| bsession to buy and sell domain names has gripped | | | | If you are aware of the protective measures on |
| so many online merchants and savvy web users. | | | | your domains, you can sleep soundly at night. A |
| Why not? Most transactions nowadays occur online. | | | | well-preserved domain name with existing clients will |
| Some people may prefer buying at the brick and | | | | be extremely profitable the moment you decide to |
| mortar stores but wouldn't it be more convenient to | | | | sell them. For instance, during the dotcom bubble was |
| simply sit in front of the computer, visit the Walmart | | | | sold at $7.5 million! Much more expensive domain sale |
| website, and click "Buy" on the products in your | | | | transactions have occurred of course, but they were |
| shopping list? The more popular a domain is, the | | | | not recorded. The bottom line? If you take care of |
| more likely it generates customers worldwide. Here's | | | | your domains from hacking and outside administrative |
| a bit of trivia you can use: Almost all words from 0 | | | | control, your domain retains its selling value and even |
| to 9 and a to z that ends with a .com extension | | | | increases in time. |
| have already been registered! | | | | So how do you protect your domains after it has |
| What is the significance of this? Unfortunately, if you | | | | been registered? As I have mentioned in the |
| can no longer register domains with the .com | | | | beginning, you reserve the right to have the total |
| extension, you got your choices. Basically, if it ends in | | | | control on the domain. You should monitor your |
| .net, .org, or .biz, the better. Most two letter domain | | | | "Whois" tool to make sure it lists your name as |
| extensions are also popular. Your best choice is to | | | | registrant, along with the history of the domain's |
| either sell your old domain for a new one, or buy | | | | owners. Take this step a little further and keep a |
| another domain name through a broker. Brokers are | | | | Whois hard copy, so you have proof in case |
| helpful in buying and selling domain names because | | | | someone challenges your domain ownership. |
| they can give value and help you through the domain | | | | Now, let's go into the more technical details. A cryptic |
| registration process, as this can get tricky. | | | | password is probably your best tool to shield domains |
| Domain registration should be simple as simple as it is, | | | | from hacking. It would have to be an unrecognizable |
| if not for hacks and possible frauds. There are | | | | jumble of words and numbers so it won't be easy to |
| hordes of unscrupulous domain registration services | | | | decode. You should also keep an active and accurate |
| out there that are suspiciously aiming to take your | | | | email account, where updates and renewals on your |
| money without giving you the best service they | | | | domains will be sent to you. If you use an email |
| have promised. For example, you can get your | | | | account that simply wipes off your name after a |
| domains registered but they won't ask for your | | | | month that you have not opened your inbox, you're |
| name. In reality, they would ask for a fee but | | | | in trouble. Either the domain registrant has done |
| register domains under their names. This results in | | | | something to the domains, or some hacker is already |
| your loss of control on the domains. Remember that | | | | owning your previous email account. |
| as domain owner, having full administrative control on | | | | Some things are beyond the domain owner's control. |
| your registered domain is your right and privilege. | | | | For this reason, you should be proactive enough to |
| These scammers exist, no matter what. That is why | | | | consider things such as domain monitoring service -- |
| it's fairly important to keep domains protected as | | | | reporting suspicious hacking activity and seeking |
| soon as it is registered. But first, it is essential also to | | | | further protection given by your domain registrant. If |
| know who are the people behind the domain | | | | you could find a free service that monitors domain |
| registration service. You should also take note of the | | | | names, it would be excellent, but far more excellent |
| information that they require you to give, such as | | | | if you check your email for notifications and renewal |
| your postal address. You might think that they are | | | | updates. In case you suspect something malicious has |
| pushing the rules of domain registration a bit too far, | | | | been going on, for instance, your domain ownership |
| but providing the right information can serve you | | | | record has been changed, you should report it as |
| well, especially when your domain ownership is legally | | | | soon as possible to the domain registrant. |
| challenged. | | | | |