Your domain name is more than just a web address—it’s a key asset that controls your website, email, and online presence. If someone else has access to your domain name, they essentially have control over everything connected to your website.
Why is it crucial to keep your domain in your own account? How do you manage it securely?
Why Keep Your Domain Name in Your Own Account
1. To Maintain Full Control and Ownership of Your Online Assets
- The most important step for securing your domain is to own the account where your domain is registered. This means the domain should be held in an account that you own and control—not in the account of a web developer or hosting company.
- By keeping your domain name in your own account, you ensure you always have control over your website and email. This helps avoid potential issues if you ever need to change service providers or if you lose contact with the person managing your domain.
2. To Prevent Unauthorised Access and Security Risks
- You rarely need to share access to your domain account. In most cases, you should handle the DNS settings and changes yourself. If you need help setting up external DNS, you might temporarily grant access, but be sure to remove it once the work is done.
- Your domain name is tied to your website’s hosting and email services. If someone gains access, they can alter DNS settings, redirect your site, or even take control of your email—leading to lost business and security risks.
Best Practices for Managing Your Domain Name
To keep your domain secure and maintain control, follow these best practices:
- Keep Domain Ownership in Your Name: Always register your domain under your own account and name.
- Limit Access: Only provide access if absolutely necessary, and revoke it as soon as the task is complete.
- Use Separate DNS Hosting: Host your DNS separately from your domain registrar for added security. We use Cloudflare for DNS hosting, which adds an extra layer of protection.
- Regularly Update Passwords: Change the password for your domain account regularly and use a strong, unique password to keep it secure.
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication: If available, enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your domain registrar account for an added layer of security.
What Can Happen If You Lose Control of Your Domain Name
When someone else has control over your domain name, they can:
- Redirect your website to another location;
- Take control of your business email accounts;
- Modify your DNS settings, causing your site to go offline;
- Potentially steal your domain, leading to costly disputes.
Losing control of your domain name can disrupt your business and damage your reputation. Keeping ownership of your account helps you avoid these risks.
Keep Your Domain and Website Secure
Taking control of your domain is a big step in protecting your online assets. With our WordPress support plan, you get more than basic support—we offer security hardening, DNS management, and ongoing expert guidance.
Got more questions about securing your domain? Email us at [email protected] to learn more.
