Retired Convention Domains and Online Risk
Explains why older convention sites were decommissioned and retired, how expired domains can be misused, and where to find current official event information.
Convention websites created before 2021 were built with a limited life cycle. Each event domain typically remained active for a few years, then entered decommission. Control of those domains stayed with the organization during decommission. After the permanent event portal jwevent.org® launched, many legacy domains were allowed to lapse. An expired domain can be purchased by anyone, which creates risk for those who still have old bookmarks or follow old links shared in messages and posts.
Why legacy domains lapse
Before 2021, special (now discontinued) and international conventions used year-specific domains. Each site served as a central portal for the event, providing general information for delegates and volunteers. After the event cycle, the site entered a decommissioned phase, with data remained available for a limited time. The data was then archived or deleted, and the domain was retired. When the domain registration for a retired domain is not renewed, third parties with no connection to the organization can acquire it and publish unrelated or harmful content.
How reclaimed domains can be abused
| Threat | Description |
|---|---|
| Malware distribution | Replaced pages can hide downloads that infect devices. |
| Phishing | Look-alike pages can solicit sign-ins, donations, or personal data. |
| Impersonation | Familiar names and layouts create false credibility and lower caution. |
| Search and social residue | Old links in posts, emails, and blogs continue to circulate and can drive traffic to hostile sites. |
| Typosquatting | Attackers register names that differ by one or two characters from known event domains to capture mistakes. |
Recommended actions
- Remove old bookmarks for past convention sites, including year-style addresses such as
jw{yyyy}.org. - Verify the full address before visiting. On desktop, hover to preview the link. On mobile, long-press to view the destination.
- Start from official sources. Current convention information is published only on jwevent.org® and jw.org®.
- Keep software up to date. Modern browsers and security tools provide warnings for deceptive or malware-hosting sites.
- Report suspicious pages using the browser option such as “Report Insecure Site” or equivalent feature.
Where to find authentic convention information
Current and future convention content is consolidated under jwevent.org® and other trusted organizational domains such as jw.org®. Treat URLs that fall outside these families with caution, even if the name looks familiar or appears in an old message thread.
Key takeaway
Retired convention domains are no longer managed by the organization and can be re-registered by unrelated parties. Clearing outdated bookmarks, checking link destinations, and relying on jwevent.org® and jw.org® provide a simple and effective way to avoid phishing and malware risks.