WhoIs Lookup and Monitor
This tool downloads the whois information for the site name supplied and the information stored. Later when you try the same whois request again the system will look up the current whois information, then retrieve the previously known whois information and will compare them. If the two are different then it will let you know.
Who Owns Your Domain?
The answer might surprise you. I have now heard of two incidents whereby a domain name a person thought they owned was taken from them. The two situations had nothing to do with domain name hijacking, just happened that the domain name was registered under someone else’s name.
Why does this matter?
On the internet, your domain name is your company. If people are used to going to one URL and suddenly you’re no longer there, they don’t know if your company still exists, whether you’ve just redesigned your website. From an SEO point of view, starting an organic ranking campaign with a totally new domain will impact your traffic and sales for many months.
How Can I Lose My Domain Name?
One way is if you request your web host, web designer or other ‘knowledgeable’ person to register a domain for you. If you do this make sure the domain is registered in your name, especially you should be listed as the registrant.
Another is if you have a partner in a business, make sure the domain name is in your company’s name – if you split with your partner make sure it’s in writing who owns the domain. Enter your domain name above and check that no one that you don’t want is listed on the whois domain listing. If you lose your domain name, you can appeal it through ICANN but be prepared, unless it’s an obvious hijacking, to spend a lot of time and money fighting it – be proactive, it’ll save you time in the long run.
