If you are new to domain name registration, the process can be confusing. There are dozens of registrars to choose from, domain extension options are seemingly endless, and prices vary. However, a common cause for concern is the possibility of accidentally submitting personal information to a website.
Fortunately, your personal information is shared with aggregators through your web host or registrar. Buying a domain usually allows you to register it privately, but you can also add privacy to an existing domain.
This article helps answer 13 frequently asked questions about private domain registration. Check it out!
What personal information is required when registering a domain?
When registering a domain, you will need to provide your name, physical address, phone number and email address. This contact information is used to track domain ownership. It is published online through the WHOIS directory.
Other information is also available, such as the year and date the domain was registered, the date it was last modified, and the expiration date. You can also get technical information like domain status and server names.
Why do I need to provide personal information to register my domain?
Millions of domains are bought, sold and created on the web every day. Tracking is not an easy task and tracking is essential. Some may not like it, but the current trend is to publish domain registration information online.
This information is used to verify domain ownership. These records are important in the event of a dispute.
Additionally, domain registration is important for monitoring your online activities. For example, if an online business is involved in illegal transactions, authorities may contact the website owner to resolve the issue.
What is WHOIS?
WHOIS is a public database of all website domains. This includes the personal information of each site owner. This guide has been misused by spammers and scammers to track domain ownership.
The WHOIS directory is maintained by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). Its function is to manage and maintain domain ownership records for technical and legal purposes.
The problem is that these systems have been around for a long time and older systems are vulnerable to modern cybercrimes. Therefore, an alternative to WHOIS, Registration Data Access Protocol (RDAP) was developed to make it more secure and comply with strict internet privacy laws such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Although this is a necessary development, RDAP is not yet fully implemented and provides the same information as WHOIS. The information used to register the domain is now publicly available. This means that the website owner’s name, phone number, address and email address may be exposed.
Is it a private domain?
Private domain registration allows you to purchase and register a domain without revealing your personal information to public directories. Many web hosts and registrars offer this service.
If you choose to register a private domain, the information will be changed by the service provider’s host or registrar. When someone searches the WHOIS listing for a domain, they are directed to the company that provides the privacy service, not the actual website owner.
A WHOIS name, phone number, email address and postal address are required when purchasing a domain. This information is disclosed for commercial and legal reasons, but many people do not want their personal information exposed online.
Why should my domain registration be private?
Domain registration often requires personal information that must be kept confidential. If you can’t write your name, address, and phone number on a bulletin board, you probably don’t want to be on the Internet.
The most common reason to register a private domain is to avoid spam, spoofing and harassment. Unfortunately, with contact details published online these days, you run the risk of receiving unwanted communications.
We may use the personal information you provide as appropriate, even if it is not strictly confidential. For example, using your name, email address and website information, someone can easily send you an email from a fake account that looks like yours. This can lead to phishing of user credentials and compromise your site’s security.
Can I add privacy to an existing domain?
If you have already registered your domain with your personal information, don’t worry. You can usually hide this information using your privacy settings.
To do this, open the hosting control panel or contact the registrar to request this service. In most cases, data is encrypted and can be exchanged with collectors for a nominal fee.
This means you can add privately if you register privately first. There’s no good reason not to, as it will save you some serious headaches down the road.
What is Domain Privacy Protection?
Domain Privacy Protection is a service offered by web hosts and domain registrars that allows you to hide your personal information from the public. Contact information for domain owners can usually be found by anyone in the WHOIS directory.
Instead, domains act as privacy-preserving proxies, replacing information with common usernames or service provider names. Therefore, anyone interested can contact the hosting company or registrar to verify domain ownership and store the information in WHOIS.
If you don’t have a business phone number, secure email address, or company email address, you should invest in domain privacy protection. This helps you prevent spam and ensure cyber security. Even if you have the above business contact information, you should share it publicly with your domain to protect your personal information.
How can I personalize my domain registration?
To register a domain without sharing your personal information publicly, you should use a registrar that offers private domain registration. Some hosts are already included in the plan, although you may pay a small additional fee to use this service.
For example, when you buy a DreamHost domain, you can choose free personal registration. In this way personal information is exchanged with the public register of the public register.
Add privacy to your existing domain at DreamHost at no additional cost.
Registrars and hosting providers may have different registration methods and prices, but it should be as easy as selecting an option during the purchase process. If you register without selecting the separate registration option, you can add it back normally. Better than never, but remember that some spambots have removed your email address from WHOIS.
How much does private domain registration cost?
There is no fixed fee for registering a private domain. This service is offered by a number of hosts and registrars, each with their own price, which is usually added to the base price of the domain.
For example, DreamHost offers free private domain registration with its service. Other companies treat private membership as an additional fee, typically charging a recurring monthly fee of $10-$30 or $1-$2.
In many cases, private domain registration is worth the peace of mind. This option should be obtained when registering your domain with the most popular registrar and web host.
Which domain extensions are eligible for private registration?
Most common URL extensions are eligible for private registration. The following common extensions can be registered separately.
- .com is available.
- .org is available.
- , communication network
In fact, many extensions can be registered individually. Many extensions cannot be registered individually for specific geographic areas (countries, states, etc.). For example:
- , We
- Ahh
- .Water
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list and eligibility is subject to change. This is because top-level domains (TLDs) are constantly being added and the privacy status of existing extensions can be updated. Options vary by host and registrar, so check their privacy compliance before signing up.
How do I enable privacy for my website domain name?
Enabling privacy for domain names is something that most websites don’t do. Domain registration information is available in the WHOIS directory maintained by ICANN, which tracks domain ownership on the web.
To enable privacy for a domain name, you need access to a hosting service or registrar. This option is usually provided when purchasing a domain, but can often be added after the sale.
The process will vary depending on the company you use, but usually just check a box or pay extra for a special membership.
If you have trouble finding this option through your hosting dashboard or registrar’s website, you can always contact them to see if they offer this service. Alternatively, you can use another company’s privacy service, but that will require a domain transfer to that company.
How to protect yourself from digital touch?
One of the most important things you can do to protect yourself from online stalking is to stay anonymous. If possible, avoid using personal information such as your real name online. In situations where you must use your real name, confuse it with contact information.
You might not think someone would misuse something as simple as an email address, but stalkers can be persistent. For example, when you block a spam email address, you find that the person has started sending emails from another address.
What is important? Keeping your personal information private is the best way to avoid digital anesthesia. But once you get started, it’s a good idea to get some extra help.
Protect your online privacy when registering a domain
Now that you have a better understanding of private domain registration, you can protect the personal information associated with your website. Adding this layer of privacy helps prevent identity theft, hacking attempts and spam.
To add privacy to your domain, you can:
- After purchasing your domain, register it.
- Use your hosting dashboard or contact your registrar to add privacy protection for your domain.