{"id":1132,"date":"2014-04-09T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-05-12T21:31:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mediaoptions.com\/blog\/security-with-domain-names-and-domain-name-brokers\/"},"modified":"2024-11-19T08:01:23","modified_gmt":"2024-11-19T08:01:23","slug":"blog-security-with-domain-names-and-domain-name-brokers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mediaoptions.com\/blog\/security-with-domain-names-and-domain-name-brokers\/","title":{"rendered":"Don\u2019t Lose Your Kingdom: Protecting Domain Name Assets"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A few security suggestions all the experts missed<\/strong><\/p>\n

A broker on Wall Street has probably heard of more ways to protect assets than a New York City cop. And a domain name broker is a vital resource to talk with about locking down your online assets. As a domain name broker and in my years at the world\u2019s largest domain name registrar, I\u2019ve seen and heard a lot. I saw one of the biggest cities in the country accidentally delete the nameservers for all their domains, shutting down every website for the whole city.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve seen household brands and political organizations compromised due to basic security oversights. I\u2019ve encountered keyloggers on a Mac through a Skype download. I\u2019ve seen more social engineering attempts than a bouncer at an LA Nightclub. And once, my father\u2019s bank got quite a tongue-lashing from me when they told me their entire security hinged on a password of 1234! We are not security experts, but as domain brokers, people discuss their assets and protection plans with us. We appreciate all our clients\u2019 trust and confidence.<\/p>\n

Media Options specifically entered the domain name brokerage business with a goal of growing the domain name industry\u2019s reputation for transparency and accountability.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

That\u2019s why all our transactions are visible to buyer and seller in Escrow.com. If the domain buyer or seller wishes to remain anonymous, we provide full transparency with screenshots and additional communications. When we are leasing a domain, with or without lease to own options, domains are secured via Escrow.com\u2019s Domain Name Holding Service. In addition, we employ only a very select few brokers with many years\u2019 experience and strong reputation in the premium domain industry. Bottom line, domains are non-tangible assets.<\/p>\n

When choosing a broker or other partner or advisor: research reputation, transparency, and accountability.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Quality resources for this type of info would include www.DNJournal.com<\/a>, www.DomainSherpa.com<\/a>, www.DomainInvesting.com<\/a> and www.DNForum.com<\/a>. Yesterday we heard about the SSL Heartbeat bug, sure to be historic in online security. This January, a $50,000 one character Twitter handle was lost due to a GoDaddy account being breached via the hacker\u2019s acquisition of some of the owner\u2019s personal information skillfully combined with social engineering.<\/p>\n

Then, the hacker was able to use the domain name to access the email address that controlled the valuable Twitter handle. On the opposite end of the spectrum, domain name registrar Network Solutions was under fire the same week for implementing a security feature that auto enrolls clients<\/a> without their prior consent for a surprise $1,850.00 per year.<\/p>\n

Domain names are valuable assets that need to be protected. Beyond the value of a premium domain itself can be additional assets like email at the domain\u2026 Email that may access other assets like high value social media accounts, PayPal and bank accounts, gmail password resets and more. Be attentive and intentional about how and which domains link to your valuables.<\/p>\n

There are endless articles about the importance of complex passwords, password vaults, backups and more. Amen, amen! But, despite all that, we still saw the New York Times facepalming themselves over last year\u2019s hack, and Mark Monitor\u2019s savvy save for the Facebook.com domain name a few weeks ago. After events like these, it\u2019s only natural to reflect on security.<\/p>\n

Domain names are assets not only because of their value, but also because of the options they provide for custom email to manage online identity, security and credibility.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

That instant credibility that you get because your email stands out in a client inbox as coming from @GraduateSchool.com? Guess what, the bad guys value that credibility too! Premium domain name owners can also be targeted precisely because a consumer is more likely to open a spam email that comes from a premium domain. Now, today is going to be the first day we hit 90\u02da weather here in sunny Phoenix, Arizona. Do you know what that means? Time for constant radio, TV, news and billboard messages about drowning prevention. And the number one recommendation to secure your home and family?<\/p>\n

Multiple layers of security.<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you value your premium domain names, secure them with all the passwords and other good recommendations out there. And then, after that, here\u2019s a quick list of the top security features we think all the bloggers missed:<\/p>\n