If you have ever registered a domain before, it is likely that you suddenly started to receive dozens of emails, texts, and phone calls from service and product providers, trying to sell you things. Indeed, it is very common for spam to go through the roof as soon as they register their domain. And this spam seems to be targeted, with most of it being for SEO and website design services. Frighteningly, many people also report that these spam emails are quite threatening in nature.

The reason why this happens is that the WHOIS database is completely open and hence a dream for spammers all over the world. Any information needed to get in touch with a domain registrant is there for the taking. While the WHOIS database does try to keep details as private as possible, spammers develop new techniques on a daily basis themselves, turning it into a cat and mouse game.

How Do Spammers Find You?

One of the questions people often ask is how spammers know when a new domain is registered. They simply do not understand why all their information seems to be so readily available, from their email address to their domain name purchase date. The reason for this is because ICANN rules (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) stipulate that the personal information, including email address, of a domain registrar, has to become open to the public.

Every day, thousands of new websites are registered, and entire websites dedicate themselves to sharing this information. Consider Whoxy, who create daily, freely accessible lists of all new websites. Enter any domain name in there, and a wealth of information is available straight away. And Whoxy is just one of thousands of such sites.

How to Stay Protected

There are some things that you can do to protect yourself:

1. You should consider working with PAC Web Hosting or another high-quality hosting company to ensure your details are as protected as possible.
2. When you receive spam emails, don’t click on the links and don’t respond to them. Rather, report the email straight away. List your telephone number as a non-cold calling number as well.
3. Use a WHOIS privacy service to have your personal details masked from the database. If a spammer looks you up then, all they will see is a generic address, even though you remain the legal owner of the domain name. While adding domain privacy does cost money, it is a worthwhile investment.

Something as simple as a WHOIS privacy system is just one of the many things you didn’t realize your website needs to succeed. People are internet savvy nowadays and prospective customers may also look you up on the WHOIS database in order to see how focuses you are on security. If your personal details are readily available, your customers’ details may be equally easy to find. As a result, people may decide to take their custom elsewhere, leading to your business going down.

About the Author: Garlak Theodorakis

My name is Garlak Theodorakis, I am graphic designer with almost 10 year experience in the field. Founded Tooft.com in january 2010 with idea to share my knowledge with the world.