Editing Domain hijacking (section)

==Description==
Domain hijacking can be done in several ways, generally by unauthorized access to, or exploiting a vulnerability in the domain name registrar's system, through [[social engineering (security)|social engineering]], or getting into the domain owner's email account that is associated with the domain name registration. <ref>{{cite web|title=CLBR Featured Segment: David Weslow on Domain Theft|url=https://cyberlawradio.wordpress.com/2015/07/01/clbr-featured-segment-david-weslow-on-domain-theft/|website=Cyber Law Radio|date=July 2015 |access-date=12 September 2016}}</ref>

A frequent tactic used by domain hijackers is to use acquired personal information about the actual domain owner to impersonate them and persuade the domain [[Domain name registry|registrar]] to modify the registration information and/or transfer the domain to another registrar, a form of [[identity theft]]. Once this has been done, the hijacker has full control of the domain and can use it or sell it to a third party.

Other methods include email vulnerability, vulnerability at the domain-registration level, keyloggers, and phishing sites. <ref name="aplegal.com">{{cite web|url=http://aplegal.com/blog/slamming-door-domain-name-hijacking/|title=Domain Name Hijacking|date=31 December 2014|access-date=13 May 2017|archive-date=12 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161212183846/http://aplegal.com/blog/slamming-door-domain-name-hijacking/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Responses to discovered hijackings vary; sometimes the registration information can be returned to its original state by the current registrar, but this may be more difficult if the domain name was transferred to another registrar, particularly if that registrar resides in another country. If the stolen domain name has been transferred to another registrar, the losing registrar may invoke ICANN's Registrar Transfer Dispute Resolution Policy to seek the return of the domain.<ref>{{cite web|title=Registrar Transfer Dispute Resolution Policy|url=https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/tdrp-2012-02-25-en|website=ICANN|access-date=12 September 2016}}</ref>

In some cases, the losing registrar for the domain name is not able to regain control over the domain, and the domain name owner may need to pursue legal action to obtain the court ordered return of the domain.<ref>{{cite web|title=Domain name theft: Knowing where to turn|url=http://www.trademarksandbrandsonline.com/article/domain-name-theft-knowing-where-to-turn|website=TBO: Trademarks & Brands Online|access-date=12 September 2016|archive-date=4 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160804203236/http://www.trademarksandbrandsonline.com/article/domain-name-theft-knowing-where-to-turn|url-status=dead}}</ref> In some jurisdictions, police may arrest cybercriminals involved, or prosecutors may file [[indictment]]s.<ref name="techdirt1">{{cite web|author=Mike Masnick |url=https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20090804/0217125767.shtml |title=Criminal Prosecution For Domain Hijacking |publisher=Techdirt |date=2009-08-04 |access-date=2019-06-19}}</ref>

Although the legal status of domain hijacking was formerly thought to be unclear, <ref>{{cite web|last1=Smith|first1=Gerry|title=When Hackers Steal A Web Address, Few Owners Ever Get It Back|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/29/domain-theft_n_5877510.html|website=Huffington Post|date=29 September 2014}}</ref> certain U.S. federal courts in particular have begun to accept causes of action seeking the return of stolen domain names.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Berkens|first1=Michael|title=Wiley Rein Files Suit Over 14 Stolen Domain Names: 9 Are 3 Letter .com's|url=http://www.thedomains.com/2014/10/23/wiley-rein-files-suit-over-14-stolen-domain-names-9-are-3-letter-coms/|website=The Domains}}</ref> Domain hijacking is analogous with theft, in that the original owner is deprived of the benefits of the domain, but [[theft]] traditionally relates to concrete goods such as jewelry and electronics, whereas domain name ownership is stored only in the digital state of the domain name registry, a network of computers. For this reason, court actions seeking the recovery of stolen domain names are most frequently filed in the location of the relevant domain registry.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Allemann|first1=Andrew|title=Lawsuit filed to recover stolen three letter domain names|url=http://domainnamewire.com/2014/10/23/lawsuit-filed-to-recover-stolen-three-letter-domain-names/|website=Domain Name Wire|access-date=13 September 2016|date=23 October 2014}}</ref> In some cases, victims have pursued recovery of stolen domain names through ICANN's [[Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy|Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy]] (UDRP), but a number of UDRP panels have ruled that the policy is not appropriate for cases involving domain theft. Additionally, police may arrest cybercriminals involved.<ref name="techdirt1"/><ref>{{cite web|title=WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center|url=http://www.wipo.int/amc/en/domains/decisions/html/2008/d2008-1141.html|access-date=12 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center|url=http://www.wipo.int/amc/en/domains/search/text.jsp?case=D2010-1661|website=WIPO: World Intellectual Property Organization}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Mascot Media Circle, LLC dba OnlineMBA v. WhoIsGuard, Inc. / Ahmed Guettouche Case No. D2015-1209|url=http://www.wipo.int/amc/en/domains/search/text.jsp?case=D2015-1209;|website=WIPO: World Intellectual Property Organization|access-date=12 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.adrforum.com/domaindecisions/1674326.htm| title= DECISION Donald Williams v. wangyan hong | website=Forum: Arbitration, Mediation, International|access-date = 2017-04-23}}</ref>