Are you someone who frequently purchases domain names for personal or business use? If so, you’ve likely come across the term “WhoisGuard” when registering your domains. In this article, we will delve into what WhoisGuard is, specifically focusing on Namecheap’s free WhoisGuard service. We will also explore why some individuals have chosen to stop buying domains from GoDaddy in favor of Namecheap.
### What is WhoisGuard?
WhoisGuard is a privacy protection service that helps to keep your personal information safe when you register a domain. When you purchase a domain name, you are required to provide contact information such as your name, address, email, and phone number. This information is then added to the WHOIS database, which is a publicly accessible directory that lists the owners of domain names.
Without privacy protection, anyone can look up this information by performing a WHOIS lookup on your domain name. This means that your personal contact details, including your home address and phone number, are exposed to spammers, marketers, identity thieves, and other malicious actors.
WhoisGuard acts as a shield for your personal information by replacing your contact details in the WHOIS database with generic information. Instead of your name and address, WhoisGuard’s contact details are displayed, ensuring that your privacy is protected.
### Namecheap’s Free WhoisGuard Service
Namecheap is a popular domain registrar known for its affordable domain registration services and commitment to customer privacy. One of the standout features of Namecheap is its free WhoisGuard service. When you register a domain with Namecheap, you automatically receive free WhoisGuard protection for the first year.
After the first year, you have the option to renew WhoisGuard protection for a small fee, or you can choose to disable the service if you prefer to have your contact information publicly available. However, many users opt to keep WhoisGuard enabled to maintain their privacy and security online.
### Why I Stopped Buying GoDaddy Domains
While GoDaddy is one of the largest domain registrars in the world, some users have chosen to switch to Namecheap for their domain registration needs. There are several reasons why individuals have made the switch, including:
1. **Privacy Protection:** GoDaddy charges an additional fee for privacy protection, whereas Namecheap offers free WhoisGuard for the first year. For users who value their privacy, this cost-saving benefit is a significant factor in choosing Namecheap over GoDaddy
