After registering a domain name, sensitive information like your name and physical address are stored in the public WHOIS database.
Because of that, you might receive an increase in spam and unsolicited contacts.
If you want to keep your personal information private when buying a domain name, there are four different ways to do it.
- Using a Domain Privacy Protection Service
- Registering a Domain Name with a Pseudonym
- Using a Proxy or VPN
- Paying with Cryptocurrency
This guide will cover how to buy a domain name anonymously to keep your details safe.
How to Buy a Domain Name Anonymously
If you don’t like the idea of your personal information being available to everyone via the public WHOIS database, you should consider buying a domain name anonymously instead.
You can do this by either using a domain privacy service, a pseudonym, a proxy/VPN, or cryptocurrency payment.
Using a Domain Privacy Service
Most domain registrars offer a private registration service for an additional fee or free. These services will mask your personal details with proxy details on the public WHOIS records.
So when someone does a WHOIS lookup on your domain, they will only see the domain registrar’s contact information instead of your own.
Here is a simple 5-step guide to using domain privacy protection services.
- Choose a Registrar: Select a domain registrar that provides privacy protection services. Some popular domain registrars include Namecheap, GoDaddy, Bluehost, and Hover.
- Activate Privacy During Registration: When registering your domain, look for and select the option that says “Domain Privacy” or “WHOIS Privacy.” Note that this may come with an extra fee.
- Create an Account: Sign up with the registrar using accurate contact information—name, email address, and home address. Fortunately, your contact details will stay confidential for digital paperwork.
- Verify Your Registration: Verify your domain name registration after activating domain privacy. This typically involves clicking a link in an email address sent by the registrar.
- Explore Privacy Settings: Take a quick look at the registrar’s tools. You might find settings to manage your privacy preferences and secure your online space.
TIP: To increase your anonymity, opt for a private email service like ProtonMail or Tuta for your domain registrar account.
Registering a Domain Name with a Pseudonym
When signing up for a domain, you must typically share personal details. However, you can use a pseudonym for privacy. This adds a layer of anonymity, but beware of legal issues.
If your registrar allows it, you may be able to obtain the domain upon request or negotiation.
Otherwise, you can register the domain through a third party, like a lawyer or a domain broker. Next, your third-party contact can anonymously register a domain on your behalf.
However, although this spares you from sharing personal information, remember your contact’s name goes on the WHOIS database.
You can also consider WHOIS privacy protection instead. This can keep your domain safe without sharing unnecessary personal info.
NOTE: Using a pseudonym is considered against the US anti-cybersquatting laws and ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) guidelines.
Using a Proxy or VPN for Domain Registration
Using a proxy can hide your IP address, but a VPN can provide an additional layer of security by encrypting your data and safeguarding your privacy while registering a domain name.
When you use a proxy server or Virtual Private Network (VPN), the registered name holder will be the proxy or VPN instead of you. This will make it more difficult for anyone to track down your identity.
Here are a few methods on how to use a proxy or VPN for domain registration.
- Choose a Service: Pick a reliable proxy or VPN service like NordVPN or ExpressVPN.
- Connect to Server: Connect to a proxy or VPN server. This encrypts your traffic, hiding your real IP and making it seem like you’re browsing from a different place.
- Visit Registrar: Go to the domain registrar’s site and register your domain name.
- Disable Connection: Once you’ve registered, turn off the proxy or VPN connection.
TIP: To remain completely anonymous, even from your domain name registrar, buy your domain name anonymously using a private web browser like Tor while connected to a VPN.
Paying with Cryptocurrency for Anonymity
Payment methods can be tricky, but if you have Bitcoin or another cryptocurrency and your domain registrar accepts it, you can easily use that as your payment information.
The advantage of using cryptocurrency is that it eliminates the need for bank accounts and credit cards, which in turn reduces the traceability of payments back to the domain owner.
Since cryptocurrency is decentralized and doesn’t require user information, you can try this method to buy the domain anonymously.
Follow the steps below to buy domains with crypto payments quickly and easily.
- Choose a domain registrar or marketplace that supports crypto. Namecheap (a domain registrar and web hosting company) and Odys Global (a domain marketplace selling premium-aged domains) are among the best options.
- Set up a crypto wallet. Download a reputable wallet software such as Exodus or Coinbase. Create an account, and choose secure usernames unique to your brand. Also, choose secure passwords.
- Add crypto funds to your wallet. Add funds to your wallet by buying, mining, or earning cryptocurrency through jobs or platforms that pay in Bitcoin or other currencies.
- Purchase a domain name with crypto: When registering a domain, select “cryptocurrency” as the payment method and follow the instructions. Some sites accept crypto on request or ticket.
Legal Considerations for Anonymous Domain Name Registration
It’s important to keep your domain name registration information up-to-date and accurate.
