VeriSign and ICANN Square Off Over the DNS Root

The internet has a huge security problem that's temporarily fixed with bent paperclips and some gaffer's tape. Without concerted effort, hackers could easily spoil what little confidence remains in the internet.

In fact, cyber-criminals are already exploiting the Domain Name System hack uncovered by security researcher Dan Kaminsky this summer -- essentially setting up fake banking websites that users reach by typing in their bank's real domain name.

That's why the U.S. government finally put out a call Thursday for comments on whether the net as a whole should adopt new security protocols called DNSSEC, and asking who should have the privilege of controlling the master keys. Two longstanding net infrastructure rivals -- ICANN and VeriSign -- each want the job.