[Protect Domain Name] How to secure a domain name?

Have you purchased a domain name?

Is your domain name at risk?

If Yes, then how to secure your domain name? or how to protect domain name from cybersquatting?

Well, In this guide, you will come to know that you can easily secure your domain name with the essential tips I will give you.

So, let’s see how to protect your domain name…

First, we will learn why domain name security is important and then the steps or process of how to secure a domain name.

So, let’s dive in…

Why Security for Domain Names is important?

A domain name is one of a company’s or online business’s most valuable assets. it is much more than just your website address because it reflects who you are as a company.

So, whether you have been using your domain name for years or have just acquired it, you should obviously be sure to protect it.

• Domain security is very essential for your own website’s protection and your website’s visitors’ protection.
• Internet users are becoming more knowledgeable about the dangers of cyber theft. They are worried about their privacy and safety and want to learn how to recognize a dangerous website.
• A security breach that makes all associated logins and the domain owner public is the worst thing that can happen to a website’s reputation.
• When creating their general website security policies, many domain owners forget to consider the security of their domain name.
• In addition to the harm to your brand and business, recovery time can be expensive and slow.
• Because of the rise in web-based attacks, domain security is more essential than ever.
• Because people don’t take the simplest security precautions to safeguard their domains, cybercrime takes on increasingly sophisticated forms. 

Fortunately, you, as the domain name holder, can take a number of precautions to protect your domain name against loss and theft.

Although protecting your website may seem difficult, there are steps you can take to prevent hackers and keep your domain safe.

Use important security advice to guard it and reduce the likelihood that it will be stolen or misused.

Dive into this guide for protecting your digital property with essential steps.

Essential steps to protect your domain name

Now, I am going to tell you the very essential things which you can apply to protect your domain name.

You can apply step by step and build strong security for your domain name and keep the domain name scammers far away from your reach.

#1. Domain Name Trademark and Logo

It’s a good idea to file a trademark application for your domain name and logo.

It may be possible to register your domain name as a trademark if it uniquely identifies your products or services.

If you register your domain name and logo, you may be able to prevent others from using similar names.

#2. Choose Domain Name Registrar

Select a trustworthy domain registrar to continue without interruption. If someone leaves, a domain name should be registered under the company name.

Make sure your registrar has a lot of experience and can handle the domains you want to register.

Don’t buy your domain from an unknown domain name registrar you’ve never heard of.

Make sure the registrar is licensed to sell domains, has a good track record, and is reliable.

Look for more than just a low price when selecting a registrar; you will need high-quality service with responsive customer service.

Check to see if your registrar offers additional security features like:

• Two-Factor Authentication
• Account changes are notified to you, such as a pending domain transfer.
• Technical support that is readily available and knowledgeable to assist you in implementing domain name security.

I have also mentioned the best places to buy domain names in detail.

#3. Contact Information

You should provide your domain name registrar with the right and accurate information.

There are chances that inaccurate information provided to your domain name registrar may result in the cancellation of your domain.

• It also helps you if your domain provider needs to contact you. You should give the registrar a permanent email address, contact number, or any other details.
• Your domain name registrar may send you an email reminder, before the renewal due date of your domain name.
• If there are any payment issues, if someone requests to transfer your domain name, or if there is a problem with the domain name, your registrar may be able to contact you at that address.
• As a result, it’s critical to double-check that the domain registrar’s contact information is current. It’s essential to keep the contact information up to date.

Make sure you’re not using a free service that will expire if you don’t renew it when you mention your contact email address. So use a permanent email address.

Avoid using an e-mail address that contains the domain name for secure domain registration.

With a little caution, you can gain a lot of advantages. It’s just as important to keep your domain name secure as it is to keep your hosting account secure.

#4. Domain Name Expire

If you register a domain name for one year and renew it next year, then keep track of your domain name registration’s expiration date to make sure you don’t forget to renew it.

If you have multiple domain names, then you should consider combining the expiration dates of all of their domain names to make renewal more systematic and easier to remember. 

Or if you want a more easy way to manage this thing, then you can opt for a longer period.

Here is how:

Longer Period of Registration: Instead of renewing your domain name annually, you can choose a domain name for a long period of time.

Registering your domain name for a 10-year period can help you avoid forgetting to renew it later. You should be aware of Domain Name Scams.

There is one more way to secure your domain name from expiring.

And that is Auto Renew.

Auto-Renew: You can enable the Auto-Renew option while checking out or later in the settings.

This will help you secure your domain so that you are not locked out when it expires.

Some people are attempting to trick you into paying them by sending you emails regarding your domain name.

If you’re unsure, delete or ignore them, and if you have any questions, contact the registrar directly.

Just be sure you always keep one or two current payment methods, such as a credit card, and update your payment information when your credit card expires.

You can turn on auto-renew as shown in the below image…

#5. Secure your account

Anyone with access to your domain registrar account can hijack your domain name or transfer it to a new owner.

