Anonymous Domains

[99999]

There are a whole range of companies offering anonymous domain names:

Offshore Web Hosting, Offshore Dedicated Server, Offshore Host, Offshore Colocation, Private Domain Registration, Secure Anonymous Webhosting servers in Hong Kong by Zentek (20/03/11)
Anonymous Hosting - Privacy Hosting - MediaOn.com is leading the marked in privacy hosting.
http://www.prq.se
http://www.ccihosting.com

I have used several and had no problems with any of them. Mostly presell landers etc. Throwaway stuff.

Now I need to get anonymous domains for a long-term whitehat business.

My fear with using these "anonymous" domain companies is whether ICANN will see these guys as the legitimate owners of the domain should they decide to jack the domain names themselves or hold me to ransom for them. Sounds incredulous, however there is ample evidence of such activities. With these companies, the purchase process is to provide an email for invoicing/communication and send funds via mail etc. They only know your email address and they display THEIR info on the Whois.

I have used the gift-card method to register domains before. As the domains will be used for legal legimate use, I am inclined to think that would be the best option.

Any opinions?

 

[99999]

I forgot to add: Which registrars does using gift-cards work with? I've had it work with Name.com, but not Namecheap.com.

 

[Jabberwokky]

The thing with "anonymous" domain names is that you are not technically the holder of the domain.

What happens if you build up a great business from scratch, and the owner of the registrar doesn't agree with that and takes it from you for some reason/infringement (like GoDaddy).

If your business is completely white hat, why would you feel the need to anonymize it anyways? Just pay for some whois protection and as long as you're not peddling child porn you should be good.

 

[zany zoroaster]

It might be worth it to look into anonymous incorporation + a forwarding postal address. The Yellow Pages might be a good start for finding companies that will let you have a forwarding address without exposing your real one (or an anonymous mailbox in your city where you can pick up mail if needed).

 

[99999]

The thing with "anonymous" domain names is that you are not technically the holder of the domain.

What happens if you build up a great business from scratch, and the owner of the registrar doesn't agree with that and takes it from you for some reason/infringement (like GoDaddy).

If your business is completely white hat, why would you feel the need to anonymize it anyways? Just pay for some whois protection and as long as you're not peddling child porn you should be good.

Did you even read my post? Please do not post again in this thread. You are a post whore and only seek to spread your sig. Fair enough, but you have displayed you possess zero knowledge on this topic. You lose. Good day sir.

It might be worth it to look into anonymous incorporation + a forwarding postal address. The Yellow Pages might be a good start for finding companies that will let you have a forwarding address without exposing your real one (or an anonymous mailbox in your city where you can pick up mail if needed).

Yes, I have a genuine anonymous forwarding address. The anonymous IBC is just waiting upon funds (isn't everything!).

The gift-card way is definetly the right right. It guarantee's full ownership. The name can be whatever and I'll use the anonymous forwarding address in the whois. ICANN needs to see proof of ownership. It gets a bit dicey if all you can say is you sent some company money in the mail and have access to an email address. Having access to the mailing address AND the Credit card that bought it must be enough proof.