Keep Domain Name Safe From Hackers

Here’s How To Avoid Domain Theft

1. Keep your domain registration records and contact information accurate.

Whenever there is a change of address, phone number, or email address that you’ve been using for domain name transfer communications, you must let your registrar know.

Make sure you also update your emergency and business contact information.

When any suspicious activity occurs, your registrar will be able to contact you and let you know ASAP.

2. Be wise in choosing your registrar.

Don’t buy your domain name from just any registrar; be sure that the registrar has been in business for a long time and is trustworthy.

When choosing a domain registrar, you must look beyond price and find a company that offers quality services and support.

They should be able to provide more than the minimum registration and domain transfer services. The technical support should be readily available 24×7 irrespective of your location.

The registrar must also have a system that notifies you of a pending domain transfer and allows you some days to respond before the domain is actually moved. This is to ensure that the domain is not transferred without your knowledge.

Such notifications would allow you halt a pending transfer.

Also, be sure the registrar has a way of notifying you of changes in your registration record or any ownership change requests. Check that they give you the option of specifying which communication method is best for you (email, phone, fax, etc.).

Does the registrar have additional security measures like two-step authentication? This is where you receive a code on your mobile phone every time you go to log in. You need to correctly enter this code before you’re granted access to your account.

It may be irritating to users, but without safeguards like this, a hacker can easily transfer your domain out of your account.

3. Keep your domain registrant info private.

You need to jealously guard your account info the same way you would any other account info on any other site (you need to be extra protective because your domain is a business asset).

You should never give your login details to a stranger or any other person except to someone authorized to manage your domain (e.g. a webmaster or a developer). Make sure you change the account details when this person leaves your organization.

Don’t use your contact email address as your username for your registrar account as hijackers will always guess this. Instead, create a different username that is not the same as the contact email.