Domain hijacking is taking control over a domain name without authorized access. This type of cyber attack can occur through various means, such as DNS spoofing, abuse of business processes, or unauthorized access to DNS accounts. Unlike other types of cyber attacks, which may be focused on stealing data or disrupting services, the primary goal of domain hijacking is to take control of an organization’s online identity.
The consequences of domain hijacking can be severe for businesses, resulting in a loss of credibility and revenue. Attackers could use the stolen domains for phishing attacks or redirect traffic to malicious websites leading customers to scams and fraudulent activities. If undetected and unresolved quickly, these incidents can cause long-term reputational damage that may have disastrous implications for businesses’ brand image and customer trust.
Types of Domain Hijacking
DNS Hijacking
In this type of attack, the attackers manipulate the DNS records that point a domain name to its corresponding IP address. The victim traffic is then rerouted to a fake website under the control of hackers.
Registrar Hijacking
Attackers gain access to a registrar’s account credentials or use social engineering methods to transfer ownership rights away from legitimate owners.
Phishing Attacks
Attackers trick users into revealing their login credentials, such as usernames and passwords, through phishing emails or websites that mimic legitimate ones.
To mitigate these attacks, organizations must implement strong authentication mechanisms such as two-factor authentication (2FA) for sensitive accounts. Regular monitoring and auditing should also be carried out on domains to detect any unusual activities like unauthorized transfers or modifications in DNS configurations caused by DNS attacks or DNS spoofing techniques used by attackers.
How to Prevent Domain Hijacking
Protecting your domain from hijacking is crucial in ensuring business continuity and preventing unauthorized domain transfers. To reduce your risk, it is recommended to:
Enable two-factor authentication for domain registrar accounts: Enabling two-factor authentication for your domain registrar accounts is a simple but effective preventive measure.
Regularly monitoring your DNS records and SSL certificates can also help you detect any suspicious activity early on, allowing you to take action before it’s too late.
Enable the registrar lock feature on your domain name. Registrar locks prohibit any unauthorized transfer requests unless authorized by you or an authorized representative. Using a reputable and secure domain registrar is essential, as some registrars may have poor security measures in place that make them vulnerable to attacks.
Update your contact information to prevent social engineering attacks. Attackers may try to impersonate you or gain access by posing as someone with authority over the domain, such as the owner or administrator. You can minimize these risks by ensuring that all contact information associated with your domains is accurate and up-to-date.
Steps to Take if Your Domain is Hijacked
If you suspect your domain has been hijacked, it’s crucial to act fast.
- The first step is to contact your registrar immediately and report the issue. They can help investigate and take necessary actions to regain control of your domain.
- To further protect yourself, change all passwords associated with the affected account and enable two-factor authentication wherever possible. When contacting your registrar, provide evidence of ownership, such as invoices or receipts for the registration fees paid.
- It’s also essential to notify search engines, web hosts, and other relevant parties about the domain theft incident so they can take appropriate measures in case of any malicious activities associated with your domain.
How Bolster Can Help
Bolster’s Domain Monitoring solution and other defensive strategies will ensure that your company has the most comprehensive domain and typosquat monitoring. Bolster balances domain acquisition with monitoring to reduce the likelihood of cyberattacks and manage security costs.
Additionally, Bolster will remain proactive and monitor the security threat landscape to keep your domain safeguarded. With Bolster’s help, your brand’s reputation will remain protected.
Request a demo of our domain monitoring software today, or start with a complimentary and customized Domain Risk Report to see what domain risks we detect for your organization.
Also, check out our community tool CheckPhish
