Author: Lluis Ouro

DNS and DNSSEC: protect your domain

Posted on by Lluis Ouro

Having a website domain is the first step in setting up your digital identity, but you also need to protect it. Being familiar with DNS and DNSSEC is essential for guaranteeing it works properly and ensuring online security.

What is DNS?

DNS (Domain Name System) translates domain names such as www.domini.barcelona into IP addresses that computers can interpret.

While this appears to be an instant process, it involves various steps. When you write a website address in a browser, the request reaches the DNS resolver, which requests the information for different DNS until it finds the correct address.

DNS vulnerabilities

Although essential, DNS has its weak points. The IP addresses it handles are not encrypted and can be sent to anybody that requests them. This means that attacks such as DNS hijacking can occur, where hackers manipulate the DNS to redirect users to fraudulent pages or malware.

Extra layer of security: DNSSEC

DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extension) offers improved security for the DNS system.

It guarantees that the information obtained in the resolution of names is authentic and has not been manipulated, thanks to a digital signature system that validates the origin of the registers and protects the users against identity theft.

How to use DNSSEC?

DNSSEC works with a public key cryptography system. That means that instead of sharing a secret key, it uses two: a public one to sign the DNS registers and a private one to verify their authenticity.

To benefit from this:

  • your registration company must allow you to activate DNSSEC,
  • the domain must be digitally signed,
  • the DNS resolvers must validate the signatures

Although it might require technical knowledge, implementing DNSSEC is key to your domain and the users who access it.

Protect yourself online!

If you’ve got a domain, protecting it is part of your digital commitment.

DNS gives you visibility and DNSSEC protects you.

Find out more and make sure you’re making the most of all the tools available to guarantee your users’ trust.

All .barcelona domain registration companies allow you to activate DNSSEC, so all you need to do is choose the one that suits your needs best.Compare prices and services at:  https://www.domini.barcelona/registra/

Introducing ICANN Grants

Posted on by Lluis Ouro

The ICANN launched its first project series of subsidies in 2024, under the name ICANN Grants. The goal is to support initiatives from around the world working towards a safer, more inclusive and accessible internet.

ICANN Grants backs projects that address some of today’s main challenges for the network, such as:

  • Improving the security of systems that make it possible for domains to work.
  • Fostering innovation based on open standards and transparent technology.
  • Fostering greater participation by new stakeholders in the governance of the internet.

The grants not only provide funds, but also recognition and the promotion of initiatives aimed at building a more equitable and sustainable internet.

The call

In May 2025, the ICANN announced the 23 projects selected. One of these presented by the .cat domain, through Accent Obert (formerly Fundació .cat): a proposal based on assessing the performance of territorial domains (geoTLD) as a tool for improving internet access the world over.

Under the name Assessing GeoTLD’s Performance for Enhanced Internet Accessibility: An Open-Source Methodological Approach, the project will create an open-source methodology whereby any TLD in the world can check which treatment it gets from traditional and AI-based search engines, the goal being to generate useful knowledge for other linguistic, cultural or urban communities.

The role of the .barcelona domain

The .barcelona domain, as with 11 other domains in the cultural, linguistic and geoterritorial sphere, backed the proposal presented and will play a key role as a case study within the project.

Its role as a geoTLD aimed at citizens, language and digital proximity makes it a valuable example within the project headed by Accent Obert. It also strengthens the commitment of the city and the territory to a more inclusive and decentralised network which respects diversity.

A summer packed with big concerts.barcelona

Posted on by Lluis Ouro

Barcelona is set for an intense summer of live music at the city’s two main venues: the  Palau Sant Jordi and the Estadi Olímpic. The season got under way in fine style with concerts by Billie Eilish, Chayenne and Guns N’Roses offering a glimpse of what is to come in the height of summer.

The Palau Sant Jordi is offering a varied range of concerts combining international and national pop.  With a capacity of over 17,000, the venue has become established as an ideal space for concerts with a more intimate experience. Pablo López, Rigoberta Bandini, Ado, Marc Anthony and Rauw Alejandro will be performing here in June and July.

At the Estadi Olímpic, the venue for large-format shows, the music of Imagine Dragons, Kendrick Lamar and SZA and BLACKPINK will fill Montjuïc with music on hot summer nights. The stadium reaffirms its role as an essential stop for big summer tours and festivals.You can check the full programme, practical information and ticket sales on the official .barcelona websites, such as palausantjordi.barcelona and estadiolimpic.barcelona.

