Hiding registration information

[Raize]

I am wondering what is the best way to register a domain without having my personal information shown. I like to have something there so at least if someone ever needs to contact me in the future they have a way of contacting me but I don't like it visible to anyone who knows how to do a WHOIS. So far I found a site called Domains by Proxy® that would do it but I don't have a lot of information other than that. Any other options?

 

[zenglider]

The other way you can do it is get a P.O. Box and put the address in that. Otherwise you still need to put in a valid phone number.

Zen

 

[arz]

Don't you get "fat fingers" once in a while?
You need to make sure the e-mail address is right, though.

 

[Raize]

gotcha arz

 

[Andrew]

most registrars have a privacy option when you buy: godaddy (which uses domains by proxy), registerfly, namecheap (one year free), moniker, etc.

 

[Michel Z.]

Yeah as Andrew said, most domain providers have this option. Often I also use this option for my domains! I buy domains from http://www.domainsite.com/ at the moment.

 

[z00pedup]

namecheap.com has free whois guards for any domain you register for 1 year

 

[kyleirwin]

1and1 also has free privacy protection... as does ipower.com. I've used both and strongly prefer 1and1.

Even though the privacy protection keeps most of the spammers away from your personal info, Google can see right through it, and any licensed registrar can do the same.

 

[Voodooman]

Never put too much real information on your regestration. Remember that anything that goes on the Internets stays on the Internets for the world to see. So if you don't mind someone doing identy theft or showing up to the front of your door at 3AM, then put your real info in there.

Best is to setup up a corporation or LLC (or even a DBA is ok too). If you're cheap and don't want to do that. Then at very least only use your first intial and your last name. Always put a PO Box as your address.

As for the phone number, there are plenty of call forwading and voicemail options for free on the Internets. Use them, their free! But never give your home or cell phone.

Like you said, just give enough information so that if they need to contact you; that they can. But not enough information so that they can't use it against you.

 

[GeorgeB]

Legally, if there is ever a dispute over domain ownership you WANT all your domain info to be legit.

Businesswise you want a potential buyer who may want to offer you money for your domain to be able to contact you.

 

[Raize]

Good advice voodooman, I've been thinking more about this lately... I wouldnt want to put false information in my whois info because that is a violation of terms which would make it easy for "the other side" to take away my domain. But at the same time, it has to be easy for someone to contact me if they need to. So far domainsbyproxy seems like the most legit and seal tite option, but also a bit expensive. hmm... I think a P.O. Box would work well, and if anyone needs to contact me they can use my email.