Geopolitical tension and the rapid price growth observed in 2022 have reduced the preparedness of Latvian entrepreneurs to create and develop online business. New risks have increased their interest for DNS security, according to data compiled by .lv domain keeper NIC.
Last year the number of .lv domain websites went down by 1 404.
This is the first time such a situation has been observed in the last 30 years!
However, thanks to increased interest of neighbouring countries for Latvia’s market, the total number of .lv domain names increased by 0.5% in 2022. This is a significant drop when compared with 6% growth observed in 2021. Globally, Estonia and Lithuania included, Latvia is the slowest when it comes to registering new internet addresses, according to data from Council of European National Top-Level Domain Registries (CENTR).
In total Latvian businesses and residents have registered only 181 148 domain names (in all expansions). Lithuanian businesses and residents have registered 332 551, and Estonian businesses and residents have registered 259 015 domain names.
In response to the growing number of cyber attacks and rising geopolitical tension, the number of .lv domain names that signed up for DNSSEC for DNS security have increased by 16%. Businesses are also highly interested in e-mail security on DNS level, which is indicated by more active use of DMARC, DKIM and SPF authentication solutions.
«DNS attacks are some of the most common and most effective online threats. We can see DSN security becoming a challenge and priority for many businesses in 2023,» said NIC manager Katrīna Sataki.
NIC is part of University of Latvia Institute of Mathematics and Informatics Network Solutions. Since 1993 it is the keeper of Latvia’s .lv domain. Its objective is providing uninterrupted and stable function of the domain and its accessibility in accordance with internationally adopted technical standards and good practices.
Also read: Cert.lv reports the biggest number of cyber-related attacks in institution’s history