How to Protect Your Business from a Domain Hijack

Domain names are critical assets for a business’s online presence, as they help establish and reinforce brand identity. As a business owner, it is key to protect your business’s domain name from cyber threats, including domain hijacking.

 Domain hijacking is a form of cyberattack where a cybercriminal gains control of a domain name without the owner’s permission. Unfortunately, domain hijacking can cause significant damage to your brand reputation, website traffic, and overall revenue for a site. 

Below, we break down the basics of domain hijacking, how to prevent it and what to do to mitigate its effects should you experience it.

How Does Domain Hijacking Happen?

Domain hijacking, also known as domain theft, can result from a variety of circumstances.

The most common methods used by cybercriminals to hijack domains include:

• Phishing scams: Domain hijackers can use phishing techniques to trick domain owners into providing login credentials or other sensitive information. Scammers may send fraudulent emails or create fake login pages that resemble legitimate domain registrar or hosting provider websites. Once the domain owner unwittingly provides their information, the hijacker can then use it to gain control over the domain.
• Social engineering: Domain hijackers may attempt to manipulate the domain registrar or hosting provider support staff by impersonating the domain owner or providing false information. For example, they might claim they have lost access to their account or that they need to make urgent changes. If successful, they will convince the support staff to transfer the domain to their control.
• Weak passwords: If a domain owner creates a weak or easily guessable password, it becomes easier for attackers to gain unauthorized access to their domain registrar or hosting provider account. The hijacker can then modify the account settings and transfer the domain to another registrar or modify the domain’s DNS records.
• Expired domain recovery: When a domain registration expires, there is typically a grace period during which the original owner can renew it. Domain hijackers can monitor and identify expired domains of value and attempt to register them immediately after they become available. If the original owner fails to renew the domain promptly, the hijacker can register it and take control.
• Malware attacks: Domain hijacking from a malware attack refers to a situation where malicious software infects a computer or network and alters the DNS (Domain Name System) settings to redirect users to fraudulent or malicious websites.

Domain hijacking can have a lasting impact on the registrant in terms of their business, operations, and reputation.

Luckily, there are some warning signs that arise if your domain has been hijacked. These signs include:

• Changes in website content or appearance
• Loss of website traffic
• Inability to access domain settings

Strategies to Prevent Domain Hijacking

It is key to continually check your domain settings, DNS records, and website traffic to help detect any suspicious activity or changes. By regularly monitoring domain activity, you can quickly identify any suspicious or unauthorized changes to your domain settings. This includes monitoring changes to DNS records, WHOIS information, domain transfers, or any unexpected modifications made to your domain registrar or hosting provider account.

Promptly responding to any unusual activity can also help mitigate the risk of domain hijacking. If you notice unauthorized changes or suspicious behavior, you can take immediate action to rectify the situation, such as contacting your domain registrar or hosting provider to report the issue and regain control of your domain.

Keep an eye on your domain registrar or hosting provider account for any signs of unauthorized access. If you notice login attempts from unfamiliar IP addresses or any other suspicious activity, it could indicate an attempted hijacking. Take immediate action to secure your account, such as changing your password, enabling two-factor authentication, or contacting customer support for assistance.

Many domain registrars provide notifications or alerts for account and domain activity. Stay informed about any updates, such as domain transfer requests or changes to contact information. If you receive unexpected notifications, investigate them to ensure they are legitimate and not part of a hijacking attempt.

Additionally, enabling a registrar lock and domain privacy settings can prevent unauthorized transfers or changes to your domain.

Back-up Domain Files and Data

Keeping regular backups of your domain files and data can help restore your website, reduce downtime, and minimize the overall impact of a domain hijack. In the event of a successful domain hijacking attempt, the hijacker may gain control over your domain and potentially modify or delete your website’s files, databases, or other crucial data.

If a domain hijacker manages to transfer your domain to another registrar or modify its DNS settings, it can be challenging to regain control. If you have backups of your domain files and data, you still retain copies of your website content, giving you a foundation to rebuild and restore your content, even if you need to obtain a new domain name.

Backing up domain files and data also allows you to conduct security analyses to determine the extent of the domain hijacking and identify any vulnerabilities that may have been exploited. By examining the backup files, you can assess how the attack occurred, identify potential security weaknesses, and take appropriate measures to strengthen your website’s defenses.

In severe cases of domain hijacking, you may want to involve law enforcement or engage in a forensic investigation. Having backups of your domain files and data can provide valuable evidence and help investigators understand the nature of the attack, the scope of the damage, and potentially identify the responsible party.

Work with a Reputable Registrar 

Reputable registrars prioritize the security of their customers’ domains by implementing robust security measures, including encryption protocols, advanced authentication methods, and monitoring systems to safeguard against unauthorized access and domain hijacking attempts. They also invest in regular security audits and updates to stay ahead of emerging threats.

Established registrars typically have reliable and secure infrastructure in place to handle domain management operations. They can also offer knowledgeable customer support to assist you in addressing any concerns related to domain security and hijacking attempts. 

NameSilo, for example, offers a free service, Domain Defender, that increases your account’s security levels and protects your domain from takeover or malicious attack.

What to do if Your Domain is Hijacked

If your domain does become hijacked, there are some immediate steps you can take to help rectify the situation.

First, make sure your domain name is not just simply expired. When a domain name expires, the DNS records are automatically changed, thus it will no longer point to the hosted account or open the formerly associated website. 

Next, you should be sure to contact your registrar, change your passwords, and monitor your website and email accounts. It is also important to contact relevant authorities, as reporting the hijack in a timely manner can help you regain control of your domain and hold the hijacker accountable.

In order to reclaim your domain and restore your online presence, work with your registrar. Doing so can help you regain your brand reputation and website traffic.

Trust Your Domain to NameSilo

It is important to be proactive when protecting your business’s domain. Implementing preventive measures and regularly monitoring your domain activity can help avoid domain hijacking and ultimately damage to your business’s reputation.

By implementing preventive measures to avoid domain hijacking, you can stay vigilant and protect your domain to minimize the risk of hijacking and safeguard your online presence.