Transferring a domain from one registrar company to another commonly entails the use of a special transfer authorization code, which different registrar companies call an EPP authentication code, a domain password or an Auth code. This code can be used as a security mechanism against unwanted transfers with all gTLD and with most ccTLD extensions. The code can be obtained only by the domain name registrant and is issued by the current domain registrar company. It must be given to the new domain registrar company because the transfer procedure cannot be initiated without it. The code is case-sensitive and commonly comprises of numbers and special characters, so as to hinder unauthorized individuals from breaking it. Some domain name registrars even alter the codes of domains registered through them after a given amount of time for greater safety.