WHOIS Privacy: Protecting Your Domain Information
WHOIS is a public database that stores domain registration details, such as phone numbers, IP addresses, names, etc., because no one wants their data misused or stolen. Originally, WHOIS data was made public for trust and transparency online, but when the internet grew, causing the rise of attackers and cybercriminals, it became crucial to pay attention to privacy and protect it.
In the following sections, we will talk more about WHOIS privacy protection and how it works.
What Is WHOIS Privacy Protection?
WHOIS privacy meaning is a service that keeps your confidentiality. It protects your personal contact information from the public WHOIS database after registering a domain name. So, when someone looks up your domain info, instead of seeing your info, they’ll see an anonymous or protected version. It’s like a proxy, redirecting users to a masked or generic version of your contact information.
ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) sets rules for how domain names and IP addresses work. In the past, it required everything to be public, but now it allows registrars to offer WHOIS privacy.
GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), which is a European Union law, protects people’s data from being stolen or sold. For example, users can ask companies to delete their data at any time.
To know more, you can check What is Domain Privacy Protection.
Why Is WHOIS Privacy Important?
When you register a domain, your info is publicly exposed by default, and it’s available online for free. There are many risks of revealing personal information publicly, which is why use WHOIS privacy:
- Spam and phishing attacks: spammers can use the WHOIS database to their advantage, get personal information, and send you sketchy links and junk mail
- Identity theft: personal information such as email, name, phone number, etc., can be used to break into your online accounts. Doesn’t it sound familiar to you?
- Social engineering: Hackers absolutely love using WHOIS data and tricking your registrar into handing them your domain access.
- Doxxing and harassment: it’s another form of online abuse that allows others to weaponize and share your real-life info.
Benefits of WHOIS privacy
When WHOIS privacy is turned on, it comes with many benefits. It hides your name and location from public view. It will make it harder for attackers to target or impersonate you. You will not have any weird calls, emails, or threats showing up unexpectedly, and spam is reduced when your email is not exposed.
Real-world examples
A study by Cisco in 2021 showed that 86% of companies are targets for phishing attacks. Attackers use the WHOIS database to get target emails. Mark Jeftovic, a domain investor, was physically stalked because WHOIS was used to find his home address.
To learn more about how domain ownership data can be accessed and used, Find Who Is The Owner of a Domain name.
How Does WHOIS Privacy Work?
Technically, when WHOIS Privacy is enabled:
- Registrant, Admin, and Billing information are automatically replaced with the registrar’s information.
- An intermediary email is provided to contact the domain owner.
- Contact forms are routed to the domain owner in a controlled manner.
This blocks others and bots from getting to your info, stopping issues like spam, scams, or legal trouble. With WHOIS Privacy on, people can reach out to you through a middle email or form, keeping your real email hidden. So, you can connect, but dodge the extra mess.
WHOIS Privacy vs Proxy Registration
Some providers, instead of hiding your information, register the entire domain in the name of an intermediary, which is called Proxy Registration. There are some important differences between the two methods:
|
Feature |
Domain Privacy |
Proxy Registration |
|
Legal Owner |
You |
The Proxy Company |
|
WHOIS Info |
Masked |
Proxy’s Detail |
|
Ownership Rights |
Full control |
Sometimes limited or unclear |
|
Risk Level |
Low |
Medium-High |
|
Used By |
Most modern users |
Some niche cases or ultra-private users |
As you see, WHOIS Privacy hides personal info like name and email but leaves domain details such as registrar, dates, and nameservers visible.
So, you can still see domain ownership here.
WHOIS Privacy for Different Domain Extensions
Not all domain endings (TLDs) work the same for WHOIS Privacy. Some domain extensions offer WHOIS Privacy, while others restrict or prohibit it altogether as a result of legal or registry restrictions. For example, WHOIS Privacy is completely prohibited with .us and .in. However, Many of the generic TLDs we are more familiar with, like .com, .net, .org, and .info, allow and support WHOIS Privacy.
If WHOIS Privacy isn't available for the domain ending you want to use, you can still have some protection by using your business name and address and setting up a separate dedicated email address, using a proxy service to not disclose your identity where allowed.
Common Myths About WHOIS Privacy
So far, we have discussed why WHOIS Privacy Protection can be beneficial and why you should use it. Now let’s talk about some myths and misconceptions.
- WHOIS Privacy makes your domain 100% anonymous: We previously said that it hides personal information, but still, the registrar and the ICANN can access your real identity. Also, WHOIS privacy laws can force you to give them data if needed. You are not completely invisible.
To see the information that is available publicly, you can use WHOIS Search.
- WHOIS Privacy is automatically enabled: Don’t forget that this option is usually not on by default. Many registrars offer this option (paid or as a bundle), but make sure to enable it during or after the registration.
- WHOIS Privacy Protects Against Hackers: Even after enabling it, you are not completely safe from attackers. Remember that this is not a security system at all. However, it can still reduce the attacks.
- It’s Only for People with Something to Hide: Even if you have nothing to hide, or you’re a person with no secrets, it’s still advised to consider this option. So, this is outdated thinking. Reducing spam and protecting your data are things everyone should keep in mind.
How to Enable WHOIS Privacy on Your Domain (Step-by-Step)
Enabling WHOIS privacy is simple and usually takes just a few clicks:
- First of all, log in to your domain registrar website.
- Then, go to My Domains or Domain Management and choose the domain you want to protect.
- Look for “WHOIS Privacy” or “Domain Privacy”.
- Toggle it on or click active and save changes.
- If required, pay the relevant fee and complete the final verification.
- Now, your info should be hidden from public WHOIS.
Sum up
Now, you know why use WHOIS privacy! It is one of the best services to protect your personal details when you register a domain. With it, you can protect yourself from spam, be anonymous, and not appearing exposed to threats such as phishing, harassment, and identity theft. Now, you should enable WHOIS privacy, and you will not be invisible to hackers or the like. Using WHOIS Privacy is a reasonable and useful layer of privacy every domain owner should consider.