Does WHOIS reveal your identity?
 

Does WHOIS reveal your identity?

I just recently purchased a domain, and out of interest entered it into a WHOIS search box. It came back with my full name as the registrant. I sent an email to nominet and they came back with the response.

Quote:

I am afraid that, no you cannot remove your full name from the registry details as it has to identify the registrant, which just a surname or an alias would not do. This is all part of the terms and conditions of holding a .uk domain name.

I said even if it just had my surname, that would be more confidential. Is there anyway around this?

Re: Does WHOIS reveal your identity?
 

I think you can only elect to have your address omitted.

Re: Does WHOIS reveal your identity?
 

Indeed

Gotta keep your name so they know who you are.

.coms have the address on show too.

Re: Does WHOIS reveal your identity?
 

why don't you just have your first initial, would htis not suffice?

ik

Re: Does WHOIS reveal your identity?
 

You can insert what you like as your name - I usually do the domain name and put my name in the address which you can omit.

Re: Does WHOIS reveal your identity?
 

I thought new laws had been passed that meant you had to input genuine information in !!!! At least for .com domains ...

My domian registrant offers as system to withhold your details. You put the third party's company details in the system. The will then pass any post/emails to you...

Will have to check up on that reg about correct details... I am sure it was an email from my registrant.

Re: Does WHOIS reveal your identity?
 

With my .co.uk domain (oinkyboinky.co.uk), I have my personal information hidden, so if people whois my domain they get back the message that SMHarman posted earlier... i think i just opted to tick a box when i registered my domain with 123reg

Re: Does WHOIS reveal your identity?
 

Nice site Oinky :)

SeTi^

Re: Does WHOIS reveal your identity?
 

www.GoDaddy.com also allows you to proxy your whois information.

Re: Does WHOIS reveal your identity?
 

If you post false name & address information, I think it's now part of the agreement you sign up to that they can simply take the domain off you. :disturbd:

Re: Does WHOIS reveal your identity?
 

If you are an 'individual' you can opt-out of displaying your details for .uk domains.

http://www.nominet.org.uk/News/Press...yConcerns.html

IIRC these rules do not apply for US registered domains.

For example:
http://195.66.240.211/cgi-bin/whois....org.uk&x=0&y=0

;)

Re: Does WHOIS reveal your identity?
 

Hi first of all thanks to your replies to this post, I have been away for a few days, hence my delay in replying.

I have asked nominet if I could change to have it show my initial and then surname, but they come back with reply I mentioned in my initial post, namely that I could not change the name I originally purchased the domain name under, unless;
I was transferring the domain to a 3rd Party (which I am not, I still want to own the domain)
The domain was registered in the name of a married couple or business partnership and they had broken down and I wanted to change the name to a sole ownership - (again that doesn't apply to me)

Unfortunatley this was not possible, because when I signed up with 123reg to buy the domain, I had to enter in my Credit Card details, and it's at that point you have to put your Cardholder Name details exactly as it says on the Card. So I think that's how they registered my full name as registrant of the domain.

Who did you register your domain under?? Was it 123reg?? That was the one I bought my domain from. So if anyone did a WHOIS search on your domain what would it say as the Registrant? Thanks.

I did a WHOIS search on oinkyboinky.co.uk and it stated that the Registrant is Vic Casambros - As I got my domain with 123reg, I think they use your full name you give when you register your Credit Card details, on the billing section.

Ahhh - to late for me now, I've allready got the domain, I want from 123reg - and I'm now tied into a 2year lease/contract - wish I had known about it before though. :)

Yes, it does appear that way. Although I don't want to post a false name, not maybe my first Initial and then surname.

Ahh - I see that is if you wanted to have your address ommited from the WHOIS search. I have opted out of that. Incidently, yours came back with Altis - how did you manage to register your first name, or pseudo name as the registrant of the domain, and not have to put your full name in?? Thanks.

Re: Does WHOIS reveal your identity?
 

When i said i opted out... i choose not to have my address revealed in a whois site scan... i weren't bothered with my name being revealed, as if you goto the site, you're bound to see it everywhere. I can understand why people wouldn't want their name displayed to just anyone in a whois scan... I just didn't want people knowing my address and the possibility of being sent crap; as i'm sur emy mum woudln't be inpressed...

Re: Does WHOIS reveal your identity?
 

on 123-reg, there is a button for opt out of whois, did you tick it?

ik

Re: Does WHOIS reveal your identity?
 

Yeah, i think i did... I can't remember wot is on the reg123 control pannel, i havn't really used it in a while.. but i'm sure i did tick it, i can't think howelse i opted out...

Re: Does WHOIS reveal your identity?
 

I just opted out tonight, I checked a lot of whois websites and tehy all failed only one picked me up, and had more info on me than I thought.

ik

Re: Does WHOIS reveal your identity?
 

Fair comment, but a 'whois scan' is against the rules anyway. Provided that you have faith in the way that Nominet treat 'scammers' and maintain your own reasonable level of understanding, then you're not gonna be scammed.

Example

Any traversal of the database could well end up resulting in a similar case. If you've a problem with receiving 'junk mail' then register with these people! Name and address? What they gonna do, come round and rob you? I understand your concerns, but there's a certain point when you just have to accept things the way they are... WHOIS, by its very nature, will contain sensitive data, so look closer at protecting that data than actually preventing it's publication, simple... there really is a very good reason for it, and that reason shouldn't be marred by a few shady chancers!! Gain awareness of organisations such as Nominet, understand what they do and feel safe in the knowledge that not all is bad, there is a light side of the force also! :p:

Re: Does WHOIS reveal your identity?
 

I used 123reg. I can't remember how I set up my account but, looking at my control page now, I suspect that all I did was put Altis down as the company name. If you set up a pukka company domain and don't opt out then only the business name and address are displayed - not your personal name.

Re: Does WHOIS reveal your identity?
 

Ah Okay thanks for the replies.

So in summary, because I have now registered the domain and want to keep it - I should be Happy that I've opted out my address details (of which I am), but will just have to take it on the chin the fact that it reveals my full name, as the registrant?

Maybe there would have been ways around it - as suggested by previous posters above me - If I was still too buy the domain name, but as I've now gone ahead and registered the domain, it's too late.

Maybe i'm just being a little over-cautious, it's in my nature lol :D I suppose if you've got nothing to hide, you shouldn't be too worried.