Don't Be a Sitting Duck: Protect Your Domain from Hijacking

In today’s business world, your website address is as crucial as your phone number or email. Your web domain represents your identity online and is often the first impression of your business. At sittingduck.com.au, powered by National PC, our mission is to ensure businesses stay protected from the ever-growing threats in the digital space—including domain hijacking.

Imagine this: you’ve built a website that showcases your brand, meticulously crafted every piece of content, and even set up business-critical email addresses (e.g., sales@yourbusinessname.com.au). Now, imagine the devastation of losing control over it all because someone stole your domain. This isn’t just a hypothetical scenario—it’s a reality that happens to businesses every day.

When a domain is hijacked, you lose access to your website, email addresses, and associated accounts. Reclaiming your domain is not only difficult but often expensive and time-consuming.

Real Consequences of Domain Hijacking

Here are real-life examples shared by the Infosec Institute:

  • An advertising agency spent US$15,000 and 19 months recovering its stolen domain.
  • The owner of ShadeDaddy.com lost US$50,000 and had to lay off six of its eight employees. He described the experience as if “your house got stolen.”

These stories highlight the devastating impact domain hijacking can have on businesses.

How Does Domain Hijacking Happen?

Domain hijacking occurs in several ways:

  1. Domain Expiry: Your domain name expires without your knowledge. Registrars are required to send reminders, but those notices might go to an outdated email or a web company you no longer work with. Once expired, your domain becomes available for anyone to purchase.
  2. Cybercriminal Hijacking:
    1. Phishing Attacks: Hackers trick you into revealing your credentials, then use password resets to take control of your domain.
    2. Registrar Compromise: Even accredited registrars can be targeted by cybercriminals.
  3. Domain Squatters: Opportunists buy expired domains to either profit from your desperation to regain it or redirect your traffic to malicious or irrelevant sites.

Why You Need to Protect Your Domain

If hijackers gain access to your domain, they can:

  • Redirect traffic to harmful or unrelated websites (e.g., gambling or phishing sites).
  • Use your domain to send fraudulent invoices or phishing emails.
  • Intercept your emails to steal sensitive business information.
  • Change your website content, potentially harming your reputation and business trust.

The damage isn’t just financial—it can tarnish your brand image, disrupt operations, and lead to data breaches.

How to Protect Your Domain

At National PC, we take a proactive approach to cybersecurity through our Empower Shield and other solutions. Here’s how you can safeguard your domain from hijackers:

  • Secure Your Credentials:
    • Use strong, unique passwords.
    • Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for an extra layer of protection.
  • Implement a Registry Lock:
    • This requires additional verification before any changes can be made to your domain, providing you with alerts and time to react to suspicious activity.
  • Partner with Experts:
    • Knowing who manages your domain is critical. A trusted partner like National PC can provide managed IT services that take care of your domain management, ensuring it remains secure and up to date.
  • Monitor Domain Expirations:
    • Stay on top of renewal dates to prevent accidental lapses that could result in loss of ownership.

Don’t Be a Sitting Duck—Take Action Today!

Cyber threats are constantly evolving, and domain hijacking is just one of the many risks businesses face in the digital age. At National PC, we’re committed to helping businesses stay ahead of these threats. Our goal is to protect your digital identity and give you peace of mind, so you can focus on growing your business.

Let our team at National PC manage your domain security as part of our holistic Empower Managed Services. We’ll ensure your domain—and your business—are protected against cybercrime.

Reach out to us today to learn how we can help you secure your online presence and protect your business from becoming a SITTING DUCK to cybercrime.