When you register a domain name, before the final checkout, you will find “Domain Privacy protection” or “ID Protection” as an add-on option. What is that thing? 

  To understand what ilk of “privacy” does this provide from whom to whom, we will first have to understand the WHOIS directory.

What is WHOIS?

WHOIS, Pronounced – Who is, is a query and response protocol. When you register a domain name, all your details are stored in the WHOIS database/directory. This information is accessible to the public.  In the WHOIS search box, you can enter the domain name of any live website or even a parked domain. Whois provides information on domain names and IP addresses. So, WHOIS tells us who is behind the domain name.  For example, on the WHOIS search box at whois.com, I entered – microsoft.com.  I got the following results: Upon scrolling further: Source: www.whois.com Well, for a tech-hulk like Microsoft, it wouldn’t harm much if anybody found out its contact details. But, for a budding startup, it might not be such a good idea. 

What Is Domain Privacy Protection?

  Source: www.qualispace.com Domain ID Protection or Domain Privacy Protection conceals this information from the public. Privacy Protection feature hides the key points such as your address, email id, contact number in WHOIS. 

Why Do We Need Domain Privacy Protection?

On account of the ICANN policies, we can not register a domain name without providing certain information. But, making sure that this information doesn’t reach unsolicited people is in our hands.  Though Domain Privacy Protection is optional, here are some reasons why we need it: 

1.   To reduce spam and scams; To prevent the malice

Many people have had this experience. When they bought a domain without buying its ID protection, they soon started getting marketing calls and emails from web designing agencies, hosting companies, etc. Many of these calls were realized to be a scam.  Malicious entities on the internet such as hackers and fraudsters can use your personal information to cause you harm.  Privacy protection not only helps you to keep your information obscured but also shuns unwanted internet traffic. In our spam folder, we see many emails from the websites that we have never visited. How do those people get our email ids?  Answer:- Through all such resources, where we submit our information.    As your private information is openly visible and accessible to the public, your competitors can access it too. They can either use it against you or widen their marketing outreach using the data. 

2.   To stop your data from getting sold

As Web 5.0 is acquiring its shape, terms such as “Data Broking” and “Data Selling” have gained a lot of importance. Data brokers collect the public information, (in our case, our information available on WHOIS), and sell it to other organizations. This information includes your name, contact number, your residential address, etc. They also know what type of industry you are into from the domain name you have just brought.  This information converts “your record” into a “marketing lead” for organizations all around the world. Therefore, data brokers can earn a buck by selling your information as a lead. 

3.   To prevent domain name hijacking

Domain hijacking or domain theft is yet another common cybercrime.  Imagine – you wake up one morning and see that your website, professional email, and other web-services are all down. Your registrar support shows no issue with the server.  Then, you find out that your domain is not yours anymore! It has been hacked and transferred to some other registrar. Your domain now belongs to some other person. Hackers hacked your email and did their deed.  Usually, such stolen domain names are later sold on the dark web, or in the regular market by luring customers in with a cheap discount offer.      All this could have been prevented if only the sensitive private information was protected. 

ConnectReseller’s Free Domain Privacy Protection

ConnectReseller values nothing more than the security and privacy of the customer data. Therefore, we offer free Domain Privacy Protection with every domain.  If you have brought your domain name from ConnectReseller, you can sleep peacefully. If not, check with your registrar again. Without privacy protection, you’re leaving yourself wide open for the scammers. It is worth that small price tag. It can save a lot of bucks down the road.