When a Domain Is Stolen or Hijacked
A stolen or hijacked domain can disrupt an entire business overnight — email, website, and brand identity often depend on a single registration. Recovery work begins with reconstructing exactly how control was lost: account compromise, social engineering of a registrar, an unauthorized transfer, or exploitation of an expired registration, since the recovery path (and the evidence needed to support it) differs for each.
Registrar Disputes and Transfer Reversal
Many registrars and registries have defined dispute processes for contested transfers, including the Transfer Dispute Resolution Policy for gTLD transfers between registrars. Where those processes fall short, or where a matter proceeds to litigation, expert analysis documents the unauthorized transfer in the same chain-of-custody format used in ownership disputes generally.
Preventative Domain Security
Through DNAccess.com, Hartzer also advises on preventative measures: registrar-level security policies, two-factor authentication and registry lock, DNS hardening, and portfolio-level governance for organizations managing large numbers of domains. This operational, hands-on security work directly informs expert analysis in litigation — the same indicators used to prevent a hijacking are the ones used to prove one occurred.
Deliverables
- Domain theft/hijacking reconstruction and evidence documentation
- Registrar dispute and transfer-reversal support
- Domain security audits and hardening recommendations
- Portfolio governance and DNSSEC implementation guidance
Related In-Depth Topics
Each of the areas below has its own dedicated page covering methodology, typical evidence, and deliverables in more detail.
Domain Compromised?
Time matters in recovery situations — reach out as soon as unauthorized activity is identified.