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Do I Need Domain Privacy + Protection?

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Data Privacy Protection

Key Takeaways:

  • In today's digital world, data is more valuable than ever before and is a target for cyberattacks and data breaches
  • Domain privacy protection is a service that hides your personal information from the public Whois database to make it difficult for cybercriminals to find and exploit your personal information.
  • Network Solutions offers Domain Privacy + Protection which provides an added layer of safety to effectively and easily safeguard your personal data.

 

In today's interconnected digital world, data is more valuable than ever before. It can be used to optimize business operations, improve customer service, and gain a competitive edge. However, data is also a valuable target for cybercriminals. As an IT professional, you are acutely aware of the pivotal role data plays in your team's daily operations and the convenience of your customers' lives. However, the flip side of this digital abundance is the ominous prospect of this information falling into the wrong hands.

The repercussions of cyberattacks, data breaches, and the mishandling of personal information can be staggering, potentially costing a company upwards of millions. Furthermore, it can tarnish an organization's reputation and result in the loss of valuable customers. Such financial setbacks can prove especially devastating.

One of the insidious methods employed by hackers to infiltrate your company's data stores involves exploiting the information associated with the registration of your business website's domain name. How can you shield your organization and ensure the continued safety and security of both corporate and customer data? The answer lies in the implementation of domain privacy protection.

 

What is Domain Privacy + Protection?

A staggering nine out of ten IT professionals believe their company’s personal data is susceptible to cyberattacks and data breaches at any time, no matter how careful they are. To fortify their defenses, many IT decision-makers turn to domain privacy protection—a supplementary layer of security. When individuals register a domain name, their personal data resides within a Whois database, which includes pertinent details like addresses, phone numbers, domain names, and internet protocol (IP) addresses. The regulation of domain name registration and ownership falls under the purview of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).

Based on your domain registration, domain hijackers can infiltrate the Whois database, identify you as a website owner and capture your private information and personal data. Domain privacy protection, a service offered by domain registrars, shields personal data in the Whois records from unauthorized access. Investing in this service ensures the confidentiality of personal information and protects individuals from identity theft.

The Significance of a Whois Lookup

A Whois lookup represents a method for individuals to query the public Whois database in search of specific information concerning a domain name. This information includes the current registrant, registrant details, and 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 then retrieves and displays the corresponding record. Regrettably, some individuals harbor malicious intent when accessing this information, deploying it in online attacks to perpetrate data breaches and gather additional personal information.

Five Compelling Reasons to Embrace Domain Privacy + Protection

To safeguard themselves and their organizations against the prospect of personal information falling into the wrong hands, most domain registrars offer domain privacy protection. Individuals should consider adopting this vital service for the following compelling reasons:

  1. 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. This effectively raises the bar for hackers seeking to exploit this information for illicit purposes.
  2. Mitigation of Scam and Spam: Shielding phone numbers and email information reduces vulnerability to attacks such as email phishing, in which hackers impersonate legitimate entities to trick employees into opening fraudulent emails. Additionally, it curtails unwanted solicitations via calls and emails.
  3. Prevention of Personal Data Sales: Without domain privacy protection, the risk of personal information being harvested and sold to third-party vendors looms large. These vendors, in turn, supply the information to marketers and organizations that inundate individuals with unwanted communications.
  4. Thwarting Competitive Espionage: Competitors may leverage domain name registration data to glean insights into a business's operations. Personal information can be weaponized against an organization by brands seeking to undermine its unique advantages and seize market share.
  5. Preventing Unwanted Internet Traffic: While most companies welcome website visitors, permitting unauthorized access to private data can attract stalkers and hackers with malicious intent, posing a threat to an organization's cybersecurity.

Stay Ahead of Security Threats with Additional Protection

What sets Network Solutions' Domain Privacy + Protection apart is the incorporation of an additional layer of security, ensuring that you remain informed and maintain a proactive stance against nefarious activities.

  • Daily Malware Scanning: Employ advanced security scans that routinely inspect websites for malware, viruses, and other malicious code. Immediate alerts are issued upon detection of any threats, enabling swift remediation.
  • Blacklist Monitoring: Regularly monitor your website's IP address for inclusion on search engine or security blacklists, as blacklisting implies association with malicious activity. Timely notifications of blacklisting incidents empower you to take corrective action.
  • SMS Domain Alerts: Real-time SMS notifications regarding critical domain events keep you informed about suspicious activities, unauthorized domain modifications, or potential security threats.
Domain Privacy

Enjoy Complete Domain Privacy + 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. You can also benefit from our easy to use DIY web builders and trusted web hosting services.

Keep your data safe and secure with our complete selection of website and online services. We’re always here to make your job easier.

 

Products mentioned in this blog post include:

Images: Canva Shutterstock
Screenshot: From Network Solutions Website