Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, more commonly known as ICANN, is a corporation that was created by the United States Government in September, 1998. ICANN was established with the purpose of overseeing a variety of tasks related to the use and maintenance of the internet. Prior to the development of this corporation, other global organizations, such as the IANA, were responsible for handling this information.

ICANN plays a major role in the proper function of the internet. Without this organization, it is likely that the internet would not function adequately, as there would be no global organization organizing and allocating unique Internet Protocol addresses. As a result, websites would not operate correctly.

If an individual wishes to contact a corporation or a person using the internet, he/she must enter a unique address in the form of a number or a name into his/her computer. Each address, known as an IP address, must be completely unmatched. Two identical IP addresses could cause serious complications.

This corporation is responsible for the organization and coordination of the internet, and therefore, it plays a significant role in the expansion of the internet. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers works to ensure that the internet remains stable and secure. This organization seeks not only to maintain the internet, but also to improve it by developing new policies regarding internet identifiers.

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