In recent years, purchasing an Internet domain and launching a website have become incredibly easy and affordable, even for people who aren’t computer experts. With just a few clicks, anyone can reserve a URL and purchase hosting for their site; this is usually inexpensive, particularly for savvy shoppers who take advantage of a godaddy promo code or other discount during checkout.
Despite this, some parts of the domain registration process, including decisions about domain privacy, may still seem a little mysterious to neophytes. This article explains the distinction between free privacy options and premium “who is” privacy controls sold by firms such as GoDaddy.com.
Domain registrars are legally obligated to collect personal information about their customers, and to make that information publicly available in databases called “WHOIS” directories. Many people, however, are reluctant to provide this information due to concerns that it will be harvested by identity thieves, scammers and other unscrupulous individuals. Consequently, many prefer to pay an extra fee for “private registration”, by which their chosen domain registrar is given legal ownership of the domain. It is therefore the registrar’s information that’s listed in the WHOIS directory, rather than details about the individual controlling the domain.
Paid domain privacy options usually cost around $10 per year; many companies offer discounts to customers who purchase privacy for several years at a time. Others waive the fee entirely if the customer also purchases or transfers several domains at once. There are also free domain privacy services that claim to provide similar protection, and many people are confused about which type of privacy protection is right for them.
There is no single answer. Do a little research and try to answer this question: does the company providing the privacy protection sell its customers’ contact information to other organizations? Many people are horrified to learn that domain privacy providers list their own information on a site’s WHOIS record, but will sell their clients’ REAL information to other businesses!
Remember that domain privacy firms DO collect your personal information because they’re legally required to do so; however, they are NOT obligated to divulge this information unless compelled by a court order. Some companies are fiercely protective of their customers’ privacy, but others will divulge the true WHOIS information with only a little outside pressure. Investigating this will help you choose wisely.
It’s important to understand that there are also several “do-it-yourself” privacy options for domain owners who don’t want to pay for a private WHOIS listing. Individuals concerned about releasing their name and home address may elect to rent a P.O. Box and register their domains using that contact information. The WHOIS database lists a contact email address for each domain owner; many don’t wish to reveal this information because they don’t want to offer their email up to potential spammers and phishers. The solution to this is simple; set up a separate email address for the WHOIS listing. You can even have the incoming messages forwarded to your regular email inbox, eliminating the need to log into multiple accounts every day.
BIO: Daria Cortese is a freelance writer and technology enthusiast who lives near Philadelphia with her husband and five cats.
Tags: Domain Privacy, Free Domains, Premium DomainsSource : techtalkafrica[dot]com
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