I would like to create a personal blog with my own domain and hosting, but I prefer to keep my personal information such as my name and address private. I understand that this kind of data is typically stored in the whois database. From what I've read, it is possible to turn off the display of this information, but there are concerns that even if turned off, third parties may have already collected and published it in freely available or sold databases.
Creating an anonymous website raises questions about how to protect oneself from data leaking onto the internet. Are there any potential pitfalls to consider during the domain and hosting selection, purchase, and maintenance process? It would be greatly appreciated if you could provide some insights on these matters.
When it comes to creating an anonymous website and protecting your personal information, there are a few things to consider during the domain and hosting selection, purchase, and maintenance process.
1. Privacy Protection: Firstly, when you purchase a domain, consider opting for domain privacy protection services offered by most domain registrars. This will replace your personal information in the whois database with generic contact details, keeping your information private from the public eye.
2. Hosting Provider: Choose a hosting provider that respects your privacy and has strict data protection measures in place. Look for providers that offer anonymous hosting options or prioritize user privacy.
3. Payment Method: Be mindful of the payment method you use to purchase your domain and hosting. Some payment methods may require personal information, so consider using anonymous payment options like cryptocurrencies or prepaid cards.
4. Use a VPN: Utilize a Virtual Private Network (VPN) while purchasing and managing your domain and hosting. A VPN will encrypt your internet connection and mask your IP address, providing an additional layer of anonymity.
5. Security Measures: Implement security measures such as strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and regular backup routines to protect your website from hackers and other cyber threats.
6. Content Management: When it comes to maintaining your website, be cautious about the content you publish. Avoid sharing personal information or any details that could potentially reveal your identity accidentally.
7. Regular Monitoring: Keep an eye on your website's exposure and presence on the internet. Perform periodic searches to check if any of your personal information is being leaked or published elsewhere. If you find any such instances, take appropriate action to remove or mitigate the exposure.
more considerations for maintaining an anonymous website:
1. Private Email Address: Use a separate, anonymous email address for domain and hosting registration. This helps in further separating your personal information from your website.
2. Domain Name Selection: Avoid including personal information in your domain name. Opt for something generic or unrelated to your identity to minimize the risk of unintentionally revealing your personal details.
3. SSL Certificates: Implement SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificates on your website to encrypt data transmitted between your website and users. This adds an extra layer of security and privacy.
4. Third-Party Services: Be cautious about integrating third-party services into your website. Some services may require you to share personal information or have privacy policies that are not aligned with your anonymity goals. Research and choose services that respect user privacy.
5. Secure Content Management System (CMS): Select a secure CMS platform for your website, ensure it has a strong track record for privacy and security, and keep it updated to benefit from the latest security patches.
6. Offshore Hosting: Consider offshore hosting services that prioritize privacy and offer servers in locations with strong data protection laws. Research the hosting provider's privacy policy and terms of service to ensure they align with your anonymity goals.
7. Regular Updates and Backups: Keep your website software up to date and perform regular backups. This helps protect against vulnerabilities and ensures you can quickly recover your site if any issues arise.
If you're worried about providing your real information when registering a domain, there is a privacy protection option available. Instead of your data, the domain registrar company's information will be displayed. During domain registration, you can enable this option so that your real data is only visible to the registrar and hoster/reseller if you're not registering the domain directly. Many registrars and resellers offer this feature.
It is recommended to enable privacy protection when ordering the domain, rather than after registration. Choosing a registrar and hoster carefully is important, as well as communicating with their support team to assess their reliability and willingness to assist customers. Asking questions beforehand is also advised. Pay attention to the required registration data, as some providers may request unnecessary personal information such as phone numbers and even scans of dоcuments. To ensure maximum security, it is safer to register the domain with one company and purchase hosting from another.
As for recommendations, Sim-Networks is a German-based company that provides free privacy protection without any additional requirements. Their servers have maintained 100% uptime for several years. Additionally, you can easily connect a free Let's Encrypt SSL certificate or choose an affordable entry-level certificate like the Essential SSL.
If you want to maintain some level of anonymity while registering an account on Gandi (a French-based jurisdiction), try using a fake name and address. Once you have created an account, you can proceed to purchase a domain and simple hosting services. The site allows payments through traditional credit cards, which could potentially link back to your real identity. However, they also accept Bitcoin as a form of payment.
To enhance your anonymity further, you can utilize Tor or VPN to hide your original IP address. By combining these privacy measures with Bitcoin transactions, you can achieve a relatively anonymous browsing experience on the site.
1) Obtain a virtual private network (VPN).
2) Purchase passport information.
3) Create a domain under their name.
4) Seek out hosting services that are resistant to abuse (rumor has it that North Korea offers excellent options).
5) Publish your project online.
6) Deactivate any logging activities on the server.
Picking a privacy-respecting registrar is key, but also consider offshore or no-log VPS providers that accept anonymous payment. Harden your server, disable verbose error messages, and scrub metadata from uploads. Don't forget to rotate credentials and monitor DNS changes to avoid hijacks.
Your domain's history can be weaponized if you reuse