Should My WHOIS Be Private? Is a Public WHOIS Dangerous?

Is it dangerous to have a public WHOIS?

Yes, having a public WHOIS can carry certain risks. By having access to a domain’s ownership information, anyone can find out who owns the domain, who administers it, and who the technical contact is, as well as the names and email addresses of those contacts. In addition, information about the domain can be obtained, such as its status, the date it was registered, and when it expires.

With this information, cybercriminals can carry out phishing attacks, send spam, or even attempt to transfer or steal the domain. In fact, there have been cases where criminals have used WHOIS data to obtain personal information about domain owners.

Could someone steal my domain just by knowing my public WHOIS details?

No. In general, to transfer a domain you need more than just knowing the owner’s details. However, it’s fair to say that a domain with private WHOIS offers an additional layer of security.

To transfer a domain, you need to know the transfer code, set the domain to an active state, and finally approve the transfer. All of these are processes and pieces of data managed exclusively by the domain’s administrator. Additionally, some domain registrars may require additional verification of the domain owner’s identity before processing a transfer request.

However, it’s important to mention that the fact that public WHOIS data is available online can make it easier for cybercriminals to obtain personal information about the domain owner, which could be used in an identity theft attempt.

That’s why, if you’re concerned about the privacy and security of your personal data, we recommend that you sign up for the private WHOIS service. When you sign up for this service, your personal data is kept hidden in the public WHOIS, reducing the risk of cyberattacks and identity theft.

It’s important to note that, although the email address you provide when registering your domain is a key piece of information, its security also depends on choosing a strong password and properly protecting your email account.

In summary, although it’s unlikely that someone could steal your domain just by knowing your public WHOIS details, signing up for the private WHOIS service can add an additional layer of security and privacy for your personal data. If you need help with any aspect of miHosting’s hosting service, don’t hesitate to contact our technical support team.

Should I sign up for the private WHOIS service?

This is a personal decision that depends on the needs and preferences of each customer. Some customers may consider it essential to protect the privacy and security of their personal data, while others may not see the need for it.

It’s important to keep in mind that, by keeping the domain’s contact and ownership data private, the risk is reduced of malicious third parties obtaining personal information and using it in an identity theft attempt or cyberattack.

If you’d like to sign up for the private WHOIS service, please note that it may carry an additional cost. At miHosting, we offer the option to sign up for the private WHOIS service to keep your personal data hidden in the public WHOIS.

After setting the domain to private, will it still work normally?

Yes. Once you sign up for the private WHOIS service and your personal data is hidden in the public WHOIS, your domain will continue to work normally. There will be no change in the management and administration of the domain, and you will remain the owner and responsible for everything that happens with it.

It’s important to keep in mind that the private WHOIS service only hides your personal data in the public WHOIS and does not affect the domain’s functionality or any associated web hosting services.

How do I sign up for the private WHOIS service?

If you already have the registration with miHosting, you can sign up for it from Private WHOIS.

If your domain isn’t registered with miHosting yet, you would first need to transfer the domain to us. Once transferred, you’ll be able to sign up for the private WHOIS service.