When registering a domain, I recommend paying extra for Private Registration (At GoDaddy.com, where I register my domains, it costs an extra $10 per year or so). Otherwise, the personal contact information you used during the domain registration process is public and easily accessible to anyone.
If you are unsure whether or not you are protected, simply go to Whois Lookup and enter your domain name. If yours is not private, you'll see your personal information listed in association with your domain.
To make your info private, contact your host.
If you use GoDaddy.com:
- Login to your account
- Click "Advanced Details" next to your domain name
- Under "Domain Enhancements" find "Privacy"
- Click "Manage"
Here at BloggingWithAmy you'll find tips, tools & tutorials about blogging and websites. In plain English. Want to 
Do you know if it's $10 total at GoDaddy or $10 per year *per domain*? I have many, many domain names and it's hard to justify doubling that expense, when I can just use a PO Box and a business phone number.
Good question Heather. I would say "per domain" but I'm not sure if there are any concessions when buying in bulk.
I have Go-Daddy with have two domains. I pay an additional $10 for each domain for proxy registration. I feel it is worth it, especially in the day and age. But if you have a large number, then I think the PO Box and business email is the next best option.
I definitely think it's worth it too!
I register my domain names through my web host (DreamHost). They provide a privacy service for free. I never realized they charge for this mess! Check with your web host to see if you can register domains through them and not have to pay for the privacy. I know for Host Gator you *do* have to pay extra for the privacy – not sure about others.
Good to know, Lisa!
So, now a question for you…my fellow techy geek!
What do you think about the argument which says you should not register your domain and purchase hosting from the same company because it gives one company too much power over your online identity? Do you think that's still a valid argument or was that more applicable to the "old days" when hosting companies were a dime a dozen and no one was sure how long they were going to be around?
Does that argument apply to purchasing domains and hosting separately but at the same place? Or just "packages" where you buy a bundle that includes a domain registration and hosting.
My impression is that it's not a good idea to buy a "package" of hosting and domain name because you could be purchasing the package and not the actual rights to the domain.
I'm curious to hear Lisa's response.
Great tip! Just realize that you are only protecting one very small part of your privacy. It's very easy to look up someone's address online using WhitePages.com. If you've got an unlisted address, it's equally easy in many cities to look up property records to figure out where you live. If someone really want to find you…. They will.
Yes. So true! It's not hard to find people at all. A little detective work (or simply putting 2 and 2 together) and you can often figure out a whole lotta information about someone. Thanks for adding this, Carrie!
Thought I'd also add another website that offers free privacy protection on domain registration: http://www.netfirms.com
I just (finally) moved my blogspot address to a domain I purchased through them. Blogger is hosting it for free. I think I got the domain for under $7 & it came up with the privacy protection.
Well as a novice to this subject and having just registered a couple of domain names recently I was amazed that this level of detail was available to the public at all and so without this blog of yours would not have rushed over to pay for privacy.
Having said that I take Carrie's point that if someone wants to find you they will, but when all said and done I guess I feel better doing what I can not to release that level of detail.
Thanks for the info.
Your GoDaddy.com link is no longer working, I get a 404 Error.
Wonderful site, thanks so much
Thanks so much for the head's up Judy!
I changed the name to initials on my GoDaddy domain and used my old college dorm address. It was free. =P I suppose I'll change it back right before I go to renew so my billing information matches.