While security threats and breaches are an issue that haunts web commodities, domains are no different. For instance, it can include unethical access and tweaking the registry and registrar platforms. So, to avoid and prevent such scenarios, ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) defined a measure ‘Domain Locking.’ .com domain is the first domain of which extensions the domain lock was first introduced. However, what exactly is this lock, and what purposes is it serving? Let’s have a look at them in this post.
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What is Domain Lock?
A security setting exercised to restrict unauthorized attempts to transfer your domain to another registrar is called Domain Locking. You might have heard that one needs the EPP code to transfer a domain. However, even if the transferor has the EPP code for the domain with a lock, there is still no way to transfer the domain.
Moreover, this lock helps save from unauthorized changes to Domain Name Records (DNS). ICANN exacts the domain providers to follow this measure. That is, the domain providers need to lock the domains for 60 days after registration and transfer. Also, when the contact information is being changed. When a domain is locked, it can’t be transferred to a different domain name provider. The process is the same for any domain name, be it the cheap .com domain or .net, . gov, . org domain name.
So other labels for this status include “Registrar lock” or “Client Transfer Prohibited” (or a similar term).
Precisely, the domain lock is:
- To prevent domain hijacking
- To prevent the deletion and lapse of the domain
- Allow prohibiting the unauthorized transfer of the domain name (from the provider)
- To inhibit the update related to domains like WHOIS modifications, name server re-delegations, etc.)
So, if the domain owner or registrar has to transfer the domain, the domain first needs to be unlocked.
Domain Transfer Lock Pertinence
Generic Top-Level Domains, aka gTLDs, including .com, .net, and others, can be locked. The probable reasons seem to be that the gTLDs are not bound to any geographic or country designation. So, to protect gTLDs, domain locking is the ideal option. Although all gTLDs are famous for their usage, .com standing for commercial, is one of the widely used domain names. Millions of .com domains have been registered until now and are trusted by the customers as perfect for the business.
Does domain lock affect the website?
Domain lock only locks the domain for it to avoid selling and transferring. It does not impact the website’s operation and performance. Any individual who wants to prevent reputational damage to the domain in case of website hijacking can opt for a domain lock.
Domain Transfer Lock period
As we mentioned, ICANN requires the registrars to lock the domain for 60 days. This applies to the newly bought domains and newly transferred domains. During this period, domain trading is more like a ban, and even if the owner person or registrar wants, they cannot change ownership. After 60 days, you can opt for transfers.
How to lock the domain?
The client or registrar can lock the domain. To lock a domain:
- You need to log in to the Google Domains.
- Choose the Domain Name and click to open the Menu.
- Go to the Registration Settings and navigate to Domain Lock.
- Switch the button of the Lock Domain to change the status to Locked.
Domain Unlocking
Unlocking the domain follows the same procedure except for the last step. That is, you need to toggle the button to ‘unlock’ to have it unlocked.
Remember, when it is about the unlocking, not all the time you can do it yourself. For instance, if you opt for cheap .com domain registration with a registrar or a web hosting company. However, you can unlock your domain now that you want to migrate to another registrar or company. Nevertheless, some registrars do not permit it. So, in that case, the user needs to contact the registrar and ask to unlock it.
In addition, it is always best to let the registrar handle such procedures if you are not tech-savvy or have knowledge about domains.
Wrapping Up!
Domain locking is the best ever feature to safeguard the domains against hijacking. Also, with a locked domain name, undoubtedly, you cannot make any changes to it and its Domain Name System configuration.
Navicosoft is the best place to buy a cheap .com domain and achieve your business’s desired credibility and reliability. The cheap .com domain registration comes with the perks of managing the domain name servers from the user’s dedicated domain panel. So, you can manage your domain according to your preferences.