Do I Need Domain Name Privacy Protection and WHOIS Privacy Service? 

Domain name privacy protection is an option for web hosts and registrars. It prevents spamming and exposure of a domain’s owners’ personal info. It’s a paid add-on. Advocates say it’s essential to stop the abuse of email addresses and other publicly available WHOIS data.

So, do I need domain protection? Domain privacy protection can provide a sense of security. But, due to new privacy laws, it’s now optional for your small or mid-sized business or professional website.

How domain privacy protection works

When you buy a domain, you must provide contact info. This includes your name, organization, address, phone number and email. This info, along with registration dates, IP addresses and the domain registrar, becomes public on WHOIS 

ICANN mandates this to confirm and verify domain ownership. However, having this data available publicly can expose you to unwanted risks. 

Domain privacy protection, a service from registrars and hosts, helps reduce this risk. It hides your personal details and shows the provider’s info. This protects your privacy and meets ICANN’s requirements. 

What is the WHOIS database? 

The WHOIS database, short for “Who is responsible for this domain name,” is a public directory. It holds essential information about every registered domain on the internet. ICANN manages this database. It verifies and records each domain’s registration details. 

Domain registration companies use WHOIS. It helps customers check if a domain name is available. If it is already taken, they can also see the contact details of the current owner to discuss potential purchase options. 

The WHOIS directory lists registered domain names. It also has details about each domain’s owner, such as: 

• Name 
• Physical address 
• Email address 
• Phone number  

5 Reasons to get domain privacy protection 

Here’s why adding domain privacy protection to your website can be beneficial. It boosts website performance, strengthens security and streamlines your email communications. 

Protect your personal information 

When you register a domain, you must provide accurate contact details to establish legal ownership. ICANN uses this information to identify you as the official owner of the domain. 

WHOIS records are public. Anyone can access this data. Cybercriminals may misuse it for harmful activities, risking your privacy. 

Domain privacy protection hides your personal details. It reduces the risk of wrong people accessing your information. 

Cut down on spam emails 

Many marketers scan WHOIS records to find emails. They then send spam. These spam emails can contain malware, like viruses or spyware. They pose a risk to your security. 

Enabling domain privacy protection hides your real email. It replaces it with a masked version managed by your registrar. This keeps your inbox spam-free. It also prevents third parties from selling your email without your consent. 

Avoid scam phone calls 

The WHOIS directory lists email addresses and phone numbers. It’s an easy target for telemarketers to gather contacts. This can lead to a flood of unwanted marketing and sales calls. 

Scammers may pose as domain renewal services when your registration nears expiration. It’s a common trick to get your personal information. Always verify directly with your registrar before sharing details over the phone. 

WHOIS protection keeps your contact info, including your phone number, private. This helps block scammers from accessing your details. 

Guard against domain theft 

Domain theft occurs when someone changes your domain’s registration details without permission. They often use personal data to access your email or registrar accounts. Hackers can hijack your site. They may create fake pages to trick your visitors. 

Adding domain privacy protection gives you an extra layer of defense. It helps prevent cybercriminals from taking over your domain. It also protects your finances and reputation. This is true when used with strong passwords and two-factor authentication. 

Reduce unwanted traffic 

Unwanted traffic, like spam emails and malicious bots, can be a real problem. Bots can launch DDoS attacks or spam your site with fake signups. This can strain resources and cause downtime. 

Domain privacy protection keeps your data private. It reduces spam and improves real visitors’ experiences. This boosts your brand’s reliability. 

How to activate domain privacy on Bluehost 

Bluehost offers domain privacy and protection through its hosting plans and TLD domain registrations. This service helps keep your info private. It masks your contact details in the public WHOIS database. Without privacy protection, your info could be exposed. This raises the risk of spam, scams and identity theft. 

Bluehost’s Domain Privacy and Protection replaces your details in the WHOIS listing. It keeps your data private while ensuring you still own your domain. 

Let’s check out the steps to purchase domain privacy protection and activate it. 

How to purchase domain privacy 

To activate Domain Privacy for your domain, you’ll first need to purchase it. Here’s how: 

1. Log in to your Bluehost Account Manager. 
2. In the left-side menu, click on the “Domain Name” tab. 

3. Select the domain name you want to update. 
4. In the Domain Overview section, click “Turn on” to activate privacy. Alternatively, scroll down to the “Domain Contacts” section and select “Turn On” under Private Registration. 
5. Complete the payment to finalize your purchase. 

How to enable domain privacy and protection 

Domain privacy allows you to mask your personal information in the ICANN directory with general contact details. Here’s how to enable it: 

1. Log into your Bluehost Account Manager. 
2. In the left-hand menu, select the “Domain Name” tab. 
3. Choose the domain you want to update. 
4. In the Domain Overview section, click “Turn on” to activate privacy. 

Alternatively, scroll down to the “Domain Contacts” section. Then, click “Turn On” under Domain Privacy + Protection. 

Once completed, your domain privacy is successfully enabled. 

Conclusion 

Domain privacy is vital for website owners and business email users. It keeps their personal information out of the public WHOIS directory. Domain privacy protection hides your contact details. It replaces them with anonymous info. It helps shield your sensitive data, like your name and email. 

The benefits are many. It includes reducing spam and unwanted traffic. It also protects your identity and lowers hacking, so resuscitating this service is simple. With providers like Bluehost, you can use it when you host your site with them. 

We hope this article has clarified the value of domain privacy protection. If you have more questions, check out the FAQs below or leave a comment.

Domain privacy FAQs