Your domain name (www.yourcompany.com) is an important asset, and should be protected with security measures and diligent management. Yet, people often get confused about domain renewals.
It’s not surprising, because some shady registration companies
will try to trick you by mailing domain transfer letters, deliberately
disguised as renewal notices. Worse yet, there are unscrupulous domain
pirates and hijackers out there who target unsuspecting organizations
to gain control of their domain and hold it for ransom. Once they have
control, it is often very expensive or impossible to get it back.
Your domain registration is public information, which makes it easy for others to look up your information and trick you if you aren’t paying attention. In the best scenario you’ll be charged higher prices for poor service and shady business practices. More seriously, your domain could be registered with a company under investigation for illegal practices, and they could go out of business tomorrow. Worst case scenario, you could fall victim to an outright scam trying to get your credit card information, or hold your domain name hostage until you pay a ransom. Often, your domain is transferred out of the country where the legal system can’t reach it. Domain hijackers and pirates can also jeopardize your business reputation, by pointing your website address to embarrassing adult sites to get your ransom money quickly.
Hopefully by now you are convinced that safeguarding your domain is an
important task! Here are some tips to protect your domains:
- Keep a list of all your domains, when they expire, and where
they are registered. If you have multiple domains, consolidate
your domains into one account as they come up for renewal, so you can
easily keep track of them. - If you don’t know your current domain provider, you can do a “whois” search. For example, visit www.directnic.com and perform a search for your domain name and extension (such as yourdomain.com),
and selecting the whois radiobutton in the search box. Your results
will list your registrar near the top of the whois information. - While you are looking at your whois information, doublecheck
that the following information is correct:- Is your company listed as the owner of the website?
- Is your contact information – email address, phone number and address – correct?
- What is your domain’s expiration date?
- Are you listed as both the owner and the administrative contact?
- Any errors or outdated information should be corrected right
away – this information is where your renewal email will
be sent. Most legitimate domain providers have online account managers, where you can log in and edit your account information. - While you are in your account manager, look in your customer settings
for security options. Many domain registries allow you to lock
your domain, and protect it from being accidentally transferred
to another registry without “unlocking” your website before
it can be transferred. - Most companies now send email renewals, rather than postal mail renewals. If you get a renewal letter in the mail, chances are it is fraudulent or shady at best. When you get a renewal notice by email, be sure it is from your own domain registrar before you renew.
- Finally, if you are using spam filters, make sure your domain registry’s email address is added to your address book to be sure your renewal notices are not filtered as junk mail!
If you have any questions about your domain registry, please feel free to call or send me an email before you take any action.
{ 0 comments }
