Why it is best not to let your domain expire

An expired domain name is an open door for hackers

Losing a domain name may seem harmless, but the consequences can be serious. If you don’t pay your annual registration on time, your domain enters a 40-day quarantine. After that, it becomes available again. Anyone can take it over — and it happens more often than you’d think. 

Why keep your domain name?  

  • Competitors can hijack your domain and mislead your customers.
  • Drop catchers buy expired domains to resell them at high prices.
  • Hackers use old domains to access emails, accounts, and sensitive data. 

Real-world incidents 

  • In 2024, ethical hacker Inti De Ceukelaire bought over 100 expired domains from governments and hospitals. This gave him access to sensitive information via old email addresses. 

  • In the Netherlands, a hacker intercepted police emails for six months — simply by registering an old domain. 

  • Thousands of youth care files were leaked after the domain of a Dutch child welfare agency expired. 
  • Hackers stole over a billion records and demanded ransom from a municipality in Wallonia. 

The damage? Irreversible. 

The cost of keeping your domain? Peanuts. 

Smart tips to stay safe 

  • Check your traffic: Are people still visiting your old domain?
  • Review your links: Is your domain still listed online or in internal documents?
  • Use email wisely: Set up auto-replies and forwarding. 

Only consider letting go of your domain name when you're absolutely sure it's no longer in use. Until then: hold on to it. It’s worth it for your digital security.