A domain name serves as a memorable address that users enter in their browser to access your website, for example, yourbusiness.co.au. Consider it the street address of your website’s online residence.

Domain name registrations increased by 5.8 million last year, indicating the number of new online businesses emerging each year.

When you don’t take a few simple steps to secure your domain name, you could be leaving that digital door wide open to unknown attacks. Think about cyber threats where hackers try to gain unauthorised access or accidentally lose control of your website. It sounds scary, but protecting it is usually straightforward.

In this blog, we’ll learn why you need to secure your domain name and get some tips on how to do it. Let’s dive in!

Why Secure Your Domain Name?

Taking proactive steps now to secure your domain name helps protect your venture against:

  • Nasty Cyber Threats: Stops hackers from messing with your domain settings or pointing your address to dodgy websites.
  • Losing Ownership: Helps prevent losing your domain due to simple mistakes, such as forgetting to renew, or disputes over who actually owns it.
  • Damage to Your Brand: Keeps your online identity safe and sound, maintaining that crucial trust with your customers.
Also Read: Parked Domain: Benefits, Why & How To Register

Tips to Secure a Domain Name

Here are some simple tips to secure your domain name:

1. Select a trustworthy Domain Registrar

Your domain registrar is the company from which you buy your domain name. It’s essential to choose a reliable registrar.

  • Look for positive reviews from customers on the registrar’s website. Also, ensure they have strong security protocols.
  • Do not choose unknown or suspicious registrars that offer confusing policies.
    Features like domain lock and auto-renewal will make your life easier; therefore, look for registrars offering them.

2. Domain Lock

Domain lock prevents any unauthorised transfers of your domain name, and having this security feature further strengthens your overall security.

  • When you activate domain lock, you make sure your domain name doesn’t randomly get transferred to another registrar without your permission.
  • The qualities of a good registrar are the fact that they will automatically offer you domain lock as part of their offer.
Pro Tip: Keep an eye on your domain lock settings to ensure they are activated. 

3. Using Clever Passwords

No matter how strong your security package is, your overall security still depends on the strength of your password.

  • Get creative with your passwords and refrain from using simple combinations like “1234567” or “abcde”. Don’t include your personal information, like birth dates or names.
  • Even though it seems like an extra task, you need to change your passwords regularly.
  • Follow the security guidelines for password construction and include all the numbers and special characters as suggested.
Pro Tip: If you are struggling to generate strong passwords, use a password manager. This ensures high security levels.

4. Crucial Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

2FA is a sort of security feature you can set up from your side. It acts as an extra layer of security.

  • Even if your password gets leaked, the hacker would need the secondary verification information to pass through. This way, even if the password is compromised, your domain remains inaccessible.
  • Registrars offer 2FA either by mobile apps or email.
Also Read: Beyond Passwords: Two-Factor Authentication and Your Security

5. Monitor Domain Renewal Dates

You might buy a domain randomly one day and forget about it. In such cases:

  • Make sure you know your domain’s expiration date and always renew it on time.
  • If you’re too forgetful, automate the process and opt for auto-renewals with your registrars.
Pro Tip: When your domain shows long-term registration, it helps build credibility with search engines. 

6. Get Domain Privacy Protection

Short-term registration means that you’ll have to renew repeatedly, and sometimes you might even forget.

  • Register your domains for a longer term and stay secure with a permanent online presence.
  • If you opt for longer registration periods, you may get better offers and packages from registrars.

7. Secure Alternative Domain Extensions

You must plan further to safeguard your brand, and one way to do this is to buy additional domain extensions.

  • If your main operating domain is “hello.com”, register “hello.net” and “hello.org” too.
  • Make sure you redirect these alternative domains to the main domain’s page.

8. Using HTTPS Encryption

Adding HTTPS helps keep the connection between your users and domain absolutely secure.

  • HTTPS keeps sensitive data and passwords safe by encrypting data transfer.
  • HTTPS is favoured by search engines, meaning your website is likely to rank higher with this encryption.
Pro Tip: Remember to activate your SSL certificate, which is usually included free with most hosting providers.

9. Monitor Domain Activity

You must always keep an eye out and check your domain name for anything dodgy.

  • Always check your login history and domain settings regularly.
  • Use notifications to see if anyone is making unauthorised changes to your domain.

Wrapping Up

Your domain name is your online face and identity. If you want your brand to be trustworthy, consistent, and reliable, make sure to invest in proper security measures to keep your website running and secure.

Looking for secure domain services? Crazy Domains offers reliable solutions with added privacy and protection features.

Take control of your domain today with Crazy Domains!