Hello,

I have a valuable domain with Network Solutions. This is the only domain I have with them. I have renewed it for the next 10 years.

Once every couple of months or so, I check the whois of this domain using iwhois.com (that gives both registrar and registry information).

What specific measures can I take to prevent any hijacking of this domain? Or to prove my ownership in the unlikely event that it gets hijacked. Should I take some screen shots (which ones)? Preserve credit card records of the renewal? Printouts of NetSol e-mails acknowledging renewal?

The domain itself is used for an active website and a mailserver so I would know immediately if it was hijacked and pointed away but I want to do all I can to minimize that possibility.

Perhaps the more knowledgeable and experienced ones amongst you can help compile a set of "Guidelines/instructions for the prudent domain-name owner."

G. Amik

All good ideas. On top of this, ensure that the domain has privacy protection enabled so it hides your details, keep tight management over the email address your domain is listed against and there is nothing wrong with changing your NS username and password routinely. This will prevent any malicious access to the domain management.

I think the fact that you're aware of domain hi-jacking and thinking about it will put you in good stead.

We host thousands of domains and I personally have never had a single case of a domain being hi-jacked. That said, we do encourage users to use the privacy protection feature and follow the suggestions above.

Don't get obsessed of the domain and talk to a lawyer. I would suggest you to register a trade mark as well.

maintain control of the contact emails for the domain, and the email for the account (if it is different).

...On top of this, ensure that the domain has privacy protection enabled so it hides your details ...Would this necessarily be a good thing if one wanted to prove ownership & use?

I'd have thought that one would want to have one's ownership on the public record.

- Richard

Gamikm, ask Network Solutions to setup Whois guard protection option of your domain and none will see your information. I know that almost all registrar companies offer their customers this option.

Use the biggest password possible, generatd by some application like KeyPass and change it every month. And keep your PC protected against hijacks, spywares, etc.