As scam-like this may sound it is honestly a sincere interest...

Why is it that I am having such a difficult time finding a hosting/registration company that will allow me to verify myself, pay in full for whatever costs, allow them to keep my billing and contact info BUT not display it for the entire world to see? Is this so difficult? Am I being stupid and simply not looking in the right places?

DOH! I know the hosting company should be required to keep this information for legal and other reasons in case of whatever, but should I feel like I'm going to get shot everytime I leave the house because I think someone may not like my site? Yes, exageration... But you get the idea I hope.

Have I overlooked something simple? Does the typical host do this? I've yet to find one!

Bleh! Sorry, just had to ask... And vent I suppose.

You can always go into the registration system and alter your address details.

I recently leased a post office box as I didn't like my personal details on display to the world.


Lats...

Originally posted by Lats
You can always go into the registration system and alter your address details.

No crap? Thanks! I never would have thought of it. Like at Register.Com? Or where? You just made my day!

I recently leased a post office box as I didn't like my personal details on display to the world.

Well, I recently got a 'mail drop'... It has a street address just like a normal address... And they keep my personal info confidential unless a court order arrives... And you never encounter the problems PO Boxes run into [IE: a lot of companies will no longer ship to PO Boxes]. Just a thought... And my trying to return the favor!

No problem - another FW - great :rolleyes:


Lats...

We see people do this on our system all the time.

Sign up for your domain using your legal information, and then change it to whatever you are more comfortable having in the whois database once the registration is approved.

If you do this on a system like OpenSRS, and use a real-time credit card processor, there is virtually no way your data can be mined before you change it.

-t

I've often wondered about this myself. I happen to use a host that provides a "privacy" option, https://secure.blacksun.ca/hosting.html, but any domains are registered in their name.

How the heck do you get a 'mail drop' anyway?

Originally posted by rhizome
I've often wondered about this myself. I happen to use a host that provides a "privacy" option, ..., but any domains are registered in their name.

Well, after reading posts here I quickly headed on over to my hosts... And yes, I was able to change my contact/admin/tech info! Thanks everyone. For those interested in doing the same, I suggest you email the support people with your host. They can probably tell you exactly how or possibly do it for you?

How the heck do you get a 'mail drop' anyway?

Well, I am under the impression that there are several businesses around the world who do this sort of thing. Of course they have to verifyu your identity and keep record in case the feds come looking for you, but overall it is a painless and easy way to maintain privacy. Not to mention cheap at only $20/3 months for a medium sized box. I looked in the yellow pages under 'MAIL' to find the service I am going thru. Good luck!

The registration info I know how to change through the Opensrs Manager, but like others, I have concerns about privacy in listing personal info. The idea of a 'mail drop' sounds intriguing, but this isn't the same as the PO box correct?

Originally posted by rhizome
The idea of a 'mail drop' sounds intriguing, but this isn't the same as the PO box correct? Basically it's like a privately-operated PO box. The US Postal Service refers to them as "Private Mail Boxes" or PMBs. Instead of at the post office, it's with a private company. One advantage is that they usually will also accept deliveries from services like UPS, which the postal service (in the US anyway) won't do.

On thing to note, also applying to the US: it used to be that an address with one of these services was pretty much indistinguisable from a "real" address: you could usually just use your name, and the street address of your mailbox provider with "Box 999" or even "Suite 999." But a couple of years ago the USPS began enforcing a policy under which you have to use them more like a PO box. Instead of using "PO Box 999," you have to say "PMB 999."

An example of a company that provides these services is Mailboxes Etc. But there are many more; including both that kind of big chain operation and small independant businesses.

[Edited to fix a potentially confusing typo.]

Thanks for the clarification, JayC. :)