Keep your domain names safe: 7 tips
What would happen if you lost control of your domain names? If someone else took your website and email addresses it could seriously damage your business – both in terms of profits and reputation.
If you think it’s unlikely that your domain names could be stolen, think again. Hijackers who get into your domain name registrar account can easily divert your customers to their own website. And if they transfer your domains abroad you may never get them back.
Here are 7 tips to help you keep control of your domains:
- Remember to renew your domain names
If you forget to renew your domain names, you could lose them forever. Establish a firm renewal calendar and make sure responsibility for it is clear. If you have more than one domain name, ask your registrar to synchronise them so they are all due for renewal at the same time.
- Use Extensible Provisioning Protocol (EPP)
If supported by your registrar, EPP can give you even more control over your domain names.You'll be given a unique Authorization Information Code (AIC) for each of your domains, and without them no one can move them to a new domain name registrar.
- Activate Registrar Lock
When Registrar Lock is activated a domain cannot be transferred to a new owner without providing the account password. This stops anyone transferring your domain names into their own name by impersonating you by phone, fax, post or email. This service is also known as Domain Lock or Transfer Lock.
- Keep your contact details up to date
If someone attempts to transfer your domain names, your domain name registrar should email your designated company contact. If that person leaves your company, make sure the contact details are updated or you may miss vital warnings of suspicious activity.
- Opt for Domain Privacy
Domain Privacy stops the contact details for your domain being published online. This means hijackers will not be able to use this contact information to impersonate you and try to get your domain transferred overseas. Ask your registrar about Domain Privacy as most offer it for a small fee.
- Use strong authentication
Never use a simple password for your registrar account – for strong protection you'll need a long password made up of random characters. Use any additional authentication systems – like SMS passcodes – if your registrar offers them. And remember to change the account password every time an employee who knows it leaves your company.
- Be suspicious of emails from your registrar
Don't click on links in emails that seem to be from your registrar. They may take you to a phishing site that looks just like your registrar's website. If you do enter your username and password into a phishing site, hijackers could make off with your domain names within minutes. Instead, always enter your registrar’s website address into your browser yourself.
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