When you register a domain name, your personal contact information is added to a public database called WHOIS. This is a global requirement set by ICANN (the organization that oversees domain names), but it can lead to privacy concerns if left unprotected.
1. What is the WHOIS Database?
WHOIS is a public directory that lists the owner of every domain name on the internet. By default, anyone can look up your domain and see:
- Your full name
- Your home or business address
- Your phone number
- Your email address
2. The Risks of Public WHOIS Data
Because the database is public, it is frequently used by automated bots and malicious actors for:
- Spam & Marketing: Telemarketers and spammers harvest email addresses and phone numbers to send unsolicited offers.
- Identity Theft: Scammers use your physical address and contact details to build profiles for fraudulent activities.
- Domain Hijacking: Hackers use your contact details to attempt "social engineering" attacks against registrars to steal domains.
- Fake Invoices: You may receive physical mail that looks like a legitimate domain renewal invoice but is actually a scam from a third party.
3. How ID Protection (Domain Privacy) Works
When you enable ID Protection, we replace your personal contact details in the public WHOIS database with proxy information (usually a generic company name and a privacy-shielded email address).
- You still own the domain: You remain the legal registrant; only the publicly visible data is changed.
- Emails are filtered: Any mail sent to the proxy email address is filtered for spam before being forwarded to your real address.
4. Availability & Exceptions
Most popular domains (like .com, .net, and .org) fully support ID Protection. However, some registries may not support it
How to enable it: If you want to add privacy to an existing domain, see our guide: Adding ID Protection to your domain.
