Transferring a domain from one registrar company to another typically entails the use of a special transfer authorization code, which different registrar companies call an EPP key, a domain password or an AuthInfo code. This code can be used as a security mechanism against unapproved transfers with all gTLD and with most ccTLD extensions. The code can be obtained only by the owner of the given domain name and is provided by the current registrar company. It must be given to the new registrar because the transfer process cannot be started without it. The code is case-sensitive and traditionally includes digits and special characters, so as to obstruct unauthenticated individuals from hijacking it. Certain registrars even alter the codes of domain names registered through them every once in a while for better safety.