Does WHOIS reveal your identity?

[ikthius]

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

[El Diablo]

Originally Posted by OinkyBoinky

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...

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!

[altis]

Originally Posted by Pea-Pod

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.

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.

[Pea-Pod]

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 I suppose if you've got nothing to hide, you shouldn't be too worried.