When typing a name, that name must be first translated into a number by a system before the connection can be established. That system is called the Domain Name System.
Vulnerabilities in the DNS allow an attacker to hijack this process of looking some one up or looking a site up on the Internet using their name. The purpose of the attack is to take control of the session to, for example, send the user to the hijacker's own deceptive web site for account and password collection.
These vulnerabilities have increased interest in introducing a technology called DNS Security Extensions (DNSSec) to secure this part of the Internet's infrastructure.
MAGIC is promoting the implementation of DNSSec to enhance security of NRENum.net implementations.