How to Secure Your Domain from Hijacking

In today’s digital landscape, your domain name is a critical business asset. It represents your brand, supports your online presence, and often serves as the first point of contact for customers. As cyber threats continue to grow, domain hijacking has become a serious risk for website owners.

Domain hijacking occurs when unauthorised parties gain control over a domain name. This can lead to website downtime, loss of trust, and financial damage. Fortunately, there are practical steps you can take to protect your domain and reduce this risk.

1. Choose a Reputable Domain Registrar

Securing your domain starts with choosing a trusted registrar. Look for providers with a strong reputation for security, transparent policies, and reliable customer support. Features such as two-factor authentication and domain locking should be standard.

Before registering, it is worth checking customer reviews and industry ratings. A reputable registrar significantly reduces the risk of unauthorised access.

2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of protection to your registrar account. In addition to your password, it requires a second form of verification, such as a code sent to your phone or generated by an authentication app.

Enabling 2FA makes it far more difficult for attackers to gain access, even if your password is compromised.

3. Keep Your Contact Information Up to Date

Your registrar relies on your contact details to send important security notifications. If your email address or phone number is outdated, you may miss alerts about suspicious activity or renewal reminders.

Make it a habit to review and update your contact information whenever it changes.

4. Enable Domain Locking

Domain locking prevents unauthorised transfers by restricting changes to your domain settings. When a domain is locked, it cannot be transferred to another registrar without manual approval.

This simple feature provides strong protection against one of the most common hijacking methods.

5. Monitor Domain Expiry Dates

Expired domains are a frequent target for hijackers. If a domain is not renewed on time, it may become available for re-registration.

To avoid this risk, enable automatic renewals, set calendar reminders, or consider registering your domain for multiple years.

6. Use WHOIS Privacy Protection

WHOIS records publicly display domain ownership details. Without privacy protection, this information can be used for phishing or social engineering attacks.

WHOIS privacy hides your personal contact details and helps reduce unwanted attention from attackers.

7. Review Your Security Settings Regularly

Cybersecurity threats evolve constantly. Regularly reviewing your domain and account security settings helps ensure your protections remain effective.

Staying informed through trusted security resources can also help you recognise emerging risks early.

8. Watch Out for Phishing Attempts

Attackers often impersonate domain registrars through emails or messages designed to look legitimate. These messages may ask you to confirm details or click suspicious links.

Always verify the sender and avoid sharing login credentials unless you are certain the request is genuine.

9. Perform Periodic Security Checks

From time to time, review your registrar account for unexpected changes or unusual activity. Strong, unique passwords and regular password updates also help reduce risk.

Early detection is often the key to preventing serious damage.

Conclusion

Protecting your domain from hijacking is an ongoing process, not a one-off task. By choosing a reliable registrar, enabling strong security features, and staying vigilant, you can significantly reduce the risk of losing control over your domain.

Your domain is a vital part of your online presence. Treating its security as a priority helps protect your business, your reputation, and your customers.

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