Here is why Neowin.net is down right now
Neowin.net is one of our partner websites, and it came as a surprise yesterday that the site went down completely. I first thought that this was just a fluke and tried connecting again in a different browser, but that did not work out as well.
After some digging I found out that neowin.net was indeed down and not responding at all. It was clear that this was not a software issue, as error messages would have been different in this case.
It appeared as if the domain had been pulled, which could mean a couple of things. It could mean that the site had been hacked for instance, that the domain expired and was snagged by a third-party, or that the site was on the move to a new server.
A quick DNS look-up on the other hand resulted in the following:
Retrieving DNS records for neowin.net...
DNS servers
ns1.badwhoisshutdown.com [69.25.27.170]
ns2.badwhoisshutdown.com [69.25.27.173]
Query for DNS records for neowin.net failed: Timed out
It was clear that the nameservers had been changed, and if the name of the domain is any indication as to what happened, it seems that incorrect data led to the pulling of the domain.
I mentioned earlier here on Ghacks that new ICANN regulations make it mandatory that so-called whois information are accurate for the domains that you own.
If they are not, and you are reported by someone, your domain will be pulled from the Internet until the issue is fixed.
This apparently happened to Neowin according to site administrator Steven P.
I've contacted ICANN through the support ticket to get it reinstated but I don't have any idea how long that process takes. It was due to one of the many email addresses that are tied to our account/domains not working. Although the email addresses on the public WHOIS do work and are valid. Just one of those things..
The issue has been fixed by now, and things should start to return to normal again in the next 24 hour period. For the time being, it is possible to access the site using the neow.in address instead.
If you are a webmaster or domain owner, you need to make sure that all Whois related information, as well as account related information, are accurate. You may run into the same domain pulling troubles as Neowin if you do not.
It is especially important that all email addresses and phone numbers connected to accounts are accurate, as this seems to be the core reason why domains may get pulled for inaccurate information.
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Well that sucks this site and neowin are the two sites I first check each morning. Well, at least now I know for sure to never f with your whois info.
neowin.net is down again, confirmed by http://www.isitdownrightnow.com/
This is weird.
Again ? It never recovered since Friday.
I had recovered access to neowin.net yesterday afternoon (2014-02-02, GMT+1), I ignore on what time interval exactly, http and rss via http, but https was off. Then I noticed last evening (as mentioned) the site was down again.
At this time, all accesses to neowin.net are down (but not http://neow.in/ at least)
This can be explained by DNS propagation I assume.
Only ever check it for software updates which I can get elsewhere,so I can live with that.I’d be way,way,way more concerned if something like the Obama/NWO hating infowars was off.
Yeah, that would mean Alex Jones couldn’t make money off mentally unstable people who will believe anything.
It would be such a devastating loss.
Helluvasight more believable than that teleprompted pigthick repulsive lying commie in the White House.
Their RSS Feed is still working. But I don’t know if they have added any new articles to it since this started.
Mmm, not for me it isn’t. The last RSS feed I have from them was from Friday night 31st Jan (GMT).
i miss laughing at their snotty long winded useless commenters already. If they were hacked I’m sure they deserved it with their crappy attitude and holier than thou members.
I used to love Neowin but it certainly has become an elitist Microsoft fanboy site in the last few years. Mention anything at all that is negative about Microsoft, even saying you don’t care for Windows 8, will get you torn to shreds by their members.
try asking a question. they flip out from paranoia and claim you’re trolling. they’re faggity site is back up now anyway. back to reading the girls comments…
As opposed to a site focused on Linux or Apple where of course those followers don’t rip you to shreds for blasphemy under their own idols. /s Give me a break.
You know the site is Windows/Microsoft emphasized when going there. Come “Win” is in the name. It is not like site like “Place name her:)” which pretends to be unbiased but is. Yet, people complain when they enter to purposely insult the standing choir. If you go to any site that has a heavy leaning point of view and complain than you are the issue not those huddled around the campfire. But, even though the site has a certain favoritism towards Microsoft most of the people (save a few) are pretty opened minded but, will defend their likes when somebody makes blanket statements. (e.g. Windows Sux, Microsoft is evil, Linux rules) I find many of the people who get lambasted at the site go there to incite a heated response a nothing more.
you can see the site here: http://neow.in/