Bicing.barcelona becomes an international role-model

Posted on by Lluis Ouro

The Bicing service has become an international role-model in sustainable mobility. The service was chosen as an example of good practice in bike-sharing in the seminar “Shared and Active Mobility Solutions”, organised as part of the European TERRAIN project.

Various European cities have visited Barcelona to get a first-hand look at how the service works. Much of Bicing’s success can be attributed to the density of stations, its interconnection with other means of public transport and the use of advanced technology for smart bicycle redistribution.

With its own .barcelona domain, Bicing stands out as it is flexible, economic and healthy. Offering electric bikes and push bikes and boasting more than 500 stations, the service allows users to get around the city easily.  With over 150,000 users at present, the success of the model now goes beyond frontiers.

Drive your website’s SEO with a .barcelona domain

Posted on by Lluis Ouro

There are still those who are unaware that a .barcelona domain can benefit their website’s SEO. Adding the .barcelona domain to your website infrastructure can be a highly efficient strategy for improving your presence in search engines, particularly if your project is linked with the city.

Either way, regardless of the domain extension you use, the most important thing for achieving a good position is that you work on the content and structure of your website.

How you can use the .barcelona domain to reach your target audience:

·       Clear geolocation: a .barcelona domain says a lot. It shows that your project is linked to the city. It can help you to position your website better in local searches, particularly if you offer products and services in Barcelona.

·       Set yourself apart from generic domains: a .barcelona domain makes you stand out. You’re not just another .com, you’re a brand with personality and local identity. Users won’t forget you. The .barcelona domain identifies you with the city’s values, an open, creative and cosmopolitan city.  

·       A relevant domain: choose a domain name that makes it clear what your project is about. You’ll help Google and users alike to understand you better from the outset.  

·       Content conceived for your audience: publish content linked to the city, use keywords linked to Barcelona and give local customers a voice.

Five steps to strengthen your .barcelona domain’s SEO

1.    Make sure tour website is well programmed and compatible with search engine standards.

2.    Get quality links with websites with authority and relevance.

3.    Improve the loading speed for your site and offer a fluid user experience.

4.    Work on your keywords, particularly those linked to your activity and location.

5.    Filter your target audience well and adapt your message to their needs.

Make the most of the .barcelona domain to connect with your local audience better and stand out in search engines.

How does the ICANN guarantee good management by registration companies?

Posted on by Lluis Ouro

One of the responsibilities of the ICANN is to ensure that domain registration companies meet the established standards and regulations, the goal being to guarantee the security and reliability of the system. If a registration company does not achieve the minimum requirements, they may lose their accreditation. Although this measure is not often adopted, it is needed for the domain name system to function properly.

Main reasons for losing accreditation:

1.      Non-compliance with the accreditation agreement for registration companies (RAA): when domain data protecting the privacy of holders are not maintained correctly.

2.      Fraudulent practices: activities such as the falsification of information or the sale of inexistent services.

3.      Non-compliance with payments: registration companies must be up to date with the payment of taxes and annual ICANN payments.

4.      Lack of collaboration in audits: registration companies are obliged to collaborate when the ICANN conducts audits and checks operations to guarantee compliance with regulations.

5.      Lack of client support and service: registration companies must guarantee suitable customer service and offer technical support for domain holders.

6.      Commitment to security: registration companies must work for the security of the domains they manage.

How does this affect domain holders?

When the ICANN withdraws accreditation from a registration company, the domains they manage are transferred to another operator. This process may mean changes in technical management or in access to the control panel. However, these situations are not very common and domain holders generally receive clear instructions to avoid any sort of disruption.

At the .barcelona domain, we work to ensure that any incident of this type is managed promptly and efficiently, keeping any disruptions for users to a minimum.

Fhar.barcelona shows the way forward for housing in the city

Posted on by Lluis Ouro

The FHAR initiative, which brings together professionals from the public and private sectors to work on the future of the right to housing, is back at the Palo Alto Barcelona site on 7,8 and 9 May, with experts and professionals from this sector taking part.

The fourth edition will be looking at some of the main topics of debate, such as the regulation of the market, taking into account the perspectives of the administration, private companies and organisations defending the right to housing.

The programme for the FHAR  includes discussions about one of the options for turning the current situation around: increasing affordable public housing, with the participation of representatives from different administrative levels.

