How to lock your domain at Hover (Tucows)

Three registrar settings prevent the two ways domains are most often lost — hijacked by an unauthorized transfer, or silently expired: the transfer lock, auto-renew, and WHOIS privacy. In WHOIS/RDAP, clientTransferProhibited is the transfer lock: it tells the registry to reject transfer-away requests until you remove it via your registrar.

1. Transfer lock

1. Open the domain's overview page in your Hover account.
2. Switch the Transfer lock toggle.

⚠ WHOIS/RDAP shows the registrar as Tucows Domains Inc. — Hover is a Tucows retail brand, and other Tucows-based providers show the same registrar string. These steps apply to Hover accounts specifically.

ICANN policy allows registrars to block transfers within 60 days of registration or a previous transfer, and applies a 60-day lock after changing registrant contact details. Some registrars let you opt out of the post-change lock BEFORE making the change; once it applies, it can't be lifted early.

2. Auto-renewon by default at Hover (Tucows)

1. Domain overview page → auto-renew toggle in the left details column → confirm (charged the day before expiry).

Keep the payment method current — auto-renew with an expired card is how "locked" domains still lapse.

3. WHOIS privacy

Domain details box → WHOIS Privacy toggle (included free and on by default for eligible domains).

Steps verified against Hover: DNSSEC services and related Hover (Tucows) docs on 2026-07-14.