As a result, maintaining the security of your account is critical. This means you should use a long, strong password that is difficult for a hacker to guess.

Use Strong Password: Use a Password That Isn’t Too Easy to Guess. Make a password with two random letters, at least one digit, and one symbol. This makes guessing the password more difficult.

Online services are frequently hacked, exposing usernames and passwords to criminals who may try to hijack your domain name by using the information you provide for other accounts.

Create a strong password that you only use for your domain name account to avoid this.

Do not share your password: Never give out your online account login information to anyone.

Two-Step Verification: Two-Step Verification should be implemented. This is an additional security method of verification.

Wherever possible, use two-step verification. These can assist you in preventing cyber criminals from stealing your data.

#6. Lock the Transfer of your Domain Name

“Registrar Lock,’ also known as “domain lock” or “transfer lock,” is a service provided by most registrars. This lock protects your domain from being transferred without your permission, either accidentally or illegally.

Your domain cannot be transferred without your permission if the registrar lock is enabled.

When a domain is “locked,” you can only transfer it by logging into your account and unlocking the domain. The registrar lock, of course, will not protect your domain name from someone with access to your account.

This system, on the other hand, will prevent someone from impersonating you and attempting to transfer the domain through phone calls or emails.

In most cases, by default, it is locked. The transfer lock is implemented differently by each registrar.

To remove the lock, some require two-factor authentication, while others only need the registrant’s permission. Consult your registrar’s policies on transfer lock to see if it’s a service you want.

#7. Use DNS Protection Services

Using DNS protection services like Cloudflare, ZoneEdit, or DynDNS is a good idea. They help you in the protection of your domain from DDoS and malware attacks.

#8. Protect with SSL

One of the most well-known security features available is SSL protection.  An SSL Certificate can help you protect your customers from identity theft.

You must always use an SSL certificate with a domain name. 

Install an SSL certificate to secure your website and protect your users’ information with HTTPS encryption.

SSL certification encrypts sensitive information sent from a customer’s computer to your domain web servers, such as their name, bank account information, and billing address.

This procedure ensures that their personal information is not compromised.

Google also says that SSL is a ranking signal in its update on August  07, 2014.

You can get an SSL certificate from Domain Name or Web Hosting Provider or from a 3rd Party as well.

#9. Domain Privacy Protection

Domain Privacy Protection adds an extra layer of security against unwanted inquiries about who owns the domain name or who can contact them.

Many registrars provide domain privacy [WHOIS] as a free service, or they may charge a small monthly fee for it.

Domain name privacy is extremely important.

You can also learn more about privacy protection with an example.

What is WHOIS Database?

WHOIS is a public database that provides information about domain name ownership to its users. All website owners are required to provide their registrar with accurate contact information.  A WHOIS record is created using the information you provided when you registered your domain. Anyone searching the WHOIS database can find your contact information.

This information is especially valuable to domain thieves because they can impersonate you and try to transfer your domain to a new owner using your contact information.

This information could be used by domain name thieves to transfer your domain name to another user or to contact you and reveal your password.

If you want to be away from this situation, you should opt for private domain registration.

Most domain registrars offer domain privacy as an add-on service for site owners who don’t want their contact information to be visible to the public.

The domain registrar’s contact information will be swapped with yours. 

You can use Domain Privacy Protection to keep your name, address, and phone number from becoming publicly available.

Here’s an example of a WHOIS result for an unprotected.com domain that includes the registrant information.

All protected WHOIS queries return only basic information about the registrar. You can make use of services like WHSR Tool or who.is to check your WHOIS information.

#10. Be aware of Scams

Scammers try to manipulate you by exploiting your sense of security and confidence in order to gain control of your domain without your permission.

Don’t let scammers steal it from you. Avoid falling into the trap of an obsessive domainer unless you have a strong desire to sell your domain.

Ignore domainers’ insistent request emails as much as possible. If they insult or threaten you, report them to your email provider and registrar, or, if available, to the domainer’s ISP. Defamation and menacing are both crimes that can lead to legal consequences.

#11. Not for Sale

If you are receiving an email regarding the “selling or purchasing of your domain name”.

Make it clear with a homepage banner or a disclaimer that any offer to buy your domain will be ignored.

#12. Online Brand Name Thief

Set up Google alerts for your company name and use social media management tools like SocialMention to see when your company name is mentioned online.

This will notify you if someone else is using your company name, a similar name, or a similar trademark illegally, allowing you to take swift action.

You have a better chance of stopping the infringement before it damages your brand if you act quickly.

#13. Surf Online Safely

Take care when clicking links in emails, opening attachments, and visiting websites.

Criminals can use these methods to steal your username and password.

Summary

Did you use these tips to secure your domain name?

And the number 5 step is that you should never ignore in any case.

Let me know which things you already know and which you don’t?