Domain name hijackers, unfortunately, proliferate around us, whether in secluded rooms or in Internet cafes, even across the globe. They are all scheming to steal your domain names from your web hosting site. It is a good thing to know that there are ways to prevent losing your domain names in your domain registration.nDomain name hijacking is the phrase generally used to define the illegitimate acquisition of a domain name from its rightful owner by deception or fraud. Relative to this, here are the usual forms of domain hijacking:n1)     Enactment of a posing registrant in dealing with a registrar (also known as “social engineering”)n2)     Registering an expired registered email address to acquire a new password and make way for a registrar or registrant transfer through the web hosting siten3)     Registering an expired domain name, applied for an administrative contact or account email address, then deceiving the email addressn4)     Hacking or spywaren5)     Counterfeiting of transfer authorizations and other account verification datan6)     Stealing of data by a disgruntled employee or business partnern7)     Incorporating new verification data and then falsely confirming the data to illegally gain account access via web hostingn8)     Hijacking an email server to deceive the email to make it appear it came from the registered ownernReasons for Hijacking Domain NamesnOne of the main reasons hijacking of domain names is resorted to is money. Domain names are generally expensive whether for an existing establishment, for reselling, or for the online traffic it might bring. Some would do it just for the fancy, the challenge or the negative reputation it might generate. But usually, hijackers infiltrate an account and gain control of domain names from web hosting sites to be able to sell it to other unknowing parties. Some do it for malicious intent.nIt can be very hard to redeem a stolen domain name from a domain registration. Registrars are apprehensive in entertaining claims of domain name hijacking. Hijackers usually spirit away domain names and make it appear they have been auctioned off to third parties even though they have not. More often than not, you will only discover that your domain name has been stolen when you find out that it has been claimed by a third or fourth different registrant who alleges that the domain name has been acquired at a certain price.nPrevention Is The Best SolutionnThe best way in dealing with domain name hijacking is outright prevention. Hijackers know the different weaknesses in the domain registration system and they take advantage of this. The following can help in minimizing the occurrence of domain name hijacking:n1)     Always keep definite contact information with your registrar or service provider. When stealing happens and the contact information is incorrect, the registrar encounters difficulty identifying who the rightful owner of the domain name is. Avoid providing false contact data or information.n2)     Deal only with reputable registrars with your domains. There are virtually hundreds of registrars in web hosting sites to choose from and thousands of resellers. Complaints abound on lack of service and unresponsiveness by dishonest service providers. When your domain name is hijacked it would be very difficult to get anyone from listening to you. A key point is to look for a registrar that sends a transfer confirmation email before actually transferring a domain name.n3)     Avoid expiration of your registered email address. As you know, your email address is the essential aspect in opening your domain names. Your registered or administrative contact email address can be used at many registrars in accessing the user names and passwords to many accounts. Under the Transfer Policy of ICANN, the regulating web hosting site, an acquiring registrar normally gets the needed transfer confirmation via email sent to the registered user or administrative contact email address on record for the domain name. An expired email address can be very prone to domain name hijacking.n4)     Maintain secrecy in user names and passwords. Never divulge these valuable data to other persons to keep your account secure and safe from hijacking.n5)     Make use of a Whois privacy service, because with this feature, your account will be more difficult to deceive and infiltrate.n6)     Use locks for your domains available from your service provider.n7)     Keep track and tabs of your account profile for any illegal changes. The sooner you get to know about a hijacking occurrence, the better your chances of having this resolved in your web hosting site.