Why Should You Monitor Your Domain Names

After choosing a domain name, the next big thing is to protect it. In an era where phishing, cybersquatting, typosquatting, and spear-phishing have become the order of the day, you need to monitor your domain. 

Like hungry wolves, cyber attackers are always looking for the slightest loophole in your domain. Any security breach could mean a drop in customer trust or legal action. Before things get to that level, how can you track your domain name, and what are the benefits? 

What Is Domain Monitoring? 

Domain monitoring refers to actively tracking registered domain names using tools such as domain monitoring services by Bishopi. This is to ensure security, detect potential threats, and protect the associated brand reputation. 

It is also referred to as domain tracking. You can identify when people maliciously register a slight variation of your domain name. For instance, cyberattackers can register google.io and create an email with the domain to dupe Google users. Domain monitoring lets you track your competitor’s domain name to know when they adjust their domains. 

As such, you should monitor your domain against the following: 

• Typosquatting: This attack involves registering a typo of your domain name. For instance, because some people tend to mistype "writing" as "writting", mischievous individuals might register the domain "writting.com" in an attempt to deceive unsuspecting users who make typing errors 
• Spear-phishing: Cunning individuals can try to target your web visitors with links that redirect traffic to expose account credentials or financial information 
• Domain Spoofing: Registering names of established businesses with a different extension and targeting unsuspecting web users 
• Whois Changes: You can track any modifications to your domain's registration details, ensuring that you are alerted to any unauthorized or suspicious changes made to your domain's ownership, contact information, or DNS settings.

Benefits of Domain Monitoring 

You should be vigilant in domain name monitoring to prevent any activities that can damage your brand reputation. Here are the benefits you gain from tracking your domain name. 

Proactive Security Measures 

You don't have to wait until the security of your domain is compromised to act. Putting in place measures like regular monitoring can save your time, money, and brand reputation. Domain monitoring helps you identify any attempts to hijack your brand identity, make unauthorized changes, or do other suspicious activities. 

You get alerts about a potential security breach when you track your domain name. This proactive approach helps you to thwart any malicious activities before they damage your domain reputation. 

In case of brand identity infringement, you can take prompt legal action or send warnings. Intellectual property theft has become prevalent with ease of accessibility across the globe. It is easy for scammers to register your brand name with country code TLD to benefit from your reputation. 

Brand Reputation Management 

A single mistake could take down a business you have built for years. Because of digital interconnection, false information spreads like a virus. Therefore, you should keep your brand from negative exposure. 

Domain monitoring helps you keep an eye on all brand mentions and respond in good time. Competitors or unauthorized individuals can mimic your brand name and try to tarnish your business. In such a case, brand monitoring comes in handy. 

You can also track mentions of your brand in discussions, social media platforms, and websites. This can be a good platform to get customer feedback and resolve concerns. 

Ensuring Legal Compliance 

Intellectual property laws, trademark rights, and industry-specific compliance standards have made some businesses pay dearly for mistakes. For example, Apple Corps Vs Apple Inc. is a legal trademark battle that has gone on for decades. 

 Domain name monitoring helps you track potential violations like trademark infringement. For example, you can identify businesses trying to register your brand name and sue for infringement. 

You can face legal charges if hackers access confidential customer information. In such circumstances, domain tracking can alert you when unauthorized individuals change your domain name system files. This allows you to take measures to avoid data breaches. 

Part of domain monitoring is providing updates on any changes in governing laws. The updates help you to remain compliant and avoid penalties. Therefore, you can proactively adapt your online practices and business strategies to align with the evolving legal landscape.

Tracking Renewal & Expiration 

In 2010, Foursquare almost lost its domain after a failed renewal. Domain expiry could give scammers a loophole to spam your website. You can use domain tracking to get alerts when your domain renewal is almost due. Domain expiry could mean a lost website, email services, and brand visibility. 

Apart from securing your domain, you can track relevant domains and grab them before competitors. Whether you are a domain investor or website owner, this strategy can help you get valuable assets. 

When managing multiple domains, expiration monitoring is a must-do. You need regular updates when the domains are expiring to avoid bounced bills, which could lead to penalties from your bank. The data also helps you to know the assets you can drop and replace with better options. 

Prompt Identification of Technical Issues 

Server outages, DNS misconfigurations, broken links, or slow loading times can wreak havoc on your business. But when you monitor your domain, you can detect issues before they get out of hand. Domain tracking alerts you about changes in your domain name so that you can take action. 

SSL expiration is also another technical aspect that requires close tracking. The issue could lead to undelivered emails and compromise customer trust. Domain name monitoring helps you identify when your SSL certificate is almost expiring. 

How to Monitor Your Domain Names 

When it comes to monitoring your domain, Bishopi is unmatched. You can count on the tool to track your domain reputation, availability, or health. Here is a step-by-step guide to monitoring a domain name: 

1. Go to the Bishopi domain monitoring tool. 
2. Type the domain you want to track. You can even add several names with the "Bulk Import" option. 
3. Click "Add Domain" to include the domain name in your watch list. 

You can use the filter option to select the domain you want to see if you have several assets. You can filter with extension, length, or availability. When you monitor a domain with Bishopi, you get the expiry date, registrar, and availability status. And you will be notified for any changes!

For comprehensive monitoring, you should also monitor your brand name. This tool alerts you when someone registers your trademarked name, mentions keywords related to your brand, or purchases a domain associated with your industry. 

Conclusion 

Domain monitoring provides proactive security measures against cyber threats, ensuring the integrity of your brand reputation. It helps track mentions for timely responses to maintain a positive image. 

With increased surveillance on legal compliance, you need to be cautious and identify potential violations of governing laws. You can track the changes in your DNS to ensure you are up to date. Additionally, domain monitoring helps in expiration monitoring, preventing website downtime, and maximizing brand visibility. You can identify and resolve technical issues to maintain a seamless online experience. 

FAQs 

Why is domain security important? 

Domain security protects your online brand identity, customer data, and website from cyberattacks. By putting in place security measures, you can protect your domain and maintain trust with your audience. Some security measures include safeguarding DNS settings and ensuring up-to-date SSL certificates. 

What is the importance of domain monitoring? 

Domain monitoring is a proactive security approach that ensures compliance with all regulations to maintain a good brand identity. It also helps you identify technical issues and expiration dates for your domains.