- Jun 29
- 4 min read
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Domain hijacking happens when someone takes control of your domain without your permission. Once attackers gain access, they can redirect visitors, take your website offline, intercept emails or even demand money to return your domain name.
Understanding how domain hijacking works is one of the best ways to reduce the risk. In this guide, you'll learn how these attacks happen, the warning signs to watch for and the steps you can take to keep your domain secure.
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TL;DR: what is domain hijacking?
Domain hijacking means someone gains control of your domain without permission, usually through stolen registrar credentials or a phishing scam, and the hit to your traffic, email and brand trust can be immediate. The reassuring part is that strong registrar security and a few good habits make it largely avoidable.
You'll learn:
How a domain hijacking attack actually works
A real-world example of a hijacked domain
Whether domain hijacking is illegal and what recourse you have
How to protect your domain and choose a secure registrar
What is domain hijacking?
Domain hijacking is a cyberattack in which someone takes control of a registered domain without the owner's permission. Instead of hacking the website itself, attackers target the domain account or its settings. Once they gain control, they can redirect visitors to another website, take the site offline, intercept business emails or even transfer ownership of the domain to another account.
Because your domain controls where your website and email point, losing access can disrupt your business almost immediately. Unlike domain spoofing, which imitates a legitimate domain, domain hijacking gives an attacker control over the real one.
How does a domain hijacking attack work?
Most domain hijacking attacks begin by targeting the domain owner's registrar account. Attackers often steal login credentials through phishing emails that impersonate a domain registrar or another trusted service. If the account uses a weak or reused password, attackers may also gain access through password guessing or data breaches.
Once inside the account, attackers can make changes that lock out the rightful owner. Common actions include changing Domain Name System (DNS) records to send visitors to a fake website, updating the account email address to prevent recovery, unlocking the domain and transferring it to another registrar or modifying ownership details. In many cases, these changes happen within minutes and can take days or even weeks to reverse if proper security measures weren't already in place.
Domain hijacking example
Let's say a cyber attacker successfully phishes the login credentials of a domain owner. Once inside the control panel, they can change the DNS settings, redirecting visitors to a fraudulent website designed to steal sensitive information such as credit card information.
How to prevent domain hijacking
Preventing domain hijacking comes down to locking down access to your domain account and reducing weak entry points that attackers can exploit. Start by using a strong, unique password for your domain registrar account and avoid reusing it anywhere else. Turn on two-factor authentication so a password alone is not enough to gain access.
Make sure your domain is locked through your registrar. Domain lock prevents unauthorized transfers by blocking changes unless you manually approve them. Keep your account email secure as well, since password resets usually depend on it.
Regularly review your domain settings, including DNS records and contact details, to catch any unexpected changes early. Set up alerts if your registrar offers them, so you're notified of login attempts or account updates.
It also helps to choose a registrar with strong built-in security features like account monitoring, transfer protection and access controls. These extra layers make it harder for attackers to take control even if they manage to get hold of your login details.
Is domain hijacking illegal?
Domain hijacking is considered illegal in many jurisdictions, as it involves unauthorized access and control over a domain name. This act can lead to severe legal consequences for the perpetrators, including fines and imprisonment. The illegality stems from the violation of property rights and the potential for significant harm to businesses.
Monetary penalties can be imposed on individuals found guilty of domain hijacking. Depending on the severity and jurisdiction, attackers may face jail time for their actions.
In the US, there is no direct legislation for domain hijacking. However businesses may take action for losses occurred as a result of it.
Why domain security starts with your registrar
A hijacked domain can take your website offline, redirect visitors to fraudulent pages, disrupt business operations and expose sensitive information. While strong passwords and security practices help, your domain registrar is also a critical part of your protection. Choosing a registrar with strong security features makes it much harder for attackers to gain control of your domain.
A domain registrar manages your domain registration and controls who can make changes to important settings such as DNS records, nameservers and domain ownership. Look for a registrar that offers features like two-factor authentication, domain locking, DNS security, account activity alerts and responsive customer support. These tools help protect your domain from unauthorized changes and make it easier to recover your account if something goes wrong.
Domain registration with Wix
Wix offers more than 400 domain extensions, giving you more flexibility to find a web address that fits your business, brand or target audience. As an ICANN-accredited domain registrar, Wix lets you search, register and manage domains ranging from classic options like .com and .net to newer industry-focused extensions, all in one place.
Beyond registration, Wix includes built-in tools for DNS management, domain security and private registration, along with a free SSL certificate to help protect your site and visitors. You can also create a custom business email, get a free one-year domain voucher with eligible annual plans and access 24/7 support whenever you need help managing your domain.
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