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Register and Use Handshake Domains

  • Updated

 

Handshake domains do not resolve on regular DNS sites.

The TLS Handshake protocol is a proof-of-work protocol like Bitcoin. Unlike Bitcoin, where you only use the coins as money, Handshake coins (HNS) are also used to register domain names on the Handshake blockchain.

 

Handshake domain names are top-level domain names (TLDs like .com, .net or .org) but are available to own outright, not just to rent for an annual fee. You own your Handshake domain names forever, and no one can take them from you, or prevent others from accessing. Rather than being limited to renting from a small number of extensions like .com or .org, you can own and use almost any extension you can think of with Handshake domains. 

 

Register a Handshake Domain

https://www.encirca.com/handshake/

 

Add Nameservers and Hosting

  1. Update nameservers at EnCirca to standard1.encirca.net and standard2.encirca.net at https://manage30.encirca.com/
  2. Add DNS at https://hosting.encirca.com if needed
  3. Purchase and set up hosting from EnCirca at https://www.encirca.com/hosting/ or add DNS for your own hosting
  4. View your site with the options below: 

 

View Your Site

Handshake domains aren't visible by typing in encirca.txt. You need to add some coding and visit your site by using encirca.txt/. Below are some options for viewing your site:

  1. Use a Gateway:  Use the HNS.to gateway to access Handshake names without installing anything or changing your DNS settings — try using it to search your site. You can also make searches directly by adding "hns.to/" in front of Handshake domains like "hns.to/welcome.nb/".
     
  2. Use a Plugin: Install the Resolvr add-on to access Handshake names directly in your Firefox browser's search bar. 
     
  3. Install NextDNS:
  • Visit nextdns.io and click "Try it now"
  • Scroll down to the Setup Guide and pick any one of the given options (e.g. Private DNS, App, Ipv4) for your device, and follow the relevant guide provided by NextDNS
  • Once your device is connected to NextDNS (confirm with green button at top of the setup page), visit the "Settings" tab on the NextDNS website and turn on "Resolve Handshake domains"

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