Quick Takeaways
- Choose an ICANN-accredited, security-focused registrar for your domain.
- Always enable 2FA and use unique, strong passwords for domain accounts.
- Activate domain lock and WHOIS privacy to prevent unauthorized transfers and data exposure.
- Implement SSL certificates and DNSSEC to secure site traffic and protect DNS records.
- Monitor your domain regularly and set up auto-renewal to avoid accidental expiry or hijacking.
Owning a domain is the digital equivalent of owning prime real estate in the online world. For website owners and webmasters in India, your domain isn’t just an address—it’s your brand, your credibility, and the gateway for your customers.
But imagine that a customer calls to say your website isn’t loading—instead, it’s filled with strange advertisements. You try to log in to your domain and hosting account, but your domain registration has lapsed, and someone else has snapped it up. Or worse, a cybercriminal uses publicly visible WHOIS data to break into your domain account, hijacks your site, and redirects it elsewhere.
What will happen to your business and livelihood? Recovering your domain could mean a costly and stressful legal battle.
Did you know that domain security lapses are among the top reasons for website hacks, data breaches, and brand impersonation? In a landscape where cyber threats are constantly evolving, protecting your domain is essential. That’s why domain security is critical, but unfortunately, many people do not think about protecting their domain until it is too late.
In this comprehensive guide, you’ll discover practical steps, proven strategies, and actionable insights to boost your domain security. We’ll break down the most common risks webmasters face, share best practices adopted by leading brands, and reveal advanced techniques rarely discussed elsewhere.
Let’s dive into domain security, demystify jargon, and equip you with the tools you need to stay safe!
What is domain security and why does it matter?
Domain security refers to the practices, technologies, and policies that protect your website’s domain name from theft, hijacking, misuse, or unauthorized changes. For website owners, domain security is not just about safeguarding a web address—it’s about protecting your brand reputation, customer trust, and even your revenue streams.
According to IDC's DNS Threat Report, Indian companies saw the highest number of domain name system or DNS attacks in 2020 with 12.13 attacks per organisation, with 27% of companies in India (compared to 16% globally) were caught in data breaches, losing sensitive customer information due to DNS attacks.
As such, it is clear that domains are digital assets. A compromised domain can lead to data breaches, phishing attacks, and financial loss. Losing your domain—whether from accidental expiry or a cyberattack—can cause major setbacks for Indian businesses, including lost revenue, damaged reputation, and lengthy recovery battles.
Many Indian businesses overlook domain security, assuming their registrar handles everything. In reality, it's a shared responsibility—awareness is your first line of defence.
Fortunately, these risks can be avoided by adopting essential domain security measures and best practices.
Common domain security risks faced by India-based domain owners
Indian domains are uniquely targeted due to the rising digital economy and the popularity of .IN TLDs. Common risks include:
- Domain Hijacking: Unauthorized transfer of domain ownership.
- DNS Spoofing: Attackers redirect traffic to malicious sites.
- WHOIS Data Exposure: Leads to spam, phishing, and social engineering.
- Domain Expiry: Lapsed domains get snatched by cybercriminals.
16 best practices to help improve domain name security
Want to learn how you can secure your domain name? Follow the steps below to protect one of your business’s most valuable assets.
1. Use a reputable registrar
Trying to find the best domain name registrar on search engines will yield you millions of results. Even ICANN—the nonprofit organization responsible for coordinating the management of the technical side of domain registrations—has hundreds of domain name registrars listed on its website.
But not all registrars offer the same level of security. As part of your evaluation process, you must look for registrars with transparent customer support, ICANN accreditation and strong anti-abuse policies. ICANN-accredited registrars must adhere to strict global standards.
Opt for a domain registrar, like GoDaddy, that has a good reputation, takes security seriously, and has tools in place that facilitate domain name security.
Many Indian registrars are also reputable, but verify their security track record. Opt for registrars that offer security add-ons like 2FA, DNSSEC, and WHOIS privacy bundled.
Want to know if your domain is available? Search for it here:
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2. Enable registrar lock
Registrar lock prevents unauthorized changes. EPP (Extensible Provisioning Protocol) codes are unique keys needed for domain transfers—keep them confidential.
When you register your domain name, most registrars, including GoDaddy, will automatically lock it. This prevents unauthorized changes, including transfer to another registrar.
ICANN regulations state that when a transfer request has been filed, the registrar has five working days to respond. If there is no response, the transfer request will automatically be approved.
In other words, if someone other than you requests that the domain name be transferred to another registrar, the transfer will be automatically approved without a domain lock in place.
However, certain changes to your domain name settings might require you to unlock your domain. If that’s the case, be sure to lock it immediately after you’re done.
3. Choose a strong, unique password
Passwords remain the weakest link if not managed properly. A strong, unique password is a necessity for all your online accounts. This includes not only your domain registrar’s account but also the email account associated with your domain registration contact information.
But what makes a strong password?
