The
security of domain name registrations is an increasing
concern for domain name registrants and registrars.
However, there are steps you can take to increase the
security of your domain name registrations.
Domain
Name Security is often neglected by most organisations.
Infact a large number of hacking attempts do not really
need to happen at the Web Server level. Most hackers
can fairly disrupt your business by simply hijacking
your Domain Name. Most Registrars assign paramount importance
to Domain Security. Its important you chosoe the RIGHT
Registrar and who has implemented several security measures
and safety locks to prevent your Domain Name from getting
Hijacked or taken over.
There
are basically TWO basic options offered by Registrars
:
Password
based Security:
All
Domain Names have a password based security. All Domain
Names belonging to a particular Customer can only be
modified through the right Username and Password combination
of that customer.
Domain
LOCK - this is a MUST have for all due to the recently
announced TRANSFER Policy by ICANN (Visit : http://www.icann.org/transfers/policy-12jul04.htm)
Several
TLD Registries have the ability to create what is known
as a Domain LOCK. Most Registrars offers this feature
to Customers whereby you may place a LOCK on your Domain
Name. Once a Domain Name is locked NO modifications
can be made to the Domain by ANYONE. The Domain Name
may not even be transferred to another Registrar. The
Domain will remain in a LOCKED status until you yourself
choose to remove the LOCK. This feature is by far the
most powerful feature to ensure that noone can make
any changes to your Domain Name without your express
approval.
Ok..what
should you do now ?
If
you own a domain name for your business or personal
use, run, don't walk, to the phone, call the company
you registered the name with, and make sure that name
is "locked down."
If
you don't, you could easily lose your rights to that
domain. And whether your Web site is an integral part
of your business, or just keyed to your family's activities,
waking up one morning without it could range from inconvenient
to disastrous.
Just
check the WHOIS of the domain. Every domain name will
have a column STATUS in the whois.
Make
sure it shows as below :
Domain
Status : LOCKED
Note:This
Domain Name is currently Locked. In this status the
domain name cannot be transferred, hijacked, or modified.
The Owner of this domain name can easily change this
status from their control panel. This feature is provided
as a security measure against fraudulent domain name
hijacking.
About
The Author
Teeyes Siva heads the Sales Operations @ aalpha NET.
He can be reached @ siva@aalphanet.com or 00 91 0 93441
05858. aalpha NET (http://www.aalphanet.com) - is India’s
leading domain name registration, web hosting service
provider. Now also providing .co.in Indian domain registrations.
