Does WHOIS reveal your identity?

Pea-Pod · 08-12-2004, 17:03

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?

etccarmageddon · 08-12-2004, 17:14

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

SMHarman · 08-12-2004, 17:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by etccarmageddon

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

Indeed

Quote:

THE REGISTRANT IS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS ELECTED TO HAVE THEIR ADDRESS OMITTED FROM THE WHOIS DATABASE

Gotta keep your name so they know who you are.

.coms have the address on show too.

ikthius · 08-12-2004, 17:27

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

ik

Tricky · 08-12-2004, 20:53

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.

Stuartbe · 08-12-2004, 20:57

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.

OinkyBoinky · 08-12-2004, 21:31

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

Seti · 09-12-2004, 02:56

Nice site Oinky

SeTi^

punky · 09-12-2004, 04:57

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

**Paul** · 09-12-2004, 10:47

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.

altis · 09-12-2004, 10:59

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

Pea-Pod · 21-12-2004, 21:14

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by ikthius

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

ik

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)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tricky

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.

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuartbe

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.

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by OinkyBoinky

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

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by punky

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

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul M

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.

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by altis

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

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.

OinkyBoinky · 21-12-2004, 21:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pea-Pod

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.

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...

ikthius · 21-12-2004, 22:06

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

ik

OinkyBoinky · 21-12-2004, 22:19

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...