Privacy protection was put in place with MOST TLDs. There are quite a few that don't allow this. It keeps spam mail out from social engineers, random people, bots. ICANN requires you to put valid information on your domains. Do you have to put yours? No. I mean they don't have to know it isn't yours. You could put it under anyone that can come up with valid ID or anything else they may ask for when someone challenges your who.is. You could put it under your grandmother in Florida who's 80 or anyone else willing to do this. In my experience not having privacy I faced more challenges then when I put privacy protection. The reason being that they don't know what it actually is registered to unless they go forward with social engineering. With something they don't know that takes a lot of time and effort. Emails, Reasoning etc. So, Yes it is always better to add privacy protection. If anyone wishes to purchase or bid on said domain this will not detour a legit buyer. Simply will proxy him through a channel to you. However, That's another flaw. If you answer. Answer with a random e-mail and name until you are sure it isn't bullshit. If you think there's is a lot of scammers and cut throats in the og username game you're in for a bigger surprise when you enter the world of domain buying and selling. It's hard and you much be hard too. You must know the tell tale signs of bullshit. A lot of which I can't post in one thread. However, the mere fact you're dealing with og accounts day in and day out gives you the upper hand of smelling out bullshit then the next new guy. It also keeps your real information somewhat secure. I say somewhat because just like anything else it can be manipulated through the weakness of human beings. Nothing in life is secure. Nothing on the internet is secure. That is the first thing you need to remember when you're in the domain game. Privacy does not allow you to put bullshit information either. Someone challenges it and you can't come up with id and information you will lose that domain. That's what most of these people are aiming for. However, It also doesn't mean someone can't get your information either. That's the false pretense of the privacy. Simple forms sent in (not going to say) as it isn't legal can get that information pulled and if that person or persons are good at what they do they can social your domain. Your only real protection will be coming up with the valid information when requested. Also, I don't need to tell you but always keep your domains on lock. I register with different registrars and all my domains have privacy but that's just another layer. Doesn't mean i'm safe nor are you. Just do the best you can with keeping everything locked. Real information on icann because when you're domains are challenged it's a pain in the love you but believe me when you deal with high end domains people will challenge them. I just did this 3 weeks ago with a really high trafficked domain with their who.is being ridiculously newj ack like Name: piss off etc. In the end the domain got dropped and now I'm just waiting on bids. Also, Pay attention to when your domains expire on every registrar. I try to keep more than a yr. Usually a few on my high end domains. This is how PEOPLE LIKE ME make their money. I pre-order I also bid on expiring domains almost everyday if possible. Big business here. Anyway, Bottom line to all of this is use real information and do not believe that privacy protection will keep it safe. So if you don't want it out there put it under someone else you spoke to before hand and will come up with valid information if need be when and if your domain ever gets challenged. There is plenty more to this but I figure I'd write up a little bit about who.is privacy protection because I've had a few people I know throughout the yrs get popped for some good domains for thinking this was their VAULT. Wrong. There is NONE. Keep legit information and keep your domains locked. Respond to buyers with caution and random emails and info to begin with. BTW. Don't be a dumbass and let your alternate email expire on your domain or put a BS email. That's like GOLD to someone snatching domains. Domains next to btc are the best investments on the internet if you know what you're doing. So happy bidding and I wish you all much success when you move up to domain ownership. If you have any questions feel free to kik me.
