Web Address Registration

Should You Hide Yourself from the WHOIS?

Deepa — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 09:58:01 +0000

When a domain is registered, the name and contact details of the domain holder along with other details like registration date, IP address, nameserver details etc are entered into a database called the WHOIS database. This is a requirement by the ICANN to which all accredited registrars adhere to. The WHOIS database is accessible to all and at all times. This means that anybody can query the WHOIS database and retrieve information on a particular domain name. Such query services are known as WHOIS lookup and many websites offer this as a free service.

A WHOIS lookup is useful when you want to

check the availability of a new domain name
find or contact a particular domain name holder
check the expiry date of a registered domain name
trace the identity of a spammer etc.

The downside of all this (for a domain holder) is that there is a lot of personal information that is available to the public through the WHOIS system. This provides ample opportunity for spamming, identity thefts and the likes. Telemarketers, spammers, stalkers and identity thieves often scour the WHOIS database for potential victims.

Hence, it is only natural that domain name holders opt to hide themselves from the WHOIS lookup. The advantages are manifold.

It reduces unsolicited mails drastically.
It deters spammers and telemarketers.
It provides additional protection against online identity thefts.
It protects personal information such as name, residential/office address, phone numbers.

There could be a number of other reasons (including business) why a domain name holder may not want his details publicly visible in the WHOIS database for every domain he owns. All of these could be valid ones too. All the same, in this age of ever increasing cybercrimes, security considerations alone should be enough to tilt your decision in favor of hiding from the WHOIS.

So, think before you decide. Hiding yourself from this public database is in no way illegal. You can always use a proxy server or opt for private domain registration to conceal yourself from the WHOIS lookup system. Your domain registrar will be able to provide you specific information on how this is can be implemented.

Findout How to Register a Domain Name?

Deepa — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:12:20 +0000

Once you have decided on your domain name, it is best to grab it before someone else does. But how? As you may have realized, you cannot own your domain name just as you own a car or a house. Rather, you can register and use the name for a definite period. Again, you cannot do this directly with ICANN. You will need to go through delegated intermediaries for this purpose. A domain name registrar is a commercial entity that offers registration service to the public. ICANN maintains a complete list of accredited domain name registrars.

As domain names are suffixed with a top-level domain extension, your first step would be to identify registrars offering registration service for your particular choice of top-level domain extension. Surely, you will find many different registrars offering registration for the same TLD. To pick the right one from the lot, you will need to do a bit of spade work. Some of the factors to be considered before reaching a decision are

range of service offered
costs involved
terms and conditions of service
customer support and dependability

The registration of a domain name is usually for a specific number of years ranging from 1 to 10. Very few registrars provide the option of registering the domain for periods above 20 years. Towards the end of the registration term you will need to renew your registration in order to retain the domain name. If not renewed on time the registration expires and the domain name will then be available for anyone to claim.

Verisign which operates the authoritative registries for .com, .net, .name, .tv, and .cc explains domain registration process as follows:

“A registrant (an individual consumer or business owner) requests a domain name from a registrar. The registrar verifies that the domain name has not been registered by anyone else. If it is available, the registrar registers the domain name with the registry on behalf of the registrant. The registry adds the domain name to the registry database and the registrant can begin using it for a Web site, email or other Internet services.”

When a registrar registers a domain name for a customer, the customer’s contact information is entered into the WHOIS database. However, if the customer opts for private domain registration, the registrar replaces the customer details with its own in the database. This protects the customer’s privacy and provides added security against identity thefts. Registrars often provide this as an additional service at an added cost.

Domain locking is yet another security enhancement that prevents unauthorized activity and human error. Locking the domain prevents a third party from transferring your domain to a different registrar without your consent. It also provides protection against accidental changes to name servers which a customer may inadvertently make.

Even if you have coined the most unusual of domain names to advertise your online identity, it becomes truly yours only when you register it with a domain registrar. Moreover with online identity thefts on the rise, private domain registration has become a necessity. This feature along with locked domains goes a long way in providing peace of mind where domain name is concerned.

Important Tips for Domain Registration

Savitha — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:01:49 +0000

Are you a small business desiring an online presence but finding the process quite daunting? The first step in this direction is acquiring a web address or domain name for your online business. Your domain name is an important part of your online business identity and should be chosen with a lot of care.

Choosing a Domain Name

You probably already have a name in mind which could be the name of your existing business. You will now need to check its availability with a domain registrar. For example, if the name of your existing business is Premier Tissues, you can choose premiertissues.com as your domain name. However, it’s highly probable that this name could already be taken. You can try out variations to your business name by adding special characters to it, such as premier_tissues.com, premier-tissue.com, premier1tissues.com etc.

Domain Name Extensions

The next step is adding the extension to your domain name. This would depend on your area of business. If you are looking at a global market, use a .com, .net or .biz extension. A ‘.com’ extension in particular, is very popular and should be your first preference. Only if this is already taken, should you even consider a .net or .biz extension. You can also go for a country specific extension like .uk, .us, .au if your business focus is limited to a country.

Cost of a Domain Name

The cost of a domain name would mainly depend upon the type of domain name and the registration period and would vary between registrars. Domain names can be registered for a period of 1, 2, 5,10 or even 20 years. The base cost that is paid to the Registry is approximately $5 per year. The registrar will add their margin to the base cost depending upon the additional services they provide. A well reputed and established registrar would definitely be more expensive than a newcomer or upcoming registrar.

Rights and Privileges

A domain name cannot be owned by you. It is only licensed to you for a period of time and is subject to certain terms and conditions. Although domain names cannot be sold, they can be transferred to another entity. By registering your domain name, you have exclusive use of the domain name within the registration period. You will also be protected from domain name hijacking, unauthorized transfers and cyber-squatting activities.

Your selected registrar would be able to put you through all the above process with ease. Many web hosting companies also offer domain registration services. Some will also provide free domain name registration for a commitment to host your website. Your business success also depends on your choice of a good registrar.