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 Protect your online identity: Network Solutions Domain Privacy + Protection
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Protect your online identity: Network Solutions Domain Privacy + Protection

Your personal information and domain name are safeguarded thanks to the useful set of features included in Network Solutions Domain Privacy + Protection. Your personal contact information is hidden from the WHOIS database, shielding you from third-party spammers, identity thieves, hackers, and other bad guys.

Monitoring blacklists and virus scanning of your website also protects the reputation of your domain name. Knowing that your website is routinely tested for viruses and that your domain is not included on any blacklists will give you peace of mind.

In this article, we will discuss:

What is Network Solutions Domain Privacy + Protection, and is it right for you?

Network Solutions Domain Privacy + Protection works by replacing the domain registrant's mandatory ICANN contact information—including name, address, phone number, and email—with proxy information in the public WHOIS database to make sure compliance while keeping the owner protected from spam, identity theft, and hackers. When registering a domain, this service is important for any individual or business, as it keeps online anonymity, protects your sensitive data from phishing, and unauthorized domain transfers. It also reduces the risk of unsolicited third-party solicitations. Using our Domain Privacy + Protection will provide a critical security layer for those prioritizing digital privacy and domain reputation management.

 

How to purchase Domain Privacy + Protection within your Network Solutions account manager

Follow the steps below on how to purchase Domain Privacy + Protection for your domain name.

  1. Log in to your account manager via https://www.networksolutions.com/my-account/login.
  2. On the left side of the page, select Domains.

    Network Solutions account manager, Domains Tab
     
  3. If you have multiple domains, you will see a list of your domain names. If you don’t have Domain Privacy + Protection on any domains, you will see a link that you can click to purchase Privacy + Protection.

    Account Manager showing Domains list if account has multiple domains
     
  4. If you only have one domain name, click the Turn on button under Privacy is off.

    Manage Domain Page, Turning on Privacy
     
  5. After clicking either link, you will see a pop-up message. Confirm the payment details are correct. Then, click Buy Now.

    Purchase Domain Privacy + Protection pop up window

 

How to turn Domain Privacy + Protection on and off within your Network Solutions account manager

Making sure that domain privacy is enabled is the first thing you should do. Your information will be hidden from the public WHOIS database by domain privacy, protecting you from spammers, hackers, and other threats.

To see how your information appears publicly on the WHOIS database, visit the Domain Contact preview area. You can read your personal information in the preview if privacy is disabled.

Domain management page, Private Registration section
 

There may be times when you need to turn off Domain Privacy temporarily. If you turn privacy off, the information shown under the Domain Contacts section of the Domain Contacts card will be the information seen in the public-facing WHOIS database.

Visit How to manage my domain contacts or WHOIS information? for more information.

 

SMS alerts

When something on your domain changes that could impact your website, you want to know immediately. SMS alerts ensure your domain is always secure, and you are aware anytime one of the following critical changes is made.

  • The domain lock is disabled.
  • Domain privacy is turned on or off.
  • Domain contact information has changed.
  • DNS change.
  • You can customize your SMS domain alerts to receive notifications about the specific changes that you want to be notified about. 

  1. Click Domains in the left navigation menu of your account.

    Network Solutions account manager, Domains Tab
     
  2. Choose the domain name you want to manage. If you only have one domain name, you will skip this step and be taken straight to the Domain Details page.
  3. Scroll down to the Domain Security section.

    Domain Security, Turned off SMS alerts
     
  4. If you don’t have a trusted phone set up, you will be prompted to do so now. Click Setup next to SMS Security Alerts. If you have a trusted phone number, click Manage, then skip to step 8.

    Setup Domain Privacy + Protection pop up window
     
  5. Click continue to begin.
  6. Add the trusted phone number and click Next.

    Add Your Trusted Phone pop up window
     
  7. You will be sent a verification code to confirm it is your phone number. Enter the code, then click Verify.

    Verify Your Phone pop up window
     
  8. Now, you will see the SMS setup page with all the options checked. We strongly recommend keeping the settings checked, or you can uncheck any notifications you don’t want to receive. Click save to complete the SMS setup.

    SMS Security Alert Settings pop up window

You have turned on SMS Alerts.

If you want to change from your trusted phone number to a custom one, see the section titled Change Phone Number for SMS Alerts.

  1. Scroll down to the Domain Security section.
  2. Click Manage next to SMS Security Alerts.

    Domain Security, Manage button
     
  3. Click Change next to your phone number.

    SMS Security Alert Settings, Change button
     
  4. To add or change your custom phone number, add the new phone number and click Next.

    Add Custom Phone pop up window
     
  5. On the next screen, enter the code you received on your phone and click Verify.

    Verify Your New Trusted Phone pop up window
     
  6. You will see the SMS setup page with all the options checked. Click Save to complete the SMS setup.

    SMS Security Alert Settings after changing phone number pop up window

You have updated the phone number for SMS Alerts.

  1. Scroll down to the Domain Security section.
  2. Click the Turn Off button.

    Domain Security section, Turn Off button
     
  3. You will see a pop-up confirming the change.

    Successfully turned SMS alerts off

You have turned off SMS alerts.

 

Blacklist and malware monitoring

Domain Privacy + Protection also ensures that your domain reputation is protected through blacklist monitoring and malware scanning of your website. If your website is infected with malware or is added to a blacklist, this can negatively impact your website's performance and reputation, causing you to lose potential customers and revenue.

Visit Getting started with SiteLock for more information.
 SiteLock section of Domain Security tab
 

Review

Understand how Network Solutions Domain Privacy + Protection protects your personal information and domain name.

  • Protection from spam and identity theft: Domain Privacy + Protection hides your domain contact details (name, address, phone, email) from the WHOIS database, shielding you from spammers and potential identity theft.
  • Enhanced security: It goes beyond privacy, offering additional security measures like monitoring blacklists and scanning your website for malware. This protects your domain reputation and prevents potential harm.
  • Benefits for everyone: Anyone who registers a domain can benefit from Domain Privacy + Protection, especially those who value online anonymity or want to avoid unwanted solicitations.
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