Key takeaways:
- A stolen domain means lost traffic, broken email, damaged search engine optimization (SEO), and lost trust. For many businesses, it’s a full-blown crisis.
- Simple gaps like reused passwords or missing two-factor authentication make it easy for attackers to get in.
- Use registrar locks, enable Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC), monitor changes, and secure your email. These steps can stop hijackers before they get close.
Domain hijacking is a real and growing threat. In fact, researchers found that over 70,000 domains were hijacked using a method called “Sitting Ducks.” This attack doesn’t even require a password; it works by taking advantage of weak or misconfigured Domain Name System (DNS) settings.
That number is big. A stolen domain can cause a lot of damage. Many victims didn’t know their domains were taken over until traffic dropped or customers started reporting phishing emails.
In this guide, we’ll help you understand:
- What domain hijacking is
- How attackers get in
- What can go wrong
- How to lock down your domain before it’s too late
Ready? Let’s get started.
What is domain hijacking?
Domain hijacking is when someone takes control of your domain name without your consent. It usually happens through stolen login credentials, registrar loopholes, or social engineering. Once they’re in, they can change your DNS settings, lock you out, and even transfer the domain to another account. At that point, you’ve lost control of your online identity.
This kind of attack is different from other domain-related threats. In a typical DNS hijacking, attackers manipulate DNS records to redirect your traffic, but you still technically own the domain. With domain squatting, someone buys a name similar to yours, often hoping to resell it or confuse users. But they haven’t taken over anything you already own.
Domain hijacking is more serious. It cuts you off completely and puts your entire digital presence at risk.
Attackers go after domains because they’re high-value assets. A single domain name can carry brand reputation, customer trust, and years of SEO equity. That’s why domains linked to online stores, financial services, media, and even personal blogs are all targets.
And no one’s immune. If you own a domain, whether you’re an individual, a startup, or a global company, you’re at risk. In fact, smaller businesses are often more vulnerable because they overlook domain security or assume their registrar is handling everything.
How does domain hijacking happen?
Hijackers use several methods to take over domains. Some target systems, others target people. Here’s how it typically happens:
- Phishing for registrar logins. Attackers send fake emails that look like they’re from your domain registrar. These often include urgent messages like account suspension warnings, with a link to a fake login page. Once you enter your credentials, they have full access.
- Social engineering with registrars. Instead of hacking, some attackers simply pretend to be you. They contact your registrar, claim they’ve lost access, and try to convince support staff to hand over control.
- DNS record manipulation (DNS hijacking). Sometimes, attackers don’t need to own your domain. If they can access your DNS host, they can redirect your website traffic or email to malicious destinations, without changing domain ownership.
- Email account compromise. Your email, especially the admin contact tied to your domain, is a weak point. If attackers get into that inbox, they can reset registrar passwords and lock you out.
- Exploiting registrar vulnerabilities. Some hijackers take a more technical route, targeting weaknesses in registrar platforms or misconfigured security settings. If the registrar doesn’t enforce strict verification, this can lead to a silent takeover.
- Unauthorized domain transfer requests. Attackers may submit a domain transfer request and hope it goes through unnoticed. If your domain doesn’t have a transfer lock or up-to-date contact info, this tactic can work.
- Insider threats. Someone within your company, or a contractor, might have access to your domain settings. That access can be abused, either on purpose or by accident.
Once a hijacker has access, he/she can:
- Get in. Via phishing, social engineering, or a technical exploit.
- Take control. Change passwords, DNS, and registrar settings.
- Exploit the domain. Redirect traffic, steal data, or sell it.
What are the consequences if your domain is hijacked?
A hijacked domain takes your website offline and might disrupt everything connected to it.
Here’s what you risk losing:
- Website and email downtime. Your site becomes inaccessible, and your email may stop working entirely, cutting off communication with customers and partners.
- Brand damage and loss of trust. If attackers use your domain for phishing or malicious content, it can seriously harm your reputation. Regaining trust is often harder than regaining access.
- SEO risks. Search engines may flag, penalize, or deindex your site. Even a short disruption can lead to long-term ranking issues and traffic drops.
- Loss of control over DNS and subdomains. Subdomains used for email, APIs, and integrations can break, affecting multiple business systems at once.
- Financial and legal impact. Ecommerce businesses risk losing sales. If customer data is exposed or service contracts are breached, legal liability may follow.
How to prevent domain hijacking
Protecting your domain starts with strengthening account security, using registrar tools wisely, and applying technical safeguards. Here’s how to stay ahead:
Basic security best practices
Start with the basics. These apply to everyone, no matter your size:
- Use strong, unique passwords. Don’t reuse passwords. Use a password manager and make sure your registrar login is different from everything else.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA). Always turn on 2FA for your registrar account. This blocks most login-based attacks, even if someone has your password.
- Use private WHOIS, if available. Private WHOIS hides your contact info from the public. That makes it harder for attackers to target your admin email or impersonate you.
- Avoid clicking links in registrar emails. If you get an email about your domain, don’t click it. Instead, go directly to your registrar’s website to log in and check your account.
Registrar-level tools
These tools are often built into your domain registrar’s platform. Make sure you’re using them:
- Enable registrar lock (EPP lock). This prevents unauthorized domain transfers. It’s simple and effective, just turn it on in your settings.
