We're domain front-running so scammers don't have to!

Network Solutions is under fire this week for domain "front running," or for purchasing and holding certain domains after they're searched for at the company's website, thereby not letting anyone buy the domain at other registrars. For example, should you be in the business of eating aardvarks and try to search for the availability of the domain eataardvark.com at Network Solutions, the website will show you that it's available.

Within seconds, Network Solutions subsequently registers the domain for five days, preventing users from buying it anywhere other than Network Solutions. Places where, in many instances, you might be able to get a better deal should you want to shop around.

After Internet anger began to bubble over this week Jonathon Nevett, Vice President of Policy at Network Solutions, issued a statement saying that the practice wasn't anti-competitive, it was a security feature: