Domain Hijacking: Imagine waking up to find your website gone. Your business emails bounce back. Customers see a completely different site when they type your URL.
Your brand reputation crashes overnight. This nightmare scenario happens to thousands of website owners every year through domain hijacking.
But here’s the good news: how to get a free domain name with Bluehost and protect it from hackers starts with knowing exactly what you’re up against and taking smart precautions from day one.
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What Is Domain Hijacking?
Domain hijacking means someone steals control of your domain name without your permission. Hackers break into your domain registrar account and change the ownership details. Once they control your domain, they can redirect your website anywhere they want, steal your emails, or sell your domain to someone else.
Think of your domain name like the deed to your house. Domain hijacking is like someone forging your signature and transferring the deed into their name. You still own the actual house, but legally they control it now. The original owner loses everything connected to that domain until they can prove ownership and get it back.
How Domain Hijacking Actually Works
Cybercriminals use several sneaky methods to steal domains. The most common way involves tricking you into giving up your login details through fake emails. These phishing messages look exactly like real emails from your domain registrar, complete with official logos and urgent warnings.
Hackers also target weak passwords and accounts without two-factor authentication. Some attackers call your registrar pretending to be you, using personal information they found online. Others exploit security holes in outdated registrar systems.
Once inside your account, they quickly change contact information, transfer the domain, and disappear. For more details on various attack methods, check out our guide on 10 ways to protect your domain name from hackers.
The Real Cost of Losing Your Domain
Financial losses from domain hijacking can reach millions of dollars for companies relying on their websites for business operations. Online stores lose every single sale while their domain stays hijacked. Service companies cannot reach customers or process payments. Even small blogs lose advertising revenue and affiliate commissions during downtime.
Brand reputation suffers massive damage when customers see your domain showing scam content or malware warnings. People remember negative experiences longer than positive ones. Many customers never return even after you recover your domain. Trust takes years to build but only minutes to destroy when hackers control your web address.
Recent Domain Hijacking Attacks You Should Know About
Bad actors used eight thousand domains and thirteen thousand subdomains of trusted companies to run fraudulent advertising campaigns in an attack known as SubdoMailing. These criminals generated fake advertising money by exploiting legitimate brand names. Major companies like eBay, Marvel, and The Economist saw their domains misused without their knowledge.
Researchers found over seventy thousand domains hijacked using the Sitting Ducks attack method. This technique exploits poor DNS configuration without needing passwords. Hackers simply take over domains with weak settings and run fraudulent campaigns. These attacks show that even big brands face serious domain security threats in today’s digital world.
How Domain Hijacking Differs From Other Attacks
Domain hijacking steals ownership of your entire domain at the registration level. DNS hijacking changes where your domain points without actually stealing ownership. With DNS hijacking, hackers redirect your traffic by tampering with DNS records while you still technically own the domain.
Domain squatting involves someone registering a similar domain name to profit from your brand. They never steal your actual domain but try to confuse customers with look-alike addresses.
These three threats require different protection strategies, so knowing the difference helps you defend properly against each type of attack. Learn more about related concepts in our article on what is a subdomain.
7 Ways Hackers Steal Your Domain
1. Phishing Attacks That Fool Even Smart People
Phishing emails look completely real these days. Hackers copy your registrar’s exact design, colors, and logos. The email warns that your domain expires soon or someone tried accessing your account. The fake message includes a link to a website that looks identical to your registrar’s login page.
You enter your username and password thinking you’re protecting your account. Instead, you just handed hackers the keys to your domain. These attacks work because the fake sites match the real ones perfectly. Always type your registrar’s URL directly into your browser instead of clicking email links.
2. Social Engineering Tricks That Bypass Security
Smart hackers research their targets before attacking. They find your name, address, phone number, and other details from public records. Then they call your domain registrar pretending to be you. They sound professional and know enough personal information to seem legitimate.
The hacker convinces customer support to reset your password or transfer your domain. Support staff believe they’re helping the real owner when they’re actually assisting a criminal. Companies train employees to verify identities, but determined attackers still slip through sometimes. To learn how privacy features help prevent this, read how domain name privacy works.
3. Exploiting Weak Passwords and Reused Credentials
Many people use the same password across multiple websites. Hackers know this and exploit it ruthlessly. When data breaches expose passwords from one website, criminals immediately try those passwords on domain registrar accounts. If you reused your password, they gain instant access.
Weak passwords like birthdays, pet names, or common words are even easier to crack. Hackers use automated programs that try millions of password combinations per second. A strong password with random letters, numbers, and symbols takes years to crack. A weak password falls within minutes.
4. Stealing Control Through Email Account Compromise
Your domain registrar sends password reset links to the email address on file. If hackers steal your email password first, they can easily reset your domain registrar password next. Email accounts often have weaker security than domain accounts because people don’t realize how critical they are.
Attackers who control your email can approve domain transfers, change contact information, and receive all security notifications. They know exactly what you’re doing to recover your domain because they read every email. Securing your email account is just as important as securing your domain registrar account.
5. Taking Advantage of Expired Domains
Failing to renew domain registration on time leaves domains vulnerable to hijackers who monitor and grab expired domains. Business owners get busy and forget renewal dates. Sometimes credit cards expire or email addresses change, causing automatic renewals to fail. Hackers watch these domains constantly.
The moment a valuable domain expires, multiple criminals try grabbing it. They use automated systems that attempt registration the instant domains become available. Missing your renewal deadline by even one day can mean losing your domain forever.
6. Exploiting Registrar Security Vulnerabilities
Some domain registrars run outdated software with known security holes. Hackers scan for these vulnerabilities and exploit them to access customer accounts. Smaller registrars might lack resources for regular security updates and monitoring. Budget providers sometimes cut corners on security to keep prices low.
Using outdated WordPress installations or other software poses high risks as they may be vulnerable to weak password abuse or SQL injection attacks. Attackers exploit these flaws to gain backend access to domain management systems. Choosing a reputable registrar with strong security practices matters more than saving a few dollars.
7. Using Keyloggers and Malware
Criminals install malicious software on computers to record everything you type. These keyloggers capture your passwords, usernames, and other sensitive information. The malware sends this data back to hackers who then use it to access your domain account.
You might download keyloggers accidentally by clicking suspicious email attachments or visiting infected websites. Some malware spreads through fake software updates or pirated programs. Running antivirus software and keeping systems updated helps protect against these threats.
How to Get a Free Domain Name with Bluehost Safely
Smart website owners protect their domains from day one. When you learn how to get a free domain name with Bluehost, you also gain access to excellent security features. Bluehost offers free domain registration for one year when you purchase hosting plans for twelve or thirty-six months.
During signup, Bluehost provides options for domain privacy protection and security features. The domain privacy service costs about fifteen dollars yearly but shields your personal information from public view. This makes social engineering attacks much harder.
Bluehost also offers domain locking features that prevent unauthorized transfers. Start with proper security from the beginning rather than fixing problems later. For more information, visit Bluehost and get a free domain for the first year when you sign up for their hosting packages.
10 Essential Steps to Prevent Domain Hijacking
1) Use Two-Factor Authentication Everywhere
Two-factor authentication requires both your password and a code from your phone to log in. Even if hackers steal your password, they cannot access your account without the second verification code. Enable two-factor authentication on your domain registrar, email account, and hosting account.
Most registrars offer multiple two-factor options including text messages, authenticator apps, or hardware keys. Authenticator apps like Google Authenticator or Authy provide the strongest protection. These apps generate new codes every thirty seconds that only you can access.
2) Create Bulletproof Passwords
Strong passwords contain at least fifteen characters mixing uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and special symbols. Never use dictionary words, personal information, or patterns. Each account needs a completely unique password that you never reuse anywhere else.
Password managers like LastPass or 1Password generate and store complex passwords securely. You only remember one master password while the manager handles everything else. This makes using unique passwords for every account much easier and safer.
3) Enable Domain Registry Lock Immediately
Domain locking prevents unauthorized changes to your domain registration and DNS settings. With registry lock enabled, transferring your domain or modifying critical settings requires manual verification through direct communication with your registrar. Even if attackers breach your account, they cannot transfer your domain without your explicit approval.
Most registrars offer this feature for free or a small annual fee. The extra verification step buys precious time to detect unauthorized access attempts. Contact your registrar immediately to enable registry lock if you haven’t already done so.
4) Keep Your Contact Information Current
Registrars send important security alerts and renewal reminders to your contact email. If hackers change your email address, you miss these critical notifications. Check your domain contact information monthly to verify everything stays correct and up to date.
Create a dedicated email address specifically for domain management. Use a different email than your main business address. This separation helps you spot suspicious activity and prevents one compromised email from affecting everything else.
5) Set Up Automatic Domain Renewal
Domain hijackers often target domains about to expire or with lapsed registrations. Enable automatic renewal so your domain never accidentally expires. Most registrars charge your credit card automatically before the expiration date. This simple step prevents the most common way people lose domains.
Register domains for multiple years upfront when possible. Multi-year registration provides extra protection during fewer renewal periods when vulnerabilities might occur. Some registrars offer discounts for longer registration terms too.
6) Use WHOIS Privacy Protection
Your domain WHOIS record shows your name, address, email, and phone number publicly. Enabling WHOIS protection reduces the amount of open-source intelligence available to malicious actors, limiting their ability to use it for social engineering. Privacy protection replaces your information with generic forwarding details.
Legitimate people can still contact you through forwarded emails while scammers cannot harvest your personal details. This service typically costs ten to fifteen dollars yearly but provides significant protection against targeted attacks. For more context, read about what are parked domains.
7) Choose a Reputable Domain Registrar
Not all registrars provide equal security. Research registrars carefully before moving your domain. Look for companies offering two-factor authentication, registry locks, WHOIS privacy, and responsive customer support. Read reviews from other customers about their security experiences.
Top security registrars like MarkMonitor custody some of the highest value domains in the world, including google.com and amazon.com. Bluehost provides excellent security features alongside their hosting services. Amazon’s Route 53 offers the same security protection as their entire AWS suite. Cloudflare Registrar benefits from advanced security built into their main platform.
8) Monitor Your Domain Activity Regularly
Check your domain settings weekly for unauthorized changes. Review WHOIS information, DNS records, and registrar account activity logs. Set up email alerts through your registrar to receive instant notifications when anyone modifies your domain settings.
Catching suspicious activity early prevents full hijacking attempts from succeeding. If you notice changes you didn’t make, contact your registrar immediately. Quick action often means the difference between stopping an attack and losing your domain completely.
9) Limit Administrative Access Carefully
Minimize the number of individuals who have access to your domain registrar account and assign appropriate permissions based on their role. Every person with access creates another potential security weakness. Only give domain access to people who absolutely need it for their jobs.
Remove access immediately when employees leave your company. Regularly audit who has permissions and what they can do. Consider requiring approval from multiple administrators before allowing major changes like domain transfers.
10) Keep All Software Updated
Outdated software contains known security vulnerabilities that hackers exploit. Update your computer operating system, web browsers, antivirus programs, and all applications regularly. Enable automatic updates whenever possible so you don’t forget important security patches.
Hackers specifically target people running old software versions because the vulnerabilities are well-documented. Staying current with updates closes these security holes before criminals can exploit them. Updates take minutes but prevent months of recovery headaches.
What to Do If Your Domain Gets Hijacked
Contact your domain registrar immediately through their security or fraud department. Provide proof of ownership like old registration emails, payment receipts, or business documents. Most registrars can reverse unauthorized changes quickly if the domain hasn’t transferred yet.
Recovering hijacked domains becomes challenging and mainly depends on the registrar’s ability to revert the process. If hackers already transferred your domain to another registrar, recovery gets much harder. Your original registrar can invoke ICANN’s Registrar Transfer Dispute Resolution Policy to reclaim the domain. This process takes longer but often succeeds with proper documentation.
Legal Options for Recovering Stolen Domains
U.S. federal courts have begun accepting causes of action seeking the return of stolen domain names. You can file lawsuits in the location of the relevant domain registry. Provide evidence proving you owned the domain and someone stole it through unauthorized access or fraud.
Some victims pursue recovery through ICANN’s Uniform Domain Dispute Resolution Policy. However, several panels ruled this policy works better for trademark disputes than outright theft cases. Consult with lawyers specializing in domain law for the best recovery strategy. The firm ESQwire handles many domain hijacking cases nationwide.
How Domain Hijacking Affects Email Services
Hackers who control your domain can intercept all emails sent to your domain addresses. Attackers update MX records to intercept emails sent to the domain. They receive password reset emails for all your online accounts. This gives them access to banking, social media, and business accounts tied to your domain email.
Even worse, criminals can send emails appearing to come from your address. They impersonate you to scam customers, partners, or employees. These phishing emails damage your reputation and trick people into sending money or sharing sensitive information. Recovering from email-based damage takes months even after reclaiming your domain.
The Connection Between Domain Hijacking and Data Breaches
Domain hijacking can create compliance violations through unauthorized administrative access to stored information and unauthorized data collection by creating pages that collect personally identifiable information. Regulations like GDPR and California Privacy Rights Act hold companies responsible for protecting customer data. Domain hijacking that exposes customer information can trigger massive fines and lawsuits.
Hackers often use hijacked domains to create fake login pages collecting usernames, passwords, and credit card numbers. Victims think they’re using your legitimate website when they’re actually giving criminals their data. You face legal consequences even though hackers caused the breach.
Understanding Domain Transfer Locks
ICANN imposes a sixty-day waiting period between changes in registration information and transfers to another registrar. This delay makes domain hijacking more difficult because transferred domains are much harder to reclaim. The waiting period gives original owners time to discover unauthorized changes and alert their registrar.
Transfer locks add another protection layer on top of this sixty-day rule. Locked domains cannot transfer even with valid authorization codes. You must manually unlock the domain through your registrar before any transfer proceeds. This requirement stops automated hijacking attempts completely.
How to Check If Your Domain Is Secure
Use public WHOIS lookup tools to verify your privacy protection works correctly. The results should show generic proxy information instead of your personal details. Test that your registrar email forwarding functions by sending a message to the proxy address listed in WHOIS.
Log into your registrar account and check security settings. Confirm two-factor authentication is enabled, registry lock is active, and auto-renewal is turned on. Review the list of people with account access. Verify your contact email address is current and monitored regularly. For guidance on securely moving domains, see our article on 15 best ways to transfer a domain name without losing SEO.
Why Domain Age and History Matter
A 2015 hijacking briefly affected Lenovo’s website and Google’s main search page for Vietnam. Even major corporations with huge security budgets face domain hijacking risks. Older domains with established reputations become more valuable targets. Criminals know businesses will pay significant ransoms to recover valuable domains quickly.
Historical domain abuse also matters when buying existing domains. Research any domain’s past before purchasing. Domains previously used for spam or malware might be blacklisted or flagged as suspicious. Check the domain’s history through Internet Archive to see previous content and ownership changes. Learn more in our piece about the history of domain names.
Protecting Multiple Domains Efficiently
Many businesses own several domain names for different brands, products, or geographic markets. Managing security across multiple domains requires organization and consistency. Use the same strong security practices for every domain regardless of how important it seems.
Create a spreadsheet tracking all your domains, their registrars, expiration dates, and security settings. Schedule regular audits to verify everything stays protected. Consider consolidating all domains with one reputable registrar for easier management. Some registrars offer bulk management tools and discounts for multiple domains. To understand hosting multiple domains, check out how many domains can you host on Bluehost.
The Role of SSL Certificates in Domain Security
SSL certificates encrypt data between visitors and your website. While SSL doesn’t prevent domain hijacking directly, it helps detect attacks faster. Browsers show security warnings when SSL certificates don’t match the domain or have expired. These warnings alert visitors that something seems wrong with your website.
Some attackers try installing their own SSL certificates after hijacking domains. Certificate Authority Authorization records in your DNS specify which companies can issue certificates for your domain. Setting these records prevents hackers from getting certificates from unauthorized sources even if they control your domain temporarily.
Teaching Your Team About Domain Security
Training and awareness programs for staff and administrators about the dangers of phishing and recognizing suspicious emails are crucial. Employees need to spot social engineering attempts and verify requests through separate communication channels. Regular training keeps security awareness fresh in everyone’s minds.
Create clear protocols for domain-related requests. Require confirmation through phone calls or in-person verification before making major changes. Never approve domain transfers, DNS changes, or password resets based solely on email requests. These simple policies stop many hijacking attempts before they succeed.
Long-Term Domain Protection Strategy
Domain security requires ongoing attention, not one-time setup. Consider periodic security audits of your domain management processes and systems. Review security settings quarterly and update practices as new threats emerge. Subscribe to security newsletters and alerts from your registrar to learn about new attack methods.
Budget for quality security services rather than choosing the cheapest options. Domain privacy protection, registry locks, and premium registrar accounts cost modest amounts but provide enormous value. Think of these expenses as insurance protecting your most valuable digital asset.
Final Thoughts: Staying Safe in 2025 and Beyond
Domain hijacking remains a serious threat that grows more sophisticated every year. Criminals constantly develop new attack methods to bypass security measures. However, following the protection strategies outlined above dramatically reduces your vulnerability. Most hijacking attempts target easy victims with weak security.
When you learn how to get a free domain name with Bluehost, remember to enable all available security features immediately. Start your online presence with proper protection from Bluehost rather than fixing problems later. Your domain represents years of hard work building your brand and business. Taking domain security seriously today prevents devastating losses tomorrow.
For comprehensive domain security, also explore our guide on what is domain protection to understand all available protection options for your valuable web properties.
