For $20, Researchers Seize Part of Net Infrastructure

Researchers at cybersecurity firm watchTowr have exposed the fragility of the internet’s security infrastructure after assuming control of an expired domain for just $20. The team took control of an expired WHOIS server, a public directory for the internet, intending for it to serve as a harmless test. Much to their surprise, the server was flooded with over 2.5 million queries worldwide, laying bare a significant vulnerability to potential cyberattackers.