Hide personal WHOIS details with Domain Privacy from hosting.com. Shield your name, email, and address while keeping domain control intact.
What is Domain Privacy?
When you register a domain name, your registrant details (such as name, email, phone number, and address) are stored in the public WHOIS database. Domain Privacy Protection (also known as WHOIS Privacy or Private Registration) is a service that replaces your personal details with generic contact information, helping to protect your privacy from spam, fraud, and unsolicited contact.However, the availability of domain privacy varies depending on the type of domain (TLD) you register.
Domain Privacy for gTLDs (.COM, .NET, .ORG, etc.)
For most other domain extensions (TLDs) such as .com, .net, .org, .info, and many country-code TLDs, Domain Privacy Protection is available. This service helps:
Mask your personal information in public WHOIS databases
Reduce spam and unsolicited contact
Prevent domain-related fraud and identity theft
Please note, there is no domain privacy available for .US domains. Be sure to check your specific domain extension for your eligibility for Domain Privacy
Domain Privacy for .AU Domains
Due to auDA’s policies, domain privacy is not available for .AU domains. This includes all .com.au, .net.au, .org.au, .id.au, and other .au extensions. According to auDA’s licensing rules, the registrant information of a .AU domain must remain publicly accessible to ensure transparency and accountability.
Alternative Privacy Measures for .AU Domains
While you cannot enable WHOIS privacy protection for .AU domains, you can take steps to minimize exposure of personal information:
Use a generic contact name – Instead of displaying an individual’s name (e.g., “John Smith”), you can use a role-based or business title, such as “Domain Manager”.
Provide a business or generic email address – Instead of a personal email (e.g., [email protected]), use something more neutral, like [email protected].
Use a registered business address – If you are concerned about privacy, consider using a business address instead of a home address.
For more details, refer to auDA’s official domain name policies.
How Does Domain Privacy Work?
When enabled, your domain’s WHOIS record is updated to show proxy or registrar-provided contact details instead of your own. For example:
Without Privacy
J_John Smith[email protected]
123 Main St, Sydney_With Privacy ProtectionDomain Privacy Service
[email protected]
PO Box 000, Privacy Shield
Why Use Domain Privacy Protection?
✅ Protect your personal information from public exposure
✅ Reduce spam, robocalls, and phishing attempts
✅ Prevent domain hijacking and unauthorized transfersWhile Domain Privacy is not available for .AU domains due to auDA regulations, you can still take measures to protect your information by using generic contact details. For .COM, .NET, and other domains, Domain Privacy is available and highly recommended for securing your personal data.