What Is Registrar Lock (Domain Transfer Protection)?

What is a registrar?

A registrar is a company that sells and manages domain names. A domain name is the address of your website. Your registrar keeps a record of who owns each name.

What is a registrar lock?

A registrar lock is a safety switch on your domain. When it is on, nobody can move your domain to another registrar. Moving a domain is called a transfer. It is like locking your front door. Even someone with a key code cannot walk off with the house.

Why is it useful?

• It stops thieves from stealing your domain if they get hold of your transfer code.
• It stops accidental transfers.
• It gives you peace of mind.

The lock is sometimes called Domain Lock, Transfer Lock or Transfer Protection. Technically, it sets a status such as clientTransferProhibited on the domain.

When should you unlock?

Only when you want to move your domain to a new registrar. For daily use, keep it locked. Also note that some new or recently transferred domains have a waiting period during which transfers are blocked. Ask support if you are unsure.

Steps to change the lock

1. Log in to the client area at https://secure.hostvento.com/clientarea.php.
2. Click Domains, then My Domains.
3. Click the domain you want to manage.
4. Look for Registrar Lock. It can be in the management tools or the side menu. The exact label may differ for some domain extensions.
5. Switch it to Enabled to protect the domain. Switch it to Disabled to allow a transfer.
6. Save the change.

Not all extensions support a lock. If you do not see the option, it may not apply to your domain.

Transferring a domain away

1. Disable the lock.
2. Ask for the transfer code, also called the EPP code or auth code. It is a secret password for your domain. Find it in the domain's management page, or ask support.
3. Give the code to your new registrar.
4. Turn the lock on again at the new registrar once the move is complete.

Quick recap

• A registrar lock stops your domain from being transferred away.
• Keep it on for safety.
• Turn it off only when you plan to move the domain.
• Find it under Domains then My Domains.
• Guard your transfer code.