Key takeaways:
- Domain Privacy + Protection hides your personal information from public view in the WHOIS database.
- Data has become increasingly valuable, and cybercriminals are actively seeking it with malicious intent.
- Hackers often exploit the public WHOIS records to find company data, but you can block this with domain privacy protection.
When you register a domain name for your website, your personal contact details are collected and may be partially visible in the WHOIS database; the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is responsible for this. Anyone can look up your details by then, and you become open to potential spam and cyberattacks. Given how your contact details are publicly accessible, what is domain privacy doing for you?
With Domain Privacy + Protection, you can keep your sensitive information out of public domain records. Instead of showing your real details, it replaces your data with proxy records, effectively protecting you from malicious elements.
For individuals and small businesses alike, privacy protection helps reduce spam, identity theft attempts, and cyberattacks. In this guide, we’ll discuss why you might need it, how it can help you, and how you can effectively apply it to your website.
What is Domain Privacy + Protection?
When individuals register a domain name, their personal data (e.g., name, address, phone number) is stored in the WHOIS database. These domain names are regulated by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).
Since the WHOIS database is public, domain hijackers can access it and find your private, personal data. Domain privacy protection, sometimes called WHOIS protection, keeps WHOIS privacy at a maximum and protects it from unauthorized access.
Importance of a WHOIS lookup
A WHOIS lookup allows anyone to search the public WHOIS database for specific information about a domain name. Such information includes the current registrant, the registrant’s personal details, and the expiration date.
When a domain name is entered into a WHOIS directory search bar, a request is dispatched to the domain’s registrar or registry, which retrieves and displays the corresponding registered domain record. Unfortunately, cybercriminals will try to access this information and use it in online attacks, launching data breaches, and gathering additional personal information.
Why you need Domain Privacy + Protection
While domain registrars usually include the service with their packages, individuals should still check if it’s present. By ensuring the service is running for your website, you can help:
- Protect your personal information
- Mitigate scams and spam
- Prevent people from selling your personal information
- Thwart competitive espionage
- Prevent unwanted internet traffic
Protect your personal information
Domain privacy protection safeguards your personal and sensitive data, including your organization’s addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and other data in the WHOIS system. It prevents hackers from exploiting your public information for their malicious activities.
Mitigate scams and spam
By shielding your phone numbers and email addresses, you can reduce the recurrence of email phishing, where hackers trick employees into opening fraudulent emails, and prevent unwanted calls and emails.
Prevent people from selling your personal information
Some people scan the WHOIS database for data they can potentially distribute to marketers and organizations, which can result in unwanted emails or texts. Without domain privacy protection, the risk of your personal data being harvested and sold to third-party vendors becomes higher.
Thwart competitive espionage
Competitors may use WHOIS data to spy on other businesses to undermine their unique advantages and seize market share. But with domain protection, you can prevent competitors from accessing sensitive and proprietary data.
Prevent unwanted internet traffic
Not all site traffic is useful for businesses; some may be stalkers or hackers with malicious intent. But by keeping your domain information private, you can greatly reduce unwanted traffic, especially unauthorized or non-business-related visits.
To protect your data privacy, what you need are domain privacy and protection services. Domain registrars, like us, offer these services to keep your sensitive data out of the hands of malicious actors. And we make it simple for you to get Domain Privacy + Protection, all with just one click when you register or renew your domain.
Here’s a quick comparison when you avail of our domain privacy services and when you don’t:
Without privacy | With Network Solutions Domain Privacy + Protection |
|---|---|
Competitors can see your registration data | Business information stays private |
High spam and scam risk | Spam and phishing are reduced |
Personal address exposed | Home or office details remain protected |
Whether you’re running a small business or a personal website, it helps protect your information while still allowing legitimate contacts to reach you.
Cases where Domain Privacy + Protection may not apply
Domain Privacy + Protection is a smart choice for most domain owners when it comes to identity security. However, there are a few cases where it may not be available or necessary:
- Certain country-code domains (ccTLDs): Some domains, like .us (United States), .au (Australia), and .in (India), legally require domain registrant information to remain public. For these extensions, you’re not allowed to use privacy protection.
- Business transparency requirements: Some organizations, such as regulated businesses or nonprofits, may choose to keep WHOIS records public to enhance accountability and legitimacy.
- Already protected by regulation: In some regions, privacy laws like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) automatically limit how much registrant data is displayed publicly. The law reduces, but does not eliminate, the need for domain privacy services.
But even if your case falls under these conditions, it’s still worth noting the risks of publicizing information and exploring other security measures for your online presence.
How to activate domain privacy protection on Network Solutions?
If you already manage your website through our services, you can turn on Domain Privacy + Protection directly from your account dashboard. This gives domain owners a quick way to keep their personal details from appearing in public WHOIS records.
To enable the feature:
- Log in to your Network Solutions Account Manager.
- Click on Domains to view your managed domains.
- Select the domain you want to activate with Domain Privacy.
- Scroll down and look for the “Domain Contacts” section. Look to the right and find the “Private Registration” section; make sure it shows a green padlock with an “On” beside it. If not, click the button below it to activate it.
Once completed, your domain privacy is successfully enabled.
Stay ahead of security threats with additional protection
Getting Domain Privacy + Protection services keeps your personal data safe from malicious elements and competitors. But it’s always good practice to add another level of protection like SiteLock, so you remain proactively protected against suspicious activities.
Here are ways that SiteLock can help protect your site further:
- Daily malware scanning: Do advanced security scans that inspect websites for malware, viruses, and other malicious code. As you scan, you’ll get immediate alerts when threats come up, giving you more time to resolve them.
- Blacklist monitoring: Regularly monitor your website’s IP address connections with search engines or security blacklists. You’ll be notified right away when your website is blacklisted, so you can correct it immediately.
- SMS domain alerts: Real-time SMS updates on your domain keep you informed about suspicious activities, unauthorized domain modifications, or potential security threats.
With our Domain Privacy + Protection and SiteLock services, you can rest assured that your personal data is safe and that your site is protected from cyber threats.
Frequently asked questions
Domain privacy protection services keep your sensitive information out of public view. It replaces your data with proxy records rather than showing your actual details in the WHOIS database.
Yes, but it won’t be through the public WHOIS database. Domain privacy services will replace your personal contact information with a substitute, often an anonymous email address or a forwarding service. Legitimate inquiries can still reach you.
Domain privacy is not usually required by law. However, depending on data privacy regulations like GDPR, there might be requirements to protect personal data, and domain privacy can help you comply with that.
We offer Domain Privacy + Protection as an addition when you register a domain. To enable it, add it to your domain registration or renewal in your Network Solutions account.
Domain Privacy + Protection hides your personal information from public WHOIS databases, such as your address, phone number, and email address.
Domain Privacy + Protection is typically a service you need to renew. Contact our customer support or check your account details for specific renewal information and pricing.
Your website needs domain privacy to protect your data from public exposure and misuse by scammers, spammers, and identity thieves.
Without Domain Privacy + Protection, your personal information in the WHOIS database is open to unauthorized access. You’ll be at more risk for personal information theft, scams, spam, and other malicious activities.
Get complete domain privacy and protection now
Protecting your personal information starts with the right domain privacy solution. With our Domain Privacy + Protection, you can keep your contact details out of public WHOIS records and reduce unwanted spam, scams, and security risks.
You’ll also get added protection against malicious activity, unauthorized domain changes, malware, and blacklisting; you can focus on running your business with confidence. And when you’re ready to grow online, we give you the tools to do it with reliable web hosting, professional email, and an easy-to-use website builder.
