All generic domain name extensions and certain country-code ones support a security lock option whose purpose is to impede unapproved transfers of existing domains. Many domain registry operators that manage country-code TLDs that do not support this option are in the process of adopting it for the sake of safety and for the convenience of the domain name registrants. A domain can be transferred only if it is unlocked and only an individual who has been granted access to the account with the current domain name registrar can achieve that. New domains are registered with the lock feature enabled intentionally, so as to impede any unauthorized transfer attempts. The lock feature is one of the safety measures for regulating the transfer of active domain names between registrar companies that have been introduced over the years.