Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a domain name?
Domain names identify a specific network location on the
Internet. A domain name is your identity on the Internet
and provides you with an address that other Internet users
can use to find your site.
In order for visitors to access your site on the Internet,
you must select a unique domain name and register it with
an accredited domain name registrar. Any company that offers
WhoisProtector service can register your domain name for
you.

2. What is the “Whois” database?
A live database that is available to the public 24/7, the
Whois database includes up-to-date contact information for
all registered domains. ICANN, the organization responsible
for overseeing the domain name registration system, requires
all accredited domain name Registrars publish accurate and
up-to-date contact information including name, postal address,
phone number, and email address in the database. Inaccurate
contact information can be grounds for cancellation of a
domain name.


3. What is ICANN?
ICANN stands for the International Corporation for Assigned
Names and Numbers. ICANN coordinates, with accredited Registrars,
the assignment of the following identifiers that must be
globally unique for the Internet to function: domain names,
IP address numbers and protocol parameter and port numbers.

4. Why should I sign up for private registration
through WhoisProtector?
The benefit of having a private domain registration through
WhoisProtector is that you shield your identity, home address,
phone number and email address from spammers, identity thieves,
scammers, undesirables, etc. When you purchase and activate
the WhoisProtector service, our contact information appears
in the public Whois database, not yours. To compare the
difference between a public and private domain name registration,
click
here.


5. How much does it cost to register a domain with the WhoisProtector
service included?
You can purchase WhoisProtector service from partner Registrars
or hosting service providers, who independently determine
the yearly price for the WhoisProtector service.

6. How do I register a domain with the WhoisProtector service
included?
WhoisProtector services are available through our network
of ICANN accredited registrars and certified Web hosting
companies. If you would like to be referred to an official
WhoisProtector service provider, simply enter the domain
you would like to register or transfer to the domain
name search box.
Please Note: Your domain must
be registered by, or transferred to, a registrar that is
partnered with WhoisProtector in order to receive the service.


7. If I register a domain name with the WhoisProtector service,
will I be listed as the registrant for the domain in the
Whois?
No, WhoisProtector, Inc. will be listed in the public Whois
database as the holder of the domain. You will retain the
rights to the domain and will have full control over it.
You can make changes to the name servers and contact information
you submitted to the registrar at anytime using your service
provider’s domain control interface.

8. If WhoisProtector, Inc. is listed as the registrant of
my domain, does that mean I no longer own the domain?
No, you continue to own the domain. WhoisProtector, Inc.
is simply masking your contact information to protect your
privacy.

9. How do I cancel the WhoisProtector private domain name
registration service?
You can cancel the service directly through the WhoisProtector
channel partner you bought it from.


10. What if someone tries to contact me through the contact
information that appears on the Whois protected domain?
The public Whois database requires a postal address, an
email address, and a phone number for every registered domain
name. When you add WhoisProtector private registration to
your domain, our postal address will be displayed in the
address. A private email address for the domain is also
created and published on Whois in the following format:
yourdomainname@whoisprotector.com. The WhoisProtector phone
number is listed, which is configured with a voice message
advising the caller to email or send correspondence to the
contact information listed on the public Whois. To see an
example of how the contact information will appear, please
click
here.

11. How do I control the email forwarding service for my
Whois protected domain?
When messages are received at your private WhoisProtector
email address, they are processed according to the email
handling setting you selected for the domain name. There
are two email options to choose from: all messages filtered
for spam then forwarded or no message forwarding. If you
choose to have messages "filtered for spam then forwarded",
the messages will be forwarded to the specific email address
that you provided to the WhoisProtector service provider.
You may modify this specific email address at anytime through
your service provider. The email handling option will be
set to "filter and forward" by default until you
select another option.


12. What does WhoisProtector do with postal mail addressed
to my domain name?
WhoisProtector will sort and process registered, couriered
and first-class mail that appears to be of a legal nature,
and has been delivered to our address on your behalf. We
will notify you if mail of this type has been received and
you will be given the option to have the mail forwarded
to your address. If mail is forwarded, a shipping and handling
charge will be billed to your account. WhoisProtector will
not open any mail that is addressed to you.

13. How am I notified if WhoisProtector has received mail
addressed to my domain name?
You will be notified by email in the event that registered,
couriered correspondence or first-class mail, that appears
to be of a legal nature, has been delivered to our address
on your behalf. The email notification will contain a scanned
image or description of the letter or package along with
the shipping and handing fees required to have the mail
forwarded to your address. You will have five (5) days in
which to reply with your request to have the mail forwarded.
Messages will only be forwarded following successful fee
processing.


14. Will WhoisProtector open and read mail that is addressed
to my domain name?
No, mail that is addressed to the registrant of a domain
name will not be opened or read.

15. What are WhoisProtector's shipping and handling fees?
Forwarded mail is sent to you by courier for a shipping
and handling fee. You will be charged only if you reply
to the notification email, confirming you want correspondence
sent to you and agree to accept the shipping and handling
charges. These fees must be paid before any correspondence
is forwarded.

16. I want my real contact information to be displayed in
the Whois temporarily. Can I turn the WhoisProtector service
on and off automatically?
You will be able to activate or deactivate the service at
anytime through the control interface you use with your
WhoisProtector service provider.


17. How can I add the WhoisProtector service to my current domain registration?
Our partner service providers offer the WhoisProtector optional
service to customers who have domains registered with them.
The service can be ordered at anytime for a yearly fee.
If your domain is not registered through one of our channel
partner service providers, you can simply have your domain
name transferred and order WhoisProtector as an additional
service.

18. How long does it take for the WhoisProtector contact
information to appear in Whois once activated?
The public Whois database is normally updated once per day.
The private domain registration information will appear
for your domain once the Whois is updated.


19. Do I have to enter my valid contact information for a domain
name registration if I use WhoisProtector?
Yes, you must supply your service provider with your accurate
contact information and also keep this information up-to-date.
This is a requirement by ICANN, who can request this information
in cases of complaints and disputes. It is also very important
to keep this information accurate to ensure you receive
important notices and correspondence intended for you such
as domain renewal notices.

20. Does the WhoisProtector service
expire the same time as my domain?
WhoisProtector service is bound to a specific domain name.
When the domain expires and the contact information is no
longer displayed on the public Whois, the WhoisProtector
service will expire. The service cannot be transferred to
another domain.


21. Will the WhoisProtector service be renewed when I renew
my domain registration?
The WhoisProtector service is separate from your domain
registration service so you will have to renew it as a separate
service. Your WhoisProtector service provider will notify
you with renewal instructions when your WhoisProtector service
is up for renewal.

22. Will I be notified when its time to renew my WhoisProtector
service?
Yes, your service provider will notify you or they may provide
you with a convenient auto renewal service. Please check
with your service provider.

23.How do I renew my WhoisProtector service?
You must renew through the service provider that you ordered
the service from.


24. What domain extensions can I use the WhoisProtector
service with?
The domain extensions currently supported are: COM, NET,
ORG, BIZ, and INFO.

25. How will WhoisProtector know if my contact information
changes?
WhoisProtector uses the contact information that you maintain
with your service provider.

26. Will WhoisProctector, Inc. ever reveal my actual contact
information?
Your contact information will only be disclosed if required
by a court of competent jurisdiction, an arbitration award,
directions from ICANN, or if there is a breach to our service
agreement.

27. How do I contact WhoisProtector customer service?
You can contact WhoisProtector at info@whoisprotector.com.


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