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What is the difference between Private and Public Domain Registration?
There are two types of domain registration: private and public. Private domain registration is when a registrant’s contact information is kept hidden from the public WHOIS database, while public domain registration is when a registrant’s contact information is listed in the WHOIS database.
Every domain is registered in a database when purchased. This database is public and not private, so anybody can access your domain name registration details. However, when you register your domain with a registrar who offers WHOIS domain registration, that information is now private.
With Private Domain Registration, your domain registrar hides your personal information from the public and usually uses their contact information instead.
This “WHOIS Private Domain Registration” allows you to remain anonymous, thus increasing the privacy and security of your site. Many Domain Name Registrars even offer WHOIS privacy protection for free when you use their service to register your domain with them.
Many people choose to register their domains privately in order to protect their personal information from being spammed or harvested by marketers.
However, private registration can also make it more difficult for people to get in touch with the domain owner if they need to.
Whether you choose to register your domain privately or publicly is up to you, but there are some things to keep in mind before making your decision.
How does private domain registration work?
When you register a domain name, you are required to provide contact information such as your name, address, phone number, and email address.
This information is made available to the public through the WHOIS database. With private domain registration, your personal information is replaced with contact information from your domain registrar, which acts as a middleman between you and the public.
By using private domain registration, your personal information is hidden from the WHOIS database and is only available to people who know how to contact your registrar and never you directly.
However, if that “private domain registrar” is served a DMCA notice by US authorities, the UK or other countries equivalent authorities, they must release your personal information upon demand. This all of course depends on where the domain registrar is registered to do business, the location of their web servers etc.
Whereas using a private domain registrar in say, an “offshore” location like Iceland, they are under no obligation since they are not under their jurisdictions, nor have treaty or other interjurisdictional agreements to oblige.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Private vs Public Domain Registration.
As you will see, there are both benefits and drawbacks to private domain registration. You will need to weigh these factors carefully before deciding whether or not to register your domain name privately.
When you use public domain registration and register a domain name, your personal information is typically made public. This includes your name, address, and phone number.
Whereas with private registration, your contact information will be shielded from WHOIS databases. This means that anyone who tries to look up your information will not be able to find it.
Private registration can also help protect you from spam and identity theft. Since your contact information is not publicly available, spammers will not be able to add you to their lists.
And, if someone tries to steal your identity, they will have a much harder time doing so if your information is not easily accessible.
Benefits of Private Domain Registration.
There are quite a few important reasons why webmasters choose to register their domains privately. The two most important ones are:
- Increased Security: When you register your domain name privately, your personal information is hidden from public view. This can help protect you from identity theft and other online scams.
- Improved Privacy: Private domain registration also keeps your contact information hidden from prying eyes. This can be valuable for people who are concerned about their online privacy.
Drawbacks of Private Domain Registration.
Of course, there are also some drawbacks to private registration. One of the biggest is that it can be more expensive than registering your domain name publicly.
In addition, if you ever need to transfer your domain name to another registrar, you may have to jump through a few extra hoops since your contact information is not readily available.
- Increased Cost: Private domain registration typically costs more than public registration. This is because you are paying for the added security and privacy features.
- Less Flexibility: Private domain registration can also make it more difficult to transfer your domain name to another registrar. This is because you will need to provide the new registrar with your personal information in order to complete the transfer.
So, should you register your domain name privately? That depends on your personal preferences and needs.
If you value privacy and security, then private registration may be the best option for you.
However, if you’re on a budget or plan to transfer your domain name in the future, public registration may be a better choice.
Can you anonymously register a domain?
Yes, you can register a domain anonymously. This can be done by using a proxy service or by using a privacy-protecting registrar.
However, it is important to note that most registrars will require you to provide some personal information in order to complete the registration process.
Additionally, your anonymity may be compromised if you use a proxy service that is not completely reliable.
The best way to register your domain anonymously would be through an Offshore Domain Registrar and Offshore Host. In fact, registering your domain privately is just half the battle. To truly get online privacy you really need offshore hosting as well as email protection as well.
Check out Orangewebsite, based in Iceland. They have one of the best reputations in the offshore domain registration and hosting industry.
They also offer very competitive pricing which is almost on par with some of the more mainstream domain registrars and web hosting companies, only they provide much better privacy protections and service.
In fact, Iceland’s parliament updated its constitution to include modern internet privacy and freedom of speech legislation.
Private Domain Registration, conclusions.
Private domain registration is a great way to protect your personal information when you register a domain name.
By keeping your contact information out of the public WHOIS database, you can prevent spammers and scammers from getting your email address or phone number.
You can also avoid having your contact information sold to marketing companies.
Of course, private domain registration isn’t perfect. Your information will still be available to the registrar and the government.
And if you forget to renew your private registration, your contact information will become public again.
Overall, though, private domain registration is a valuable tool for protecting your privacy online.
If you’re concerned about your personal information being exposed, it’s worth the extra cost.