- Set up auto-renew. Some hijackers actively monitor expiring domains so they can exploit them for phishing and impersonation. Use auto-renew and keep your billing info current.
- Monitor WHOIS changes. Keep an eye out for any changes to your contact or ownership details. Even a small edit could signal an attack in progress.
- Choose a trusted registrar. Use a registrar with a strong reputation, clear support options, and 24/7 security monitoring.
Technical measures
These settings go deeper, protecting the infrastructure that keeps your domain running securely:
- Enable DNSSEC. DNSSEC adds cryptographic verification to your DNS records. It helps prevent DNS hijacking and tampering. To enable it, both your domain registrar and DNS provider must support DNSSEC. Most modern providers do, just check your domain settings or contact support to turn it on.
- Secure your DNS provider. Use a reliable DNS host like Cloudflare, Google Cloud DNS, or AWS Route 53. Make sure your DNS login has 2FA enabled and a strong password.
- Use domain monitoring services. These tools alert you if someone tries to transfer your domain or change records. Some registrars include this; others offer it as an add-on.
Pro tip: Consider creating a domain security checklist for your team. Include reminders for quarterly reviews of registrar settings, WHOIS records, and DNS configurations.
What to do if your domain is hijacked
If your domain is hijacked, act fast. The sooner you move, the better your chances of getting it back and minimizing damage. Here’s what to do:
- Contact your domain registrar right away. Submit a support ticket and call if they have a hotline. Clearly state that your domain has been hijacked and ask them to freeze all changes immediately.
- Gather any proof that shows you own the domain. This could be invoices, WHOIS history, email confirmations, or dashboard screenshots. The more you can show, the easier it will be to reclaim control.
- Alert your DNS provider and email host. Let them know what happened. They may be able to stop further damage, restore backups, or help with technical recovery.
- Escalate to Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) or your domain authority. If your domain registrar won’t cooperate or the hijacker moved the domain to another provider, file a complaint with ICANN or your country’s domain registry. You may also need to file a UDRP case to dispute ownership.
- Inform your users and customers quickly. Post an update on your social channels or a backup website. Let people know what’s going on and warn them not to trust emails or links from the compromised domain.
- Start damage control immediately. Change all passwords tied to your domain accounts. Check for other signs of intrusion, especially if the attacker accessed emails or DNS. If any data was exposed, notify affected users and follow privacy laws.
Real world domain hijacking examples
Real-world cases highlight just how disruptive domain hijacking can be, and how quickly it happens.
1. Sex.com: The $65 million domain theft
In the mid-1990s, con artist Stephen Cohen fraudulently transferred ownership of the domain sex.com from its rightful owner, Gary Kremen, by sending a forged letter to the registrar. Cohen profited from the domain for years before Kremen won a $65 million judgment in court. This case set a legal precedent: domain names are considered property that can be stolen.
2. Perl.com hijacked in 2021
In January 2021, the domain Perl.com was hijacked and redirected to a parked page. The attackers exploited vulnerabilities in the domain’s registration process. The incident disrupted the Perl programming community and highlighted the importance of securing domain accounts with strong authentication measures.
3. Google Vietnam and Lenovo hijacked in 2015
In February 2015, attackers hijacked Google’s Vietnam domain and Lenovo’s website by compromising their DNS records. Visitors were redirected to a defaced page. The incident was attributed to the hacker group Lizard Squad and underscored the risks of DNS vulnerabilities.
Protect your domain before someone else takes it
Domain hijacking can be silent, sudden, and devastating, but it’s preventable. Strengthening your registrar settings, enabling DNS protections, and monitoring for changes puts you ahead of most threats.
Check out Network Solutions’ private domain registration to hide your contact info and reduce phishing attempts. And add SiteLock website security to scan for threats and keep your site safe.
Don’t wait for a warning sign. Get protected now and take back control of your domain before someone else does.
Frequently asked questions
A domain owner should enable two-factor authentication on their registrar account, use private WHOIS to protect domain registration details, and monitor domain contact details regularly. These steps help reduce exposure to social engineering attacks and unauthorized transfers.
Preventing domain hijacking attacks at the domain registration level involves using reputable registrars, activating registrar locks, and enabling DNSSEC. These actions add layers of verification that make it harder for hijackers to gain unauthorized access to your domain name registrar’s system.
Yes, domain name hijacking can sometimes be reversed, but the process can be lengthy. Victims must provide proof of ownership and may need to pursue legal action through ICANN or the relevant domain registry to reclaim the original domain.
Unusual changes in DNS settings, unexpected registrar emails, or login alerts may signal domain hijacking attempts. Domain registrants should monitor WHOIS updates and DNS records frequently to spot changes early and act fast.
DNS poisoning is a method that attackers use to redirect users to fake websites without taking full control of a domain. While not always involving domain hijacking, it can be used in tandem to damage the reputation of a legitimate website.
WHOIS protection hides your personal and contact information from public view. Without it, hijackers can easily find and target your admin email. Using WHOIS protection is a simple yet effective way to prevent stolen domain names and reduce phishing attacks.
Legally, a stolen domain is treated similarly to stolen property. Courts may recognize the legitimate owner’s rights and restore access, especially in clear cases involving domain theft or unauthorized domain transfer.
