This?
This is serious; almost 200 domains across 23 different registrars have already been impacted. Many of them utilize Cloudflare services, and even that has not reduced the number of domains getting suspended.People on the Internet are calling this the biggest domain takedown campaign, in terms of its wide reach and a quicker pace than what has been seen previously. This is no longer just about blocking a couple pirate sites, it is an internet-wide cleanup.
They are even conducting ISP level blocking. That means that ISP's can also completely block access to these sites even if the domain changes or the use of a private DNS. This is quite serious.
When the Question of Losing Any Domain Comes Up
This is the big question. Some say "no domain or registrar is safe anymore." Because of these new global injunctions, even websites that are not hosted in India can be taken down. The reach is that long.If you own a website or a hosting service, now is the time to check your DMCA compliance and ensure that your content isn't breaking copyright laws. This movement is not slowing down any time soon.
Final Thoughts on Losing the Security of Domains
This whole Operation Hydra Slay seems like a drastic turning point for the internet. Piracy is going global, and it's coming down harder than before.But, let’s be honest, for every domain that leaves, a domain will come. Is this the end of domain freedom or another rendition of cat and mouse?
Either way, the internet is changing fast, and we are all watching it at real time.
