Owning a valuable domain is like holding a prime piece of real estate on the internet. Just as you would like to take the steps to secure your physical assets, it’s crucial to protect our domains from threats and misuse. With cyber-attacks becoming more sophisticated, safeguarding your domains has never been more important. Here, we outline several effective ways to protect your domains and ensure they remain secure.
- Enable Domain Privacy Protection
One of the first steps to protect our domains is to enable domain privacy protection. When you register a domain, your personal information, such as your name, address, email, and phone number, is recorded in the WHOIS database, which is publicly accessible. Enabling domain privacy protection hides this information from the public eye, reducing the risk of identity theft, spamming, and other malicious activities.
- Use Strong, Unique Passwords
A strong password is your first line of defence against unauthorised access to your domain registrar account. Always use a unique, complex password that combines letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid using easily guessed passwords like ‘password123’ or “admin’. It’s also a good practice to change your passwords regularly and use a password manager to keep track of them securely. This simple step can significantly protect our domains from unauthorised access.
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication )2FA)
Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security to your domain management account. Even if a cybercriminal obtains your password, 2FA requires a second form of verification – usually a code sent to your mobile device – making it harder to unauthorised users to gain access. By implementing 2FA, you take a critical step to protect your domains from unauthorised changes and potential hijacking.
- Keep Your Contact Information Updated
Ensuring that your contact information with your domain registrar is always up-to-date is another key strategy to protect your valuable domains. If a domain is due to renewal or if there is any suspicious activity, your registrar will attempt to contact you. If your contact details are outdated, you might miss important information, leading to unintentional domain expiration or lack of action against unauthorised transfers.
- Lock Your Domains
Domain locking is a security feature offered by most registrars that presents unauthorised transfers of your domain names. When a domain is locked, it cannot be transferred to another registrar with your express permission. Locking your domains is a crucial step to protect your domains from hijacking attempts. Be sure to periodically check your domain’s status to ensure it remains locked.
- Monitor Domain Expiration Dates
Domain expiration is a common vulnerability that can lead to losing control of your domain. Set up automatic renewal options or reminders to renew your domains well before they expire. This proactive approach ensures continuity and prevents others from snapping up your domain once it becomes available again. Keeping a close eye on expiration dates is a straightforward way to protect your domains from falling into the wrong hands.
- Consider a Domain Monitoring Service
Domain monitoring services track any changes or updates to your domain and alert you in real time. This allows you to respond quickly to unauthorised changes or transfers. Using a domain monitoring service is an advanced step to protect our domains, providing peace of mind and an added layer of security.
- Implement DNS Security Extensions (DNSSEC)
DNS Security Extensions (DNSSEC) add an extra layer of security to your domain by protecting it from certain types of attacks, such as DNS spoofing. DNSSEC ensures that the information received from the DNS is authentic and has not been tampered with by enabling DNSSEC, you help protect our domains from being redirected to fraudulent websites.
- Regularly Review Domain Permissions and Access
Ensure that only authorised personnel have access to your domain management account. Regularly review who has permission to make changes and remove access for individuals who no longer need it. This is especially important in organisations where roles may change, and employees may leave. Restricting access to essential personnel is a fundamental step to protect our domains from internal threats.
10. Stay Informed About Security Threats
Cyber threats constantly evolve, and staying informed about the latest risks and best practices is essential. Subscribe to cyber security newsletters, follow reputable security blogs, and stay updated on the latest trends. Knowledge is power, and knowing potential threats will help you better protect our domains from future attacks.
Protecting your valuable domains is an ongoing process that requires vigilance, proactive measures, and regular updates. By following these steps, you can effectively safeguard your domains against unauthorised access, misuse, and theft. Remember, taking steps now to protect your domains can save you significant time, money, and hassle in the future.
By implementing these strategies, you can rest assured that your valuable online assets remain safe and secure. Start taking action today to protect your domains and ensure their longevity on the internet.
Reach out to our team to learn more!