A strong password usually contains at least eight to twelve characters, consisting of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. The downside to a strong, unique password is that it’s not always easy to remember.
Use password managers like LastPass, 1Password, Dashlane, or Bitwarden to create and store strong, unique passwords for every domain-related account. These tools keep all your passwords safe so you don’t have to remember them. Instead, you just need to remember a single master password that unlocks your password manager vault.
Password managers can also generate secure passwords for you, so you don’t have to remember everything that goes into creating a strong password.
4. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)
In addition to having a strong password, it’s a good idea to set up two-factor authentication for your most important online accounts. 2FA adds a critical layer of security by requiring a second verification step (like a mobile OTP or authenticator app).
With two-factor authentication (2FA), you’ll have to enter your password and use an additional method of verifying your identity.
This can include:
- A text message with a code sent to your phone
- An email with a special authorization code
- A code generated by a third-party app such as Google Authenticator, Authy, or similar
Once you set up two-factor authentication for your domain registrar’s account, even if someone gains access to your email, they won’t be able to log in without entering that special authorization code.
Pairing a strong password with two-factor authentication greatly increases your protection online.
Major domain registrars like GoDaddy India support 2FA. Always activate it for your domain management account. This can help you avoid a brute-force attack, which will prevent unauthorized access after a password leak.
If you’re a GoDaddy customer, here’s how to enable two-factor authentication on your account.
5. Use an SSL certificate
An SSL certificate enables websites to use the secure HTTPS protocol. An SSL certificate is a data file that’s hosted on a website’s origin server.
It contains information such as:
- The domain name for which the certificate was issued
- The person or organization that the certificate was issued to
- Who issued the certificate
- Issue and expiration date of the certificate
- Public key, which is a long string of characters used to encrypt and decrypt data passed between your website’s server and incoming traffic
This information ensures that your visitors’ sensitive information is encrypted so it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. It also prevents hackers from creating a fake version of your website and verifies the ownership of the website. In short, the SSL certificate encrypts data between your site and visitors, preventing interception.
Here are some types of SSL certificate you can take note of:
- Domain Validated (DV): Basic, fast setup.
- Organization Validated (OV): Shows business details.
- Extended Validation (EV): Highest trust, green address bar.
Most domain registrars have the option to purchase an SSL certificate directly from them, making domain name security easier to manage. We’ve covered what an SSL is and how you can add one to your website, in this guide.
6. Enable privacy protection
Your WHOIS record contains sensitive domain ownership info. Therefore, many domain registrars offer automatic privacy protection for your domain. This is also known as WHOIS privacy. By default, as soon as you register a domain name, some of your contact information may be visible online.
WHOIS privacy services mask your data from public view, reducing spam and targeted attacks. Some domain registrars offer this for free, while others will charge a small fee for domain protection on top of the domain registration cost. Regardless, it’s well worth paying a little extra to ensure your information cannot be accessed by anyone online.
Take note that some TLDs restrict full WHOIS privacy but allow proxy services. Always check your registrar’s policy.
Editor’s note: GoDaddy offers basic WHOIS privacy for all domains registered through us at no extra cost to you.
7. DNS security best practices: Implement DNSSEC and monitor DNS configurations
Choose DNS providers that offer DDoS protection, DNSSEC, and monitoring.
Securing your domain at the DNS layer is crucial to prevent attacks like DNS spoofing and cache poisoning. By implementing DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extensions), you add a layer of cryptographic authentication to your DNS data. DNSSEC digitally signs DNS records, protecting against spoofing.
This ensures that visitors reach your genuine website and not a malicious replica.
In addition to DNSSEC, it’s important to monitor your DNS traffic for any suspicious activity. Using private managed DNS servers allows you to configure specific security protocols and block harmful DNS connections.
Keeping your DNS configurations up to date helps protect against vulnerabilities that attackers might exploit.
8. Register similar domain names to prevent typosquatting
Typosquatting occurs when malicious actors register domain names that are similar to yours, often differing by just a character or using a different domain extension. They then use these domains to mislead your customers or distribute malware.
To protect your brand identity and prevent this, consider registering common misspellings and alternative domain extensions of your domain name.
With GoDaddy’s domain registration services, you can easily secure these additional domains to protect your brand identity. By securing these similar domains, you can redirect users who mistakenly type the wrong address and prevent others from misusing your brand.
9. Renew your domain regularly
Forgetting to renew your domain name could cause serious damage. For one, you run the risk of a competitor scooping it up. Secondly, a domain squatter could register your domain name and either refuse to sell it back to you or demand an exorbitantly high amount of money for it.
Whenever possible, ensure that your domain is set up with automatic renewal. Always keep contact info updated to receive renewal notices.
GoDaddy makes it easy to turn this option on in your domain management area.
In addition, consider registering your domain for a longer period of time. For example, instead of one year, opt for two, five, or even ten years. You’ll save money in the long run and gain immediate peace of mind in terms of domain name security.
10. Keep your contact details with the registrar up to date
Business address or email changes are not uncommon these days. However, be sure to keep your contact information up to date with your domain registrar.
