When somebody uses the WHOIS command I'd rather not have the user be able to see my name, address or phone number. Any advice on this? Can I simply fill in general/unspecific info in the fields I don't want broadcast to the free world?
--Scrubb
Richard Lowe
For the keeper domains I do like this:
Domain one -> Bill Smith
Domain two -> William S.
Domain three -> Kid's Name
Domain four -> Wife's Maiden name
Domain five -> Mr. Smith
Each domain has a different address and email contact too.
I may sound like a crackpot to the uninitiated, but if you are an SEO you can't be too paranoid.
--Scrubb
I don't mind registering with real info if once its registered and my business is set up I can chance it all back to anonymous company info.
Thanks a ton in advance,
--Scrubb
There is nothing illegal about providing false info on your record. There is no law against this. Some would like to have a law but there is no law.
It's certainly not illegal. It is, though, almost certainly a violation of the agreement you made with the registrar when you registered the domain, at least with any ICANN-associated TLD. The Registrar Accreditation Agreement that each registrar has with ICANN requires them to get and maintain "accurate and reliable contact details" for each domain. And, from that agreement...
3.7.7.2 A Registered Name Holder's willful provision of inaccurate or unreliable information, its willful failure promptly to update information provided to Registrar, or its failure to respond for over fifteen calendar days to inquiries by Registrar concerning the accuracy of contact details associated with the Registered Name Holder's registration shall constitute a material breach of the Registered Name Holder-registrar contract and be a basis for cancellation of the Registered Name registration.
So, it's not illegal but in theory at least it could cause you problems. But it would appear that as long as you do maintain a contact point from which you could respond to the 15-day notification even in the worst case scenario you would be able to supply the information if it was needed.
By the way, there's a recent advisory on the topic at the ICANN site: [icann.org...]
a PO Box and an e-mail address that doesn't include any reference to my name.
In fact, it's very common and has been for many years to use "hostmaster@example.com" for the email address, and "Hostmaster" as the contact name. Many companies use a different title, but the point is that there's really no reason you have to use any actual person's name: "Administrator," "President," "Guy in Charge of Domain Names;" any of those would work.
One last question. How hard is to to change info once a domain has been registered?
Depends on your registrar. In most cases it's very easy, and takes effect almost immediately.
Additional information from their FAQ: "As well ICANN, the governing body of domain names requires you enter valid information into the contact information for your domain name. If you enter false information your domain name may be canceled."
One article is [domainguru.com...]
Hope that's helpful.
Richard Lowe
The recourse if you don't provide it is also a contractual one: the registrar can cancel your registration and release your domain name. The recourse is not a legal one; you won't go to jail, be fined, or have to appear in court.
(they got the name back)
is that a wise move? would you trust a company that hides it's contact details?
you may have a legal obligation to display genuine business contact details on your site - i know this applies to uk and europe but not sure about elsewhere in the world - and if so, why hide contact details on your domain if you have to give them on your site?
I'd only quibble, Rich, that "a material breach" of a contractual agreement and "required by law" aren't the same thing. You have a contractual obligation to provide that information; not a legal obligation.
AFAIK, in most countries a contractual obligation is a legal obligation (unless it goes against a law, of course).
Allen
Richard LOwe
--Scrubb
far better, IMO, to be open and honest ...
you could always use a business mailing address so that you get any mail sent to the company without risking someone knocking at your door, and you could use a phone to voicemail service as the phone number. looks less dodgy.
as it happens, i've not had anyone knocking on my door as a result of giving my postal address on my sites and over 30 of my domains or for being listed as the technical contact for over 500 others, and that's in 3 years or so of business. i see little or no risk in leaving your real address in there unless you're doing something illegal.
Trust is established with professionalism in design, content and strategic relationships (ie. BBBonline, Verisign, Bizrate) not from a name in a WhoIs lookup.
If a corporation is registered in Las Vegas, Nevada; the corporation information is confidential. Nobody can see who owns it or any other information about the company. All you have to do is rent or lease a business suite from a managed "shared" office space, or get a Las Vegas PO Box and have that box forwarded to your real physical address.
Which would make me wary of doing business with any corporation registered in Las Vegas, Nevada.
as it happens, i've not had anyone knocking on my door as a result of giving my postal address on my sites and over 30 of my domains or for being listed as the technical contact for over 500 others, and that's in 3 years or so of business. i see little or no risk in leaving your real address in there unless you're doing something illegal.
how about a domain tool kit? lol
[web.archive.org...]
Richard Lowe
