What Is WHOIS?
WHOIS is a globally maintained database that contains information about a domain, including:
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Registrant (domain owner) name
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Email address
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Phone number
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Physical address
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Registrar details
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Domain registration and expiration dates
ICANN requires registrars to collect and publish this information unless privacy protection is applied.
Why WHOIS Information Is Public
WHOIS exists to:
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Verify domain ownership
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Enable technical or legal contact regarding domains
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Support transparency and accountability on the internet
What Is Domain Privacy Protection?
Domain privacy protection (also known as WHOIS privacy) replaces your personal contact details with proxy information provided by the registrar. The domain remains legally registered to you, but your private data is not publicly visible.
Benefits of Domain Privacy Protection
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Reduces spam emails and unwanted calls
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Protects against identity theft and data scraping
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Prevents public exposure of personal or business information
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Maintains ICANN compliance while safeguarding privacy
How Domain Privacy Works
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Your registrar displays alternative contact details in WHOIS
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Legitimate inquiries are forwarded to your actual email address
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Ownership and control of the domain remain unchanged
How to Enable Domain Privacy at SmartHostee
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Log in to your SmartHostee client area.
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Navigate to Domains.
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Select the domain name.
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Enable Domain Privacy Protection.
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Save the changes.
Important Notes
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Some domain extensions do not support privacy protection due to registry rules
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Domain privacy does not affect website or email functionality
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Accurate registrant information must still be maintained internally
Expected Outcome
Your domain remains fully functional and compliant while your personal contact details are protected from public WHOIS access.
