Last week I received an E-mail from my domain name register. Now after working in the Web hosting field for some time, I know these types of messages scare people. There’s no reason to be frightened folks! Here’s the most important part of the message I received:

The previous ICANN policy allowed us to deny requests to transfer your domain names to another registrar unless you explicitly confirmed to us your intent to transfer. The new ICANN policy removes that protection.

When we receive a request to transfer your domain name to a new registrar, we will still attempt to contact you to confirm that you authorized the request. However, if you do not respond, or are not able to respond within 5 days, your domain name WILL be transferred.

In one of my previous articles I mentioned the dangers in this new ICANN rule. All you need to do though is to login at the Web site in which you registered your domain name, and choose the option to “lock” your domain. If you have any questions you should feel free to ask your domain name register or Web host to help you out.

One more thing you should keep an eye on. If you receive an E-mail that says something to this effect and it says it is from your domain name register, make sure before you click any links inside the E-mail itself. To be even safer, just go to your domain name register’s Web site yourself to make the changes. I know it is only a matter of time before people try to use false E-mails to trick people into handing over personal details.

Chances are very few people will be scammed out of the domain name they already own, but it is never bad to be safe.