How to protect your domain from hijacking?

Your domain name is one of your company’s most valuable assets. It’s not just a web address - it’s your brand’s identity, your online storefront, and the foundation of your digital presence. But what happens if someone steals your domain? Domain hijacking is a real threat, and losing control of your domain can lead to devastating consequences, including loss of traffic, revenue, reputation, and even legal liability. In this article, we'll explore what domain hijacking is, how it happens, and most importantly how you can protect your domain against it.

What is domain hijacking?

Domain hijacking is the unauthorized acquisition or control of someone else's domain name. Attackers use various techniques to gain access to domain registrar accounts, manipulate domain settings, or exploit vulnerabilities to transfer ownership without permission.

Once hijacked, a domain can be:

1. Redirected to malicious sites
2. Sold on the black market
3. Used for phishing attacks
4. Held for ransom

Recovering a stolen domain can be extremely difficult and expensive, especially if the attacker quickly transfers it internationally.

Why domains are prime targets

Domains are valuable for several reasons:

1. Brand recognition: A strong domain carries immediate trust and brand equity.
2. Revenue generation: E-commerce sites depend heavily on their domains for transactions.
3. SEO value: Older domains often have strong search engine rankings and backlinks.
4. Email systems: Domains tied to business emails can be exploited for further attacks.

Simply put: if an attacker takes over your domain, they gain control over your brand’s online identity.

Common domain hijacking methods

Understanding the common tactics used by hijackers helps you prevent attacks:

1. Phishing and social engineering: Hackers trick domain owners into revealing login credentials through fake emails or websites.
2. Registrar account breaches: Weak passwords or compromised registrar accounts make it easy for attackers to change DNS settings or initiate domain transfers.
3. DNS hijacking: If DNS servers are unsecured, attackers can reroute traffic without changing domain ownership.
4. Exploiting expired domains: If you forget to renew your domain, someone else can register it immediately after expiration.
5. Insider threats: Disgruntled employees or ex-partners with access to domain accounts might transfer or alter domains maliciously.

How to protect your domain

Now let’s dive into actionable steps you can take to protect your domain from hijacking.

1. Choose a reputable domain registrar

Not all domain registrars are created equal. Always choose a reputable registrar known for strong security practices, excellent support, and robust account protection options.

Look for features like:

1. Two-factor authentication (2FA)
2. Domain lock services
3. WHOIS privacy protection
4. Secure account recovery options

Top registrars like GoDaddy, Namecheap, Google Domains, and Cloudflare Registrar offer strong security features.

2. Enable domain locking

Domain locking prevents unauthorized domain transfers by locking your domain at the registrar level. When locked, the domain cannot be transferred to another registrar without explicitly unlocking it.

Most registrars offer two types of locking:

1. Registrar Lock: Standard protection against accidental or unauthorized changes.
2. Registry Lock: A higher level of protection involving manual verification by the registry.

Tip: Use registry lock if available especially for high-value domains.

3. Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication (2FA)

Your domain registrar account is as important as your bank account. Protect it with:

1. Strong, unique password (mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, symbols)
2. Password managers like Bitwarden or 1Password to generate and store passwords securely
3. Two-factor authentication (2FA) using an authenticator app (like Google Authenticator) rather than SMS

This dramatically reduces the chances of unauthorized access.

4. Monitor domain status regularly

Stay proactive by monitoring your domain for:

1. Unauthorized changes to DNS records
2. WHOIS information updates
3. Expiring SSL certificates
4. Expiration dates

Set up automatic alerts via your registrar or use monitoring tools like VirtualEyes.

5. Protect WHOIS information

Public WHOIS databases list domain ownership details by default. If your name, email, and phone number are public, attackers can use this information for phishing or social engineering. Solution: Enable WHOIS Privacy Protection (also called Domain Privacy or ID Protection) through your registrar. This replaces your details with generic registrar contact information.

6. Set domain auto-renewal

One of the simplest mistakes that lead to domain loss is forgetting to renew.

1. Enable auto-renewal in your registrar settings.
2. Keep payment information up to date.
3. Set calendar reminders 30-60 days before expiration just in case.

For critical domains, consider registering them for multiple years at once or just use SSLState for monitoring domain expiration date.

7. Limit account access

Only trusted individuals should have access to your domain management account.

1. Assign access based on role (admin, billing, technical) if possible.
2. Immediately revoke access for employees or partners who leave the organization.
3. Maintain an access log and regularly audit permissions.

8. Be wary of phishing emails

Domain-related phishing scams are common. Watch out for:

1. Emails claiming your domain is expiring or requires urgent action
2. Fake renewal notices asking for payment
3. Requests for login credentials via email links

Always verify any domain-related communication by logging directly into your registrar account—never click suspicious links.

9. Implement DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extensions)

DNSSEC protects the integrity of your DNS data by digitally signing DNS records. While DNSSEC doesn't prevent domain hijacking itself, it protects users from DNS spoofing and man-in-the-middle attacks. Ask your registrar if DNSSEC is supported and enabled for your domain.

10. Legal protections: Trademark your domain name

If your domain is part of a trademarked brand, you gain additional legal protection under the Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy (UDRP). In case of hijacking or cybersquatting, you’ll have stronger grounds to recover your domain through arbitration.

What to do if your domain is hijacked?

Despite best efforts, hijacking can still happen. Here's what to do:

1. Act quickly: The faster you react, the better your chances of recovery.
2. Contact your registrar immediately: Request a domain lock and initiate a recovery investigation.
3. Report to ICANN and law enforcement: File a complaint with ICANN and consider involving authorities, especially for high-value or business-critical domains.
4. Hire a domain recovery specialist: Some legal firms and cybersecurity companies specialize in domain recovery.

Domain security isn’t just a technical concern. It’s a fundamental part of protecting your brand, your customers, and your revenue. By choosing a reputable registrar, enabling security features like 2FA and domain locking, monitoring your domain activity, and being vigilant against phishing attempts, you can significantly reduce the risk of hijacking. Remember: securing your domain is far easier (and cheaper) than recovering it after it’s been stolen. Protect your domain like you would protect any critical asset.