Your Internet domain name e.g. mybusiness.co.uk can be very valuable and a key part of your business. You may think it’s impossible for someone to take your domain name but it does happen and the scammers are clever in how they do it, leaving you with the difficult task of proving you are the rightful owner.
For a hacker to take your domain name, there are two basic methods:-
- They change your DNS configuration, to redirect traffic from your site to their site
- They modify your registration contact information, which gives them full control over your domain.
There is a database called WHOIS that keeps track of the owner’s details and contact person for every domain name as well as the name server data.
A hacker can also change the registration data in the WHOIS database. This then makes it difficult for you to prove that you are the rightful owner, not the hackers. The hacker may also move the domain registration to another registrar which makes it more difficult to get your domain name back.
Domain Locking
The best protection for your domain name is to have it locked. This is a service provided by the domain registrars and it stops unauthorized transfer of your domain name to another registrar.
Once your domain is locked, it will be almost impossible for the thieves to redirect your nameservers or transfer your domain name.
Only with authorization from you, will your registrar will unlock the domain when you need to make changes, and then it can be returned to locked status.
WHOIS Data Entry Protection
Every domain registrar must maintain a publicly viewable “WHOIS” database. For every registered domain, the database must contain personal contact information, including each domain owner’s street address, telephone number, and email address.
Most registrars offer a security feature called WHOIS protection which replaces your contact details with those of the registrar. This maintains your security.
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