How to Protect Your Domain from Hijacking: Complete Security Guide (2025)

Quick Answer

Key Takeaways

What Is Domain Hijacking?

Domain hijacking (domain theft) occurs when someone gains unauthorized control of your domain name and transfers it away or changes critical settings without permission.

How it happens:

Account compromise: Attacker gains access to registrar account through stolen/weak passwords, phishing, or social engineering

Email takeover: Attacker compromises contact email, requests password reset, gains account access

Expired domains: Owner forgets to renew, domain becomes available, attacker registers it

Registrar vulnerabilities: Security flaws or insider threats at registrar enable unauthorized access

Social engineering: Attacker tricks support staff into making changes by impersonating owner

DNS hijacking: Separate but related—attacker changes DNS records to redirect traffic without transferring domain

Essential Security Measures

1. Enable Registrar Lock

What it is: Transfer lock (domain lock) prevents unauthorized transfers to other registrars.

How to enable:

1. Log into registrar account
2. Navigate to domain management
3. Find "Domain Lock" or "Transfer Lock"
4. Enable/activate lock
5. Verify status shows "Locked"

Why it matters:

• Blocks transfers without explicit unlock
• Most important single security measure
• Standard feature at all major registrars
• Free on virtually all domains

Status codes:

clientTransferProhibited - Transfer locked
serverTransferProhibited - Registry-level lock

Check status:

whois yourdomain.com | grep -i prohibited

Recommendation: Always keep enabled except during legitimate transfers.

2. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

What it is: Requires second verification factor (phone, authenticator app) beyond password.

How to enable:

1. Access registrar account security settings
2. Find "Two-Factor Authentication" or "2FA"
3. Choose method (authenticator app recommended)
4. Scan QR code with app (Google Authenticator, Authy, 1Password)
5. Enter verification code
6. Save backup codes securely

2FA methods ranked:

Best: Authenticator app (Google Authenticator, Authy, 1Password) Good: Hardware security key (YubiKey, Titan Key) Acceptable: SMS (phone number) Avoid: Email-based (if email is compromised, 2FA fails)

Why it matters:

• Blocks account access even with stolen password
• Prevents 99%+ of automated attacks
• Required for high-value domains

Registrars with strong 2FA:

• Cloudflare (supports hardware keys)
• Namecheap (authenticator app)
• Google Domains/Squarespace
• Porkbun
• GoDaddy

3. Strong Unique Passwords

Password requirements:

Length: 16+ characters minimum Complexity: Mix uppercase, lowercase, numbers, symbols Uniqueness: Never reuse across sites Storage: Use password manager (1Password, Bitwarden, LastPass)

Bad password examples:

MyDomain2025
Company123!
password123456

Good password examples:

Kx9#mP2$vL8@nQ4&wR7^tY1
hG8$fD3&sA6#jK9@lM2^pN5

Best practice: Let password manager generate random passwords.

Change passwords:

• Immediately if breach suspected
• Every 6-12 months for critical accounts
• After employee departures (business accounts)

4. Secure Email Accounts

Why email security matters:

Your domain's security depends on contact email security because:

• Password resets sent to email
• Transfer confirmations sent to email
• Domain expiration notices sent to email
• Registrar lock changes confirmed via email

Email security checklist:

✅ Enable 2FA on all email accounts (Gmail, Outlook, etc.) ✅ Use strong unique password for email ✅ Never use public/shared email for domain registration ✅ Monitor for suspicious activity and login alerts ✅ Use dedicated email for domain management ([email protected]) ✅ Keep email provider current and renewed ✅ Enable email alerts for login from new devices

Email compromise = domain compromise

If attacker gets your email:

1. Request password reset at registrar
2. Receive reset link in email
3. Change registrar password
4. Disable 2FA
5. Unlock domain
6. Transfer domain away

Protect email as carefully as domain itself.

5. WHOIS Privacy Protection

What it protects:

With WHOIS privacy enabled, your personal information is hidden:

• Personal name
• Email address
• Phone number
• Street address

Replaced with proxy service contact info.

Security benefits:

✓ Reduces social engineering—attackers can't impersonate you using public info ✓ Prevents targeted phishing—less personal data available for convincing attacks ✓ Limits spam and scams—contact info not harvested from WHOIS ✓ Protects identity—personal details not publicly searchable

How to enable:

1. Log into registrar account
2. Navigate to domain management
3. Find "WHOIS Privacy" or "Domain Privacy"
4. Enable/purchase if not free
5. Verify WHOIS shows privacy service

Cost: Free to $10/year (many registrars include free)

Note: GDPR already redacts personal data for EU residents, but privacy services provide additional benefits globally.

6. Registry Lock (Premium Security)

What it is: Higher-level lock requiring manual authorization from domain owner before any changes.

