The .com web address turns 25 today, signalling a major shift for the internet.

Symbolics, a now-defunct, Massachusetts-based computer firm, was the first entry way back in 1985 according to the BBC, with five other companies following suit.

"This birthday is really significant because what we are celebrating here is the internet and dotcom is a good, well known placeholder for the rest of the internet," Mark Mclaughlin, CEO of VeriSign said.

The internet has grown exponentially since then, with VeriSign logging 53 billion requests for websites each day — the same number for all of 1995.

Other entries for 1985 included Think.com, BBN.com and aircraft manufacturer Northrop, www.sfgate.com said.