Transferring a domain name from one registrar company to another traditionally involves the use of a special transfer authorization code, which different companies refer to as an EPP authorization code, a domain name password or an Auth code. This code can be used as a safety mechanism against unapproved transfers with all gTLD and with most ccTLD extensions. The code can be obtained only by the owner of the particular domain and is provided by the current domain name registrar company. It must be given to the new registrar because the transfer process cannot be initiated without it. The code is case-sensitive and commonly comprises of numbers and special characters, so as to obstruct unauthorized persons from breaking it. Certain companies even alter the codes of domain names registered through them after a given period of time for greater security.