How it works:

• Enabled at registry level (above registrar)
• Prevents: transfers, deletions, DNS changes, contact updates
• Changes require: email/phone verification, sometimes notarized documents
• Processing time: 24-48 hours to unlock for legitimate changes

Who needs it:

• High-value domains
• Critical business domains
• Domains targeted by attackers
• Domains worth $100,000+
• Brands and trademarks

Availability:

• Available for most gTLDs (.com, .net, .org)
• Must request through registrar
• Not all registrars offer it

Cost: $100-1,000/year depending on registrar

Registrars offering registry lock:

• MarkMonitor
• CSC Digital Brand Services
• Safenames
• Some enterprise plans at major registrars

Status codes:

serverUpdateProhibited
serverDeleteProhibited
serverTransferProhibited

Domain Monitoring

Set up alerts for:

✅ DNS changes—unauthorized nameserver modifications ✅ WHOIS changes—contact info updates ✅ Transfer status—unlock or transfer attempts ✅ Expiration dates—renewal reminders ✅ Account logins—new device or location ✅ Email changes—contact email modifications

Monitoring tools:

Free options:

• Registrar's built-in alerts
• WHOIS monitoring services
• DNS monitoring (HetrixTools free plan)

Paid options:

• DomainTools ($99+/month)
• Brand protection services
• DNS monitoring services ($10-50/month)

DIY monitoring:

# Check WHOIS weekly
whois yourdomain.com > domain_status.txt

# Compare with previous
diff previous_status.txt domain_status.txt

Why it matters:

• Early detection of unauthorized changes
• Time to respond before major damage
• Evidence for recovery process

Choosing Secure Registrars

Security features to look for:

✅ Two-factor authentication (authenticator app support) ✅ Transfer locks (standard) ✅ Registry lock option (for critical domains) ✅ Login alerts and activity logs ✅ DNSSEC support ✅ Account recovery process (secure but accessible) ✅ Customer support (responsive, knowledgeable) ✅ Security track record (no major breaches)

Recommended registrars for security:

Cloudflare Registrar

• Strong security focus
• Free WHOIS privacy
• 2FA with hardware key support
• No upsells or dark patterns

Namecheap

• Good security features
• Free WHOIS privacy
• 2FA available
• Established reputation

Porkbun

• Strong security
• Free privacy
• No-nonsense interface
• Good support

Google Domains (now Squarespace Domains)

• Google-level security
• Free privacy
• Simple management

Avoid:

• Registrars with frequent security incidents
• Providers with poor support reputation
• Registrars making security hard to enable
• Unknown/new registrars for critical domains

What to Do If Hijacked

Immediate actions:

1. Contact registrar immediately

• Call and email support
• Report unauthorized access
• Request emergency lock

2. Document everything

• Screenshot current status
• Save WHOIS records
• Log all communications
• Gather ownership proof

3. Secure your accounts

• Change all passwords
• Enable 2FA if not already
• Secure email accounts
• Check for unauthorized changes

4. File complaints

• ICANN complaint (icann.org/resources/pages/complaints)
• Registrar escalation
• Gaining registrar (if transferred)
• Losing registrar

5. Legal options

• UDRP complaint (if transferred)
• Legal counsel for high-value domains
• Law enforcement (if criminal)

Recovery timeline:

• 7-10 days: ICANN investigation
• 15-30 days: UDRP process
• 30-90 days: Legal recovery
• Not guaranteed: Some domains never recovered

Prevention is infinitely better than recovery.

Advanced Security Practices

For businesses and high-value domains:

Separate credentials: Use different accounts/emails for different domains

Regular security audits: Review access, settings, and activity quarterly

Employee access control: Limit who can access domain accounts, revoke access when employees leave

Documented procedures: Written process for domain changes, transfers, renewals

Regular backups: Export DNS settings, WHOIS data, configurations regularly

Domain portfolio management: Use dedicated platform for managing multiple domains

Legal protection: Register trademarks, document ownership clearly

Disaster recovery plan: Know exactly what to do if domain is compromised

Security Checklist

Use this checklist to secure your domains:

Account Security:

• Enable two-factor authentication
• Use strong unique password (16+ characters)
• Use password manager
• Secure contact email with 2FA
• Use dedicated domain management email
• Enable login alerts

Domain Security:

• Enable registrar lock (transfer lock)
• Enable WHOIS privacy
• Consider registry lock (high-value domains)
• Set up auto-renewal
• Add billing alerts before expiration
• Verify contact information is current

Monitoring:

• Enable registrar alerts
• Set up DNS monitoring
• Check WHOIS status monthly
• Review account activity regularly
• Monitor domain expiration dates

Documentation:

• Save EPP/authorization codes securely
• Document current DNS settings
• Keep proof of ownership
• Maintain registrar account credentials in secure vault
• Document security procedures

Common Hijacking Methods to Avoid

Phishing emails:

• Fake registrar emails requesting login
• Urgent renewal notices with malicious links
• Fake security alerts

Protection: Never click email links, always login directly to registrar site, verify sender addresses

Social engineering:

• Caller impersonating you to support
• Fake ID documents
• Convincing backstories

Protection: Strong account security questions, support PIN codes, verbal passwords

Weak passwords:

• Dictionary words
• Personal information
• Reused across sites

Protection: Password manager with generated passwords

Expired domains:

• Forgetting renewal dates
• Credit card expiration
• Auto-renewal disabled

Protection: Auto-renewal enabled, multiple payment methods, calendar reminders

Malware/keyloggers:

• Infected computer capturing passwords
• Credential-stealing malware

Protection: Antivirus software, secure devices, avoid public computers for domain management

Next Steps

Secure Your Domain Now:

1. Enable registrar lock: Lock Your Domain Guide
2. Activate 2FA: Two-Factor Authentication Setup
3. Review security settings: Domain Security Checklist

Learn More:

1. WHOIS privacy: Domain Privacy Protection Guide
2. DNS security: DNSSEC Explained
3. Best practices: Complete Domain Security Guide

Domain owners concerned about security