Decarbonisation is one of the goals that will be achieved through improved energy efficiency in housing. The main areas of innovation and transformation in this area will be presented at the forum, with a look at international models.Besides the discussion sessions, workshops and visits to different housing projects in the city are being organised, including new-build projects and energy renovation projects in public housing. More information at fhar2025.barcelona.

Markets are a click away with mercatsaunclic.barcelona

Posted on by Lluis Ouro

“Mercats a un clic” is up and running, offering an online sales platform for Barcelona’s municipal markets. Fifteen markets have joined in with the initiative, which allows customers to shop at markets from anywhere and at any time of the day.

The platform allows users to place orders with a mobile app or on the website mercatsaunclic.barcelona. This enables markets to adapt to new needs and shopping habits, with customers able to receive their orders at home or pick them up from the market, even outside of opening hours thanks to refrigerated lockers located at market entrances.

The pilot project “Mercats a un clic” began in June and currently has 91 participating establishments, offering a wide range or produce such as fruit, fish, seafood, poultry, eggs, meat, pulses, cold meats, cheese and dietary products.You can place your order at mercatsaunclic.barcelona.

Control your domain: protect your .barcelona domain

Posted on by Lluis Ouro

One of the main reasons for people losing control of their domain is not renewing it in time. There’s a period of grace when it can still be renewed, but if this elapses the domain may become available again and could be acquired by somebody else.

Follow these steps to avoid this happening:

1.       Use an accessible contact address. When you register a domain, be sure to use a contact address which is easy for you to access.  

2.       Always keep the domain information up to date. A domain can be suspended if the data are not up to date and the registration company is unable to contact the domain owner.

3.       Check your mail frequently. Bear in mind that the registration company will send you reminders when the domain is soon to expire.

4.       Don’t forget the renewal dates. Make a note of the time period for the domain so that renewals won’t get overlooked and set some reminders in advance.

5.       Contract the domain for longer if you know you’re going to need it. Remember you can renew it for up to ten years to avoid having to worry about it.  

6.       Be sure you can contact your registration company. Check that you can communicate easily, whether by email or by phone.

If you don’t renew in time, the first step is to inform the registration company that you contracted. They will be in the best position to advise you.

What do you need to do if your domain has expired?

·         When your domain expires, you have around 45 days to renew it (although each registration company has their time frames and in some cases they may charge you extra to renew it after it has expired). If you don’t renew it, anyone else can register it, even you could acquire it again!

·         If your domain is contracted by somebody else, contact us at suport@domini.barcelona and explain your case to us. We will convey your request to the current holder and, if you are lucky, they will get in touch with you to negotiate the purchase of the domain.

·         Never negotiate the domain if it includes fraudulent information, if the website is being used improperly or if there is an attempt being made to gain from it. If you find yourself in one of these situations, contact us. If necessary, we will take legal action.

Remember to always keep your .barcelona domain up to date!

Current developments in the world of domains: key dates

Posted on by Lluis Ouro

Key dates are approaching in the world of domains and we have them in our agenda. Here are all the details.

ICANN82. Next stop: Seattle!

The .barcelona domain will be represented at the upcoming ICANN82, to be held in Seattle from 8 to 13 March. This is one of the biggest meetings of the year in the domain sector.

This edition will be addressing a theme that affects us all: online criminal activity and cybersecurity. Urgent aspects to be tackled from the perspective of ICANN, public administrations and the Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO).

We’ll keep you informed of the resolutions from the meeting.

Discover CENTR

CENTR stands for the Council of European National Top-Level Domain Registries. This association brings together domain registries for top-level country codes (ccTLDs, such as es., fr. and pt.).

CENTR gathers the best standards and practices from its members, making it a reference spaces for queries on ccTLDs, and fosters better service for users.

CENTR also offers a space for addressing matters that affect various domains and acts as a communication channel between government bodies and other internet institutions.

Upcoming meetings

CENTR is organising a meeting for its workgroups on 27 February. This online session will be a preliminary step to lay the foundations for the face-to-face meeting, the Jamboree in Lyon, from 21 to 23 May. At the Jamboree, experts and leaders in the sector will be fostering an exchange of knowledge, addressing shared challenges and identifying opportunities for collaboration.

For CENTR members this annual meeting is a great opportunity to build professional networks within the European industry of ccTLDs.