Author Topic: Anonymous domain name registration (Read 5993 times)

Charlotte · « **on:** 14 April, 2008, 01:19:46 pm »

Say I wanted to set up a website. Probably a .co.uk but I'm easy as to what the domain name actually is as it's an unusual name and probably won't be taken.

But I don't want anyone doing a whois seacrh and coming up with my name and address. I prefer to remain anonymous - at least to casually interested parties.

Can I do it?

Woofage · « **Reply #1 on:** 14 April, 2008, 01:24:13 pm »

I think you can opt-out of having your address shown if you are a private individual. Make sure you go with a registrar that offers this option.

Adam · « **Reply #2 on:** 14 April, 2008, 01:24:16 pm »

You can opt out, not to have your address shown - see here.

andygates · « **Reply #3 on:** 14 April, 2008, 01:28:28 pm »

That should cover it - but only for "casually interested parties". The Law will still be able to track you down, Barnes!

Charlotte · « **Reply #4 on:** 14 April, 2008, 01:31:28 pm »

Oh I don't want to break the law. I just want to avoid freaky stalkers.

I don't suppose you know if getdotted.co.uk will help me with this, do you?

Jaded · « **Reply #5 on:** 14 April, 2008, 01:38:16 pm »

<stalk>tell me your address and I'll register it for you</stalk>

I have most of my domains anon and they've never checked.

rogerzilla · « **Reply #6 on:** 14 April, 2008, 01:41:22 pm »

Quote from: Charlotte on 14 April, 2008, 01:31:28 pm

Oh I don't want to break the law. I just want to avoid freaky stalkers.

I don't suppose you know if getdotted.co.uk will help me with this, do you?

They certainly used to, although only for .co.uk addresses. AFAIK .com addresses REQUIRE the registrant's address to be displayed.

Greenbank · « **Reply #7 on:** 14 April, 2008, 01:47:39 pm »

Quote from: rogerzilla on 14 April, 2008, 01:41:22 pm

AFAIK .com addresses REQUIRE the registrant's address to be displayed.

Doesn't have to be accurate though

Charlotte · « **Reply #8 on:** 14 April, 2008, 01:50:30 pm »

Roger's on there

Ian H · « **Reply #9 on:** 14 April, 2008, 01:52:01 pm »

I opted out and, as far as I know, I can't be traced by a casual enquirer. You're welcome to see if you can find my details - it'll give you an idea of how anonymous it is.

Charlotte · « **Reply #10 on:** 14 April, 2008, 02:02:33 pm »

Hmmm.

That's encouraging...

Quote

Domain name:
awliscombe.co.uk

Registrant:
Ian Hennessey

Registrant type:
UK Individual

Registrant's address:
The registrant is a non-trading individual who has opted to have their
address omitted from the WHOIS service.

Registrar:
Fasthosts Internet Ltd [Tag = FASTHOSTS]
URL: http://www.fasthosts.co.uk

Relevant dates:
Registered on: 14-Sep-2005
Renewal date: 14-Sep-2009
Last updated: 15-Aug-2007

Registration status:
Registered until renewal date.

Name servers:
ns1.fast-hosts.org
ns2.fast-hosts.org

WHOIS lookup made at 14:02:02 14-Apr-2008

Ian H · « **Reply #11 on:** 14 April, 2008, 02:12:09 pm »

Ooh. I'd forgotten about the 'non-trading' bit.

Adam · « **Reply #12 on:** 14 April, 2008, 02:16:17 pm »

Quote from: Ian H on 14 April, 2008, 01:52:01 pm

I opted out and, as far as I know, I can't be traced by a casual enquirer. You're welcome to see if you can find my details - it'll give you an idea of how anonymous it is.

You're right, you're hidden there, although of course you do have your address on your web site. However MI5 wouldn't think to check that, so your counter-insurgency plans for the South West should be safe.

andygates · « **Reply #13 on:** 14 April, 2008, 02:18:39 pm »

Wish I'd thought of it back when I had deadhotties.com. I actually got hatemail.

Charlotte · « **Reply #14 on:** 14 April, 2008, 02:19:53 pm »

Deadhotties.com?

Mr Gates!

Ian H · « **Reply #15 on:** 14 April, 2008, 02:30:16 pm »

Quote from: Flying Dodo on 14 April, 2008, 02:16:17 pm

However MI5 wouldn't think to check that, so your counter-insurgency plans for the South West should be safe.

Pitchfork Rebellion? Happened some time ago.

Adam · « **Reply #16 on:** 14 April, 2008, 02:35:50 pm »

andygates · « **Reply #17 on:** 14 April, 2008, 02:48:08 pm »

It was a pastiche on sexy-celeb galleries: hottie photos from mags and fansites interspersed with toe-tag shots from the grisly press. The two best were Tupac and Aaliyah. I'll leave it to the reader to decide whether Tupac's Y-shaped autopsy scar was better than Aaliyah's plane crash body bag.

High concept stuff. Honest. And I got an Aaliyah fan write me in high dudgeon!

rogerzilla · « **Reply #18 on:** 14 April, 2008, 02:52:07 pm »

I suppose you hang around rotten.com too

andygates · « **Reply #19 on:** 14 April, 2008, 02:53:14 pm »

That was back in my rotten.com days, yes. I'm so much more mature now.