whois privacy

popupbloke · Sep 15, 2011

Hi folks.

Could anyone tell me if it is desirable to opt for whois privacy if you've nothing to hide?
I would think it better to be public in case of offers from buyers, but since privacy is free with some registrars I wondered if it is a usefull business practice for some domainers appart from hiding their identity for dodgy domains they've registered.

OH. if you do opt for it, can you opt back in??

Thanks in advance.
Dave. Popupbloke.

Skinner · Sep 15, 2011

Its always free for .co.uk domains, any company who charges for it, ditch em. You can opt back in, as you wish. However if you are making any revenue from a site, nominet can remove you ability to opt out.

I opt out some of my names which are NOT for sale, or are personal use, otherwise I add a line to my address so its like "For Sale: [email protected], Address Here", which seems to be an acceptable practice.

accelerator · Sep 15, 2011

If you are regging domains to sell them on, I would say it is better to show your details as then the buyer can see who they are dealing with.

For .uk domains, my understanding is that if you are running the domain for business purposes, i.e. generating revenue, then strictly speaking you should not use address Opt Out, although this rule is not always adhered to.

Rgds

Aaron Clifford · Sep 15, 2011

From my understanding you can only choose to opt out of the WHOIS if you are a non-trading individual. Anyone that actually buys and sells names must have a full WHOIS. (Didn't see accelerators post!)

Bailey · Sep 15, 2011

I actually believe it looks a little bit suss when the domain is of obvious commercial value and has 'Privacy'. I'd like to see Nominet include contact email in the registration details (perhaps as an option).

500+ .com domains with my email tells me spamming is not a problem

Edwin · Sep 15, 2011

Bailey said:
I actually believe it looks a little bit suss when the domain is of obvious commercial value and has 'Privacy'. I'd like to see Nominet include contact email in the registration details (perhaps as an option).

500+ .com domains with my email tells me spamming is not a problem

Or set up a system like some of the .jp registrars have, of providing a "contact form" link in the Whois, with the email address fully concealed behind it. That way, people could contact the owner of a domain name, but any spam sent would have to be on a custom, 1-by-1 basis since their email address couldn't be harvested.

Bailey · Sep 15, 2011

I'll look into thanks Edwin.

PS: Looking at your post timestamp +1min 50 seconds from my posting - your not into mind reading are you ?

Edwin · Sep 15, 2011

Bailey said:
I'll look into thanks Edwin.

PS: Looking at your post timestamp +1min 50 seconds from my posting - your not into mind reading are you ?

No, I just happened to be reading the thread a couple of seconds after you posted your reply...

Edwin · Sep 15, 2011

invincible said:
Are you absolutely sure you're not a mind reader and that it wasn't simply that you happened to be reading this thread a couple of seconds after Bailey posted his reply?

Oops. Sometimes I do tend to take things a little too literally. Like when I was on a road trip with a friend, and came up with this: "Hey! There's a dinosaur in that field over there. But it's only a model..."

Bailey · Sep 15, 2011

invincible said:
Are you absolutely sure you're not a mind reader and that it wasn't simply that you happened to be reading this thread a couple of seconds after Bailey posted his reply?

It was meant as a humorous quip - but then I remembered Humour isn't normally part of your make-up.

Whats changed ?

fish · Sep 15, 2011

Edwin said:
Oops. Sometimes I do tend to take things a little too literally. Like when I was on a road trip with a friend, and came up with this: "Hey! There's a dinosaur in that field over there. But it's only a model..."

That wasn't going south on the M5 around Bridgwater by any chance?