Key takeaways:
- Data has become more valuable and is a target for cyberattacks and data breaches.
- Hackers often exploit the public Whois database to access company data, but you can block this risk by enabling domain privacy protection.
- Domain Privacy + Protection hides your personal information in the public Whois database to deter cybercriminals from exploiting it.
A company’s data is one of its greatest assets—it’s used to optimize operations, improve services, and gain advantages. Considering its many potentials, company data is also a valuable target for cybercriminals. The consequences can be staggering if it falls into the wrong hands, since it can be used for cyberattacks and data breaches, potentially costing a company millions and its reputation.
Hackers use different methods, but one of the most common is accessing your company data from the public Whois database. Fortunately, you can prevent this with domain privacy protection.
What is Domain Privacy + Protection?
When individuals register a domain name, their personal data —like name, address, phone number, and Internet Protocol (IP)— is stored in the Whois database. These domain names are regulated under the supervision of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).
Since the Whois database is public, domain hijackers can also access the database and find your private, personal data. Domain privacy protection, a service offered by domain registrars, keeps personal data in the Whois records confidential 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 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
To protect individual users and organizations against personal information theft, most domain registrars offer domain privacy protection.
Individuals should consider adopting this service for the following reasons:
- Personal information protection: Domain privacy protection ensures that an organization’s addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and other sensitive data remain inaccessible through the Whois system. Availing such protection makes it harder for hackers to exploit this information for illicit purposes.
- Scam and spam mitigation: Shielding phone numbers and email information reduces the chances of email phishing, where hackers disguise themselves as legitimate entities to trick employees into opening fraudulent emails. Additionally, it prevents unwanted solicitations via calls and emails.
- Prevention of personal data sales: Without domain privacy protection, the risk of personal information being harvested and sold to third-party vendors becomes higher. These vendors, in turn, supply the information to marketers and organizations that bombard individuals with unwanted communications.
- Thwarting competitive espionage: Competitors may use domain name registration data to spy into a business’s operations. Other brands seeking to undermine its unique advantages and seize market share can now use personal information against an organization.
- Preventing unwanted internet traffic: While most companies welcome website visitors, permitting unauthorized access to private data can attract stalkers and hackers with malicious intent.
Stay ahead of security threats with additional protection
What sets our Domain Privacy + Protection apart is our additional layer of security, ensuring that you remain informed and proactive against suspicious activities.
- Daily malware scanning: Do advanced security scans that routinely inspect websites for malware, viruses, and other malicious code. Immediate alerts are issued upon detection of any threats for quick resolution.
- Blacklist monitoring: Regularly monitor your website’s IP address connections with search engine or security blacklists, since these suggest association with malicious activity. Timely notifications of blacklisting incidents let you correct them immediately.
- SMS domain alerts: Real-time SMS notifications regarding domain events keep you informed about suspicious activities, unauthorized domain modifications, or potential security threats.
Get complete domain privacy and protection with Network Solutions
With a long history of safely registering business domain names, Network Solutions offers Domain Privacy + Protection to safeguard your personal information from spammers, telemarketers, and bots. Plus, with additional security, you stay ahead of malicious actors, malware, blacklisting, and unauthorized domain changes. Aside from protection, you can also benefit from our easy-to-use DIY web builders and trusted web hosting services.
Frequently asked questions
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 typically 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 those regulations.
Network Solutions offers Domain Privacy + Protection as an added layer of safety to safeguard your personal data. To enable it, you can add it to your domain registration or renewal through your Network Solutions account.
Domain Privacy + Protection hides your personal information from the public Whois database, including details like address, phone number, domain name, email, and internet protocol (IP) address.
Domain Privacy + Protection is typically a service that you need to renew along with your domain name registration. Contact Network Solutions customer support or check your account details for specific renewal information and pricing.
It’s important because cybercriminals can easily gather publicly accessible information from the Whois database and misuse it for scams, spam, or identity theft.
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 and spam, and other malicious activities.
