Your domain name is the cornerstone of your online presence and brand identity. Losing control of it can lead to financial losses, damage to your reputation, or worse – cybercriminals exploiting your name. That’s why protecting your domain name should be a high priority for businesses of any size.
Here are 10 practical steps you can take to help protect your domain name and your brand.
10 tips to help improve domain name security
- Choose a reputable domain registrar.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA).
- Always enable domain locking.
- Use strong, unique passwords.
- Enable Whois Privacy Protection.
- Regularly update your contact information.
- Get an SSL certificate.
- Set up auto-renewal for your domain.
- Beware of phishing attempts.
- Monitor your domain regularly.
1. Choose a reputable domain registrar
Your first line of defense is selecting a domain registrar or hosting company that prioritizes security and reliability, such as Openprovider. Not all registrars offer the same level of protection, so research carefully before committing. Look for features such as SSL certificates, DNSSEC support, and domain transfer locks. Additionally, check customer reviews to make sure your chosen registrar offers responsive support in case of emergencies.
2. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)
Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds a critical layer of security to your domain registrar account. Even if someone guesses or steals your password, they won’t be able to access your account without the second authentication factor, such as a code sent to your phone or generated by an authentication app. Set up 2FA for your registrar account immediately and encourage your team to do the same if they have access.
3. Always enable domain locking
Domain locking is a simple but essential feature that protects your domain from unauthorized transfers. When enabled, this feature prevents your domain from being moved to another registrar without your explicit authorization. Many registrars allow you to toggle this setting on your account dashboard. Keep domain locking active at all times to prevent accidental or malicious changes.
4. Use strong, unique passwords
A weak or reused password is a security risk you can’t afford. Use passwords that are long, complex, and unique to your registrar account. Avoid using common phrases or words, and include a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. If creating and remembering strong passwords feels daunting, a password manager like LastPass can simplify the process by generating passwords for you and storing them all in one place.
Remember that strong passwords should include:
- A minimum of one lowercase letter (a-z).
- A minimum of one uppercase letter (A-Z).
- A minimum of one numeric character (0-9).
- A minimum of one special character (~`!@#$%^&*()-_+={}[]|\;:”<>,./?)
- 10+ characters or more.
5. Enable Whois privacy protection
Whenever you register a domain, your contact information – such as your name, email, phone number, and address – can be publicly visible through Whois records. Cybercriminals often mine this data for phishing campaigns or identity theft.
Whois privacy protection masks your contact information, keeping it hidden from prying eyes while still allowing legitimate inquiries to reach you through anonymized channels.
6. Regularly update your contact information
It’s important to keep your domain registrar account’s contact information accurate and up to date. If your email address or phone number changes and you don’t update it, you might miss critical notifications about your domain, such as renewal reminders or alerts about potential security issues. Remember to update your contact details in your registrar account directly in case any of them change.
7. Get an SSL certificate
An SSL certificate secures the connection between your website and its visitors by encrypting data transferred over the internet. It helps protect sensitive information such as your customers’ login credentials and payment details. A
Additionally, an SSL certificate boosts customer trust by displaying a padlock icon in the browser’s address bar and is increasingly necessary to avoid warnings in modern browsers.
Most domain registrars and hosting providers offer SSL certificates, and implementing one is a straightforward way to enhance your domain security.
8. Set up auto-renewal for your domain
Forgetting to renew your domain is a mistake that could cost you ownership of your most valuable digital asset. Setting up auto-renewal with your registrar ensures your domain remains registered to you without interruptions. Keep a payment method on file that won’t expire soon, and periodically confirm that your auto-renewal settings are active to avoid surprises.
9. Beware of phishing attempts
Phishing attacks targeting domain owners are increasingly common. Cybercriminals may send emails that appear to be from your registrar, requesting sensitive information or asking you to click on a link. Always verify the legitimacy of such emails by checking the sender’s address and contacting your registrar directly if you’re unsure. Never click on suspicious links or provide personal details without thorough verification.
10. Monitor your domain regularly
Monitoring your domain is an essential part of staying secure. Check your account activity for unauthorized logins, review DNS settings for unexpected changes, and use domain monitoring tools to receive alerts about suspicious activity. Regular monitoring ensures that you can quickly respond to threats and keep your domain safe from tampering or theft.
Conclusion
Your domain name is one of your most valuable online assets. Securing it protects your brand, customers, and reputation. Implementing the ten security tips in this article can significantly reduce your risk of domain-related threats.
Are you managing a larger portfolio of domains for your organization or as a web hoster or digital agency? At Openprovider, we offer advanced security features in bulk, including free Whois privacy protection for every domain and affordable, high-quality SSL certificates to help you safeguard your domains. As a Member, you also get:
- Operations for 1,900+ TLDs at cost price.
- One intuitive control panel to manage all domains and products.
- Integration with our own REST API, plus WHMCS and 7 other platforms to automate your business.
- A dedicated account manager for support along the way.
