Transferring a domain name from one company to another traditionally entails the use of a special transfer authorization code, which different registrar companies call an EPP key, a domain name password or an Auth-Info code. This code can be used as a protection mechanism against unsanctioned transfers with all generic and with most country-code extensions. It can be obtained only by the domain name owner and is provided by the present registrar. It must be given to the new registrar company because the transfer process cannot be started without it. The code is case-sensitive and often includes digits and special symbols, so as to hinder unauthorized persons from breaking it. Some companies even alter the codes of domain names registered through them after a certain amount of time for greater security.