Get into the practice of regularly checking your contact details and updating them whenever they change. This includes keeping your email, phone number, and contact address current.
It’s a good idea to always have this information associated with you rather than an employee or contractor (e.g., website designer). That way, if that employee ever leaves, you avoid the risk of losing your domain because you’ve disabled their email address or company phone number.
11. Beware of phishing emails
Unfortunately, phishing emails are prevalent. They could seem completely innocent and as if they’re coming from someone you know or a business you trust. In some cases, they might even appear to come from a government or other official agency.
Sometimes, bad actors use phishing as a tactic to gain access to domain names.
It’s hard to keep your guard up all the time as hackers continue to develop more sophisticated methods of gaining access to your accounts. Beware of any email you receive that want access to your sensitive information or asks you to click suspicious links that brings you to a screen to enter your username and password. Always go directly to the website, verify its authenticity before logging in. Most reputable companies won’t ask for your SSN, credit card information, or similar in an email.
If you’re not sure that the email is legitimate, it’s best to ignore it rather than risk exposing your financial or other sensitive information.
Tip: Use one email for your important accounts and another for anything that is public, such as the WHOIS record on your domain. Use a separate email account or purchase domain privacy, which hides your real information on the WHOIS so it is harder for people to trick you with a phishing attempt.
12. Keep your domain registrar information safe
Lastly, keep the information about your domain registrar safe. This includes storing your login email or username and password in a secure location, such as a password manager.
Don’t share your login information through a text message, email, or chat either.
Instead, use your password manager to securely share the password with other members on your team. Alternatively, some domain registrars will allow you to invite other users to your account so they can help you manage the more technical aspects.
13. Use an email address not associated with your domain when registering
When registering your domain, it’s wise to use an email address that isn’t linked to the domain itself. For example, instead of using admin@yourdomain.com, opt for a personal email or one from a different domain.
This precaution ensures that you retain access to important communications from your registrar even if your domain is compromised. In the event of hijacking, having an independent email helps you prove ownership and regain control more swiftly.
Additionally, avoid listing third parties, such as web designers or developers, as the registrant of your domain. Keeping the registrant information under your control prevents unauthorized transfers and potential disputes over domain ownership.
14. Keep your payment information up to date
An expired credit card or outdated payment method can lead to unintended domain expiration, causing you to lose your domain name.
While some domain protection plans can hold your domain name for an additional 90 days if your payment method expires at renewal, it’s best to avoid this risk entirely.
Regularly check and update your payment information with your domain registrar to ensure uninterrupted domain ownership and prevent potential downtime or loss of your domain.
15. Register your domain name in your own account
The importance of registering your domain name in your own account, with your own identity cannot be overstated. You can give a trusted employee or webmaster access to the domain without giving them access to your account. This would allow professionals to access your domain (or hosting) to work on your website without having the ability to remove those products from your account.
Life rarely goes the way you plan it. Protect yourself from a bad business break-up with a webmaster who decides to stop working with you and takes the access to your domain with them.
If you’re a GoDaddy customer, here’s how you can share access to your products but not your main account.
16. Protect your email address
Take the extra step to safeguard the email address tied to your account. If someone is able to get into your email, many times they have carte blanche to all your valuable accounts. A quick search through the inbox shows your domains, your bank accounts, etc. It only takes a few clicks to get a password reset — and your account is compromised. This is why enabling two-factor on your accounts — including your email accounts — is so important.
Protect your domains today
Domain security is the foundation of a trusted online presence in India’s fast-growing digital economy. As cyber threats become more sophisticated, it’s not enough to simply register a domain and forget about it. Proactive steps—choosing a secure registrar, enabling strong authentication, protecting your WHOIS data, securing your DNS and SSL, and staying vigilant with monitoring—are all essential for safeguarding your digital identity and business reputation.
By following the best practices outlined in this guide, you not only protect your website but also build trust with your customers and partners. Don’t wait for a security incident to force your hand—invest in your domain security today and ensure your online journey remains safe and successful!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about domain security best practices
Q: What is the first step to improve domain security for my website?
Start by choosing a secure, ICANN-accredited domain registrar and enabling two-factor authentication for your domain management account.
Q: Can I get WHOIS privacy protection for my .IN domain in India?
While full WHOIS privacy may be limited for .IN domains, many registrars offer proxy services to mask your personal details.
Q: How does DNSSEC help protect my domain?
A DNSSEC digitally signs your DNS records, preventing attackers from redirecting your visitors to fake websites (DNS spoofing).
Q: What should I do if my domain is hijacked or compromised?
Immediately contact your registrar’s support, report the incident to CERT-In, and follow your incident response plan to recover control.
Q: How often should I update my domain account passwords?
Change your passwords every 3-6 months, and use a unique, strong password for each domain-related account.
Editor's Note: This article was first published on May 6, 2016 and updated on Jun 10, 2025 with content from this article. It contains content written by Joe Styler.
