tangor - 4:45 am on Jul 10, 2011 (gmt 0)

@oldandgrumpy (love it!) Welcome to Webmasterworld.

You can private register (but you have to give up all the pertinent details to the registrar no matter what). That gets you a domain name. Suggestion: don't Domain (DNS) with the same company you host with. Check hosting services world wide. I am US (for one site) and host it out of CANADA for example. Look for deals, at service levels desired, worldwide.

But if you have fear of personal exposure of any kind then don't get started at all.

Second, when operating under a DONATIONS scheme, check your local jurisdiction AND any international venues for legal liabilities. One can get into trouble REAL QUICK.

Free hosts are the least secure (and I expect a slew of raspberries from the rank and file in that regard), shared hosts are a bit more secure, and the dedicated (most expensive) approach comes close to offering real security. Pick your budget, your willingness to be exposed, and go from there.