There are a few common ways that thieves are able to take control of a domain name. Many domains are stolen because their owners didn't take the time to follow proper security precautions. At DomainTheft.org we have heard of just about every possible way a domain can be stolen and compliled a list of steps you can take to make sure your domains are secure and are transferred safely in the event of a sale.
- Never use Gmail, Yahoo or any other free email service as the contact on your domains.
The #1 way in which domains are stolen is by thieves hacking-into your email account and authorizing a transfer. Free email services have many known exploits and are not secure for domain registration. Use an email address like yourname@yourdomain.com and you will thwart a large majority of attempted thefts.
- Choose a secure password at your registrar.
This may seem like an obvious one but it's amazing how many people use their address, children's names, or birthday in their passwords. If a thief wants to take one of your names they will try passwords like this at your registrar. Use a completely random password with upper and lower-case letters and include a few numbers as well. Remember, if a thief can access your registrar they can transfer as many names as they want!
- Pick a trusted registrar.
Don't pick a tiny registrar that nobody has ever heard of. If you are buying high-value domain names you will want to keep these names with a trusted registrar that has been in business for a long time and has taken proper security precautions. Some of the top registrars for security that are used by domain investors are Moniker, Fabulous, and Name.com.
- Use an Escrow Service When Selling Domains
Make sure to use an escrow service like Escrow.com whenever you sell a domain name. Avoid using Pay Pal and be weary of any buyer that will only pay using Pay Pal. One of the #1 ways that domain names are stolen during the sales process is when a buyer pays via Pay Pal, accepts the domain, and then requests a refund through Pay Pal saying they never received the domain name. Using an escrow service will ensure that the money is secured before you transfer your domain.
- Remember to Lock Domains After Purchase
When you buy a domain name they will sometimes come-into your account unlocked. Make sure all of your domains are locked so that there is an additional step required should someone try to initiate a transfer.By following the five steps above you can help keep your domains secure and prevent theft. While following the steps above cannot guarantee that your domains will not be stolen this does provide security against a vast majority of the techniques used by domain thieves.
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