10 Reasons to Privacy Protect Your Domain

Registering a domain name requires disclosure of many potentially sensitive pieces of personal information, which can be a cause for concern to new site developers. Many domain name registrars offer domain privacy at little to no cost, but deciding whether or not the service is necessary can be confusing. If you’re starting a new website, here are ten of the reasons you might want to consider when looking into domain privacy protections.

1. Spam Prevention – One of the least dangerous, albeit quite irritating, aspects of public registration is the mountain of spam email that accompanies it. Because important information regarding your domain and website will come through the email address you use upon registration, abandoning it to the mountain of spam isn’t an option. Choosing a quality privacy protection service will prevent the distribution of your email address.
2. Guarding Against Identity Theft – Your name, address and phone number will all be readily available through a WHOIS search without privacy protection. This is enough information for the most savvy identity thieves; stolen identities are still a booming business, making it more important than ever to guard your personal information. Make sure your security covers this.
3. Distancing Your Online Persona From Your Real-Life Identity – Many people are drawn to the relative anonymity of the internet, and are able to carve out an online persona that’s quite different from their day-to-day lives. If you’re one of those people and are considering a new website to house your internet self’s interests, privacy protection is the best possible way to prevent connection between the online you and your real-life identity.
4. To Avoid Direct Marketing – When marketing companies obtain your email address, they fill your inbox with spam. If they’re able to turn up your mailing address and phone number through a WHOIS search, the calls and junk mail can be almost impossible to stop. By purchasing privacy protection, you’re basically paying the company to take that burden on for you.
5. Preventing Harassment – Even the most mild-mannered people can find themselves in the midst of a bitter online feud, and it’s not uncommon for someone to take the dispute a bit too far. Harassment that consists of emails and instant messages are unsettling enough; when you start receiving phone calls and snail-mail threats, it can be a nightmare. Shielding your personal information before your site ever goes live is the best way to protect yourself.
6. Guarding Your Personal Phone Number – Allowing your personal phone number to be publicly listed and associated with your domain is tantamount to handing it over to every telemarketing company in the world. Avoiding marketing calls and other unsolicited contact by phone is as simple as choosing quality privacy protection.
7. Renewal Scam Prevention – Domain renewal scams are shockingly common, and can result in big headaches. After obtaining your mailing address from a WHOIS search, scammers send a legitimate-looking invoice for the renewal of your domain name in hopes that you’ll pay the fees.
8. Your Site Doesn’t Sell Anything – Consumers are being advised not to do business with websites that are privately registered to avoid fraud, so privacy protection is best for those who won’t be selling goods or services through their site.
9. Your Opinions Are Controversial – Controversial political or religious views can put site owners in danger of serious harassment. If you’re planning to discuss anything that could be considered inflammatory, privacy protection is a must.
10. Preventing Domain Hijacking – Knowing your personal information can make it easier for hijackers to steal your valuable domain name, so it’s best to keep it out of their hands with privacy protection. Getting a domain back after it’s been stolen can be almost impossible; prevention is essential.

No matter what type of site you are thinking about starting, it is important to make sure your personal information remains private and secure. Make sure you do your research before registering your domain.

Taken From Longhorn Leads