Providing incorrect information or failing to update it promptly can lead to suspension or cancellation of your registration.
You can opt for anonymous or private domain registration if you prefer to hide your personal contact information.
However, choosing this option may require compliance with specific laws and regulations. Make sure you’re aware of any potential sticking points before buying a domain name anonymously.
The Importance of Complying with Laws and Regulations
Choosing a domain name requires attention to trademarks to prevent legal issues. Your domain is an extension of your brand, and using a trademarked term without permission can lead to legal troubles.
While privacy is crucial in anonymous registration, knowing the other legal responsibilities involved when opting for a private domain name registration is equally important.
Here are important laws and regulations you need to follow.
- Anti-Cybersquatting: This prevents registering misleading domain names or using someone else’s trademark. Anonymity makes it challenging to enforce these laws as identifying culprits becomes harder.
- ICANN Guidelines and WHOIS Requirements: The ICANN oversees global domain registration. Your contact information is publicly available in ICANN’s WHOIS database. Anonymous registration can clash with these principles by concealing the identity of the domain owner.
- Disclosure/Contract Requirements: Law enforcement may request domain ownership information in cybercrime or fraud investigations, even with anonymous registration.
Understanding the Risks and Limitations of Anonymity
It is also important to understand the risks and limitations of anonymous domain name registration.
For example, if you lose access to your domain name, you may have difficulty recovering it if you use a pseudonym.
Understanding the risks and limitations of buying a domain name anonymously is crucial for the following reasons.
- Transparency: Identifying the domain owner and their contact information helps ensure transparency.
- Accountability: It allows for contacting domain owners in case of disputes or issues related to their domain names.
- Security: It helps prevent cybercrime, identity theft, and other illegal online activities. It also aids law enforcement investigations by providing information about domain ownership and usage.
Although registering a domain name anonymously has its privacy benefits, you must keep a few things in mind.
Certain domain extensions like Top-level Domains may have specific requirements regarding anonymous domains.
Frequently Asked Questions
Check out this section to discover more about anonymous domain registration.
Can I Really Buy a Domain Name Anonymously?
Yes, you can buy a domain name anonymously by concealing your personal information (name, home address, and email address) from the public WHOIS database.
The methods for private domain registration include using a domain privacy protection service, registering with a pseudonym, using a proxy or VPN, or paying with cryptocurrency.
What Is a Domain Privacy Service?
Domain privacy protection is a service domain name registrars offer to buyers who want to keep their personal information private.
Security features like this help protect website owners’ personal information from hackers who will likely try and exploit security holes in your site by spamming, identity theft, etc.
They’re essential if you want to buy a domain anonymously.
When default users opt for domain privacy, the registrar replaces personal information with a proxy in the WHOIS database.
Some registrars offer free domain name privacy as a bundled service to domain extensions or as an add-on. Ensure you choose a good domain name registrar.
Is It Legal to Register a Domain Name Anonymously?
Yes, it is legal to privately register the domain name of a website through an anonymous domain registration.
This means that your personal information will be hidden from any WHOIS database lookups, as the details of the private registration service will replace them.
However, it’s important to note that this won’t help protect an exploitative domain from legal actions such as being taken to court for slander, scamming, or other issues.
While private data protection is crucial, providing accurate personal information and other potential legal considerations matter—even when you buy a domain anonymously.
How Can I Protect Myself When Registering a Domain Name?
To better protect your personal information from being easily accessible in public WHOIS records, consider using domain privacy services, pseudonyms, VPNs, or cryptocurrency.
Keep these additional tips in mind.
- Choose a Trusted Registrar: Buy a domain from a reputable or ICANN-accredited registrar with clear policies regarding private registration.
- Create Official Accounts With Strong Passwords: Generate secure passwords and consider a password manager. Hackers are skilled at exploiting weak passwords, so use a secure password or phrase.
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication: 2FA adds an extra layer of security to keep your identity secure.
- Check for Numerous Secure Email Services: When you register a domain name, create an independent email address and avoid commercial email services like Gmail or Yahoo.
On top of it all, to anonymously register a domain name, you should also consult with an attorney to make sure that you comply with all applicable laws.
What Are the Risks of Not Registering a Domain Name Anonymously?
Anonymously registering domain names provides added security by protecting against fraud.
Without anonymity, personal information becomes public, risking privacy breaches, unsolicited communication, fraud, cyber-attacks, etc.
However, when you register a domain name anonymously, you must also consider the risks and limitations that come with it.
Conclusion
While every domain needs a legal owner, using any methods explained in this article for anonymous domain registration helps protect your personal information.
This makes it challenging for malicious actors to access your information through a quick WHOIS database look-up.
So, even if your website displays your company name or business details, keeping your private data like name, address, or billing info secured is wise.
