This site utilizes JavaScript to function correctly. Looks like it's disabled on your browser. Please enable it for your best experience.

For instructions on enabling JavaScript, click here

Skip to main content

Just Host Web Hosting Help

What Is Domain Privacy Protection? GDPR Domain Masking and Whois Privacy

Domain Security

Domain Privacy + Protection

Every domain name has public information tied to it about the owner of the domain. The name, email address, phone number, and even home address of the owner is publicly available online in the WHOIS database. The rules and laws surrounding domain names require every domain name owner to disclose their contact information. But most people wouldn't want their personal contact information available to the public where scammers, hackers, and anyone else can see it. This is what makes Domain Privacy so useful. Domain Privacy is a service Just Host offers that will hide your personal contact information from the public WHOIS database and replace it with generic Just Host contact information instead. You are still the owner of the domain name, but your personal contact information can be kept safe.

Domain Privacy + Protection protects you from:

  1. Spam and other unsolicited email.
  2. Unwanted phone calls and postal mail.
  3. Identity theft.
  4. Fraudulent domain transfers.
  5. Competitors being able to look up which domains you own.
  6. Malware and SEO blacklists 
  7. Receive SMS notifications regarding important changes to your domain

GDPR Domain Masking

While European customer's contact details will be masked publicly by default due to GDPR, this means also that you will not know instantly when someone is looking to contact about the domain in question. Keeping Domain Privacy on the domain will allow any inquiries to be forwarded to you. Domain Privacy adds an additional layer of protection on top for those that are protected through GDPR law. Further details regarding this service can be found in our Domain Registration Agreement.

WHOIS Domain Privacy Availability

Not all domain extensions (TLDs) are allowed to have a private WHOIS. Each Registry sets its own rules regarding this. Most ccTLD's (country code top-level domains) do not actually allow WHOIS protection. In March 2005, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) said that all owners of .us domains will not have the option of keeping their information private, and that information must be made public.

Enable Domain Privacy

  1. Log in to your control panel.
  2. Choose Domains on the left navigation.
  3. Choose manage on the domain you want to enable this feature on.
  4. On the domain summary page, enable the Domain Privacy feature by pressing clicking the toggle (If you have not purchased it already, you will be able to purchase it here.)
    1. You can also enable Malware Scans and SMS Notifications in the widget. These features are included with Domain Privacy + Protection - after you enable it a new Settings tab will appear on the domain management page
  5. All Set! Your domain now has privacy enabled. 

FAQs

Why do I need to make my domain registration information private?

The personal information used to register domains is recorded in the international ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers). Fortunately, new laws are already helping protect your personal information. Domain Privacy + Protection adds an additional layer of privacy.

How does Domain Privacy + Protect protect my personal information?

Domain Privacy + Protect masks any personal information displayed on the ICANN directory with generic contact information.

How does Malware Scanner work?

Once installed, Malware Scanner automatically checks your site every 24 hours detecting malware and notifying you about it before it causes problems.

What kind of notifications will I receive about my domain?

You decide what critical actions you want to be notified about, and we’ll send you SMS notifications to keep you updated. That way you’ll know if there are any unauthorized attempts to purchase, re-register, or move your domain.

Knowledgebase Article 9,490,689 views bookmark tags: domain privacy whois


Was this resource helpful?

Did this resolve your issue?


Please add any other comments or suggestions about this content:





Recommended Help Content

The WHOIS database shows my personal information for my .us domain names. How do I get privacy for the .us domain?
Knowledgebase Article 311,935 views tags: change domain extension privacy private whois

GDPR stands for General Data Protection Regulation. This law was proposed by the European Union (EU), and will go into effect May 25, 2018. What is GDPR, and what do you need to know to prepare for it
Knowledgebase Article 129,960 views tags: data eu gdpr general protection regulation

What is required to modify Domain Privacy for a .UK domain.
Knowledgebase Article 208,562 views tags: domain privacy

Related Help Content

How to update contact details for WHOIS database
Knowledgebase Article 261,253 views tags: Contact domain icann whois

Per ICANN, your contact information is included on the domain's record in the WHOIS database required information includes your full name, postal address, email address, and voice telephone number
Knowledgebase Article 1,683,849 views tags: domain verification whois

Frequently Asked Questions about Managing your Domain Names
Knowledgebase Article 638,024 views tags: domain privacy redemption whois

How to enable or disable privacy for a .CA domain
Knowledgebase Article 199,484 views tags: domains

Starting on August 26, 2019, the Registration Data Access Protocol (RDAP) will be a new protocol available that provides WHOIS details for generic top-level domains (gTLDs) (e.g., .com, .net).
Knowledgebase Article 304,494 views tags: access data domains gdpr icann protocol rdap registration

This article will explain how to un-assign a domain name from your account.
Knowledgebase Article 416,819 views tags: delete domain domains park parked remove unassign unpark

Can I have multiple domains pointing to my site or to a directory on my site?
Knowledgebase Article 518,944 views tags: domain domains

You need two things to have a successful website and professional email: a domain registration and a hosting account.
Knowledgebase Article 319,995 views tags: dns domain domains nameservers servers

** Google ad credits are only available to customers in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom at this time.

¹ VAT (Value Added Tax) is not included in our advertised price and will be charged separately and itemized on invoices and billing information. Standard VAT rates based on EU Member State regulations may apply. Learn more.