The .md top-level domain (TLD) is the Internet country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Moldova. It was introduced in 1994 and is managed by the MoldData organization, a state-owned company providing IT services. Country code top-level domains (ccTLDs) are a type of TLD, typically reserved for a country, a sovereign state, or a dependent territory, based on their two-letter International Organization for Standardization (ISO) country codes.
Standardized in RFC 1591, these domains are delegated to designated managers, who operate the domains according to local policies that are consistent with global policies. Such policies include upholding the stability and security of the domain name system (DNS) infrastructure, minimizing user confusion, and ensuring that domain names do not infringe on the legal rights of others.
In the case of the .md TLD, it is open to anyone in the world, not just Moldovan citizens or businesses, unlike some other ccTLDs which have residency or business presence restrictions. According to the domain registrar company Nic.md’s policies, .md domain names can be registered for periods of 1 to 10 years, and domain names under .md should be between 2 and 63 characters in length.
Functionalities of the .md domains include but are not limited to DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extensions) which helps to ensure that internet users are directed to legitimate websites, not imposters. Other specific policies and features might vary depending upon the accredited registrar processing the domain registration.
The .md TLD is frequently used in the medical industry, including by doctors, clinics, and healthcare companies. This is primarily because “MD” is an abbreviation for Doctor of Medicine in many countries. However, its usage is not restricted to this area and can be registered by entities outside the medical field.
Examples of .md websites include drlink.md, a platform for doctors to verify their expertise and find remote jobs, and medlife.md, a Moldova-based medical center.
Sources used:
1. IANA — .md Domain Delegation Data (https://data.iana.org/TLD/tlds-alpha-by-domain.txt)
2. MoldData ISC Ltd (https://www.molddata.md/)
3. .md Domain Registration – Register a Moldova Domain Name (https://www.marcaria.com/ws/en/domains/europe/md-domain-registration-md)
4. Domain .md | Register domain .md | DNSSEC, domain forwarding (https://www.reg.com/domain/new/md)
5. RFC 1591 – Domain Name System Structure and Delegation (https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/rfc1591)
6. Internationalized Domain Names Registration And Administration Rules for “.MD” domains (https://nic.md/res/docs/rules\_en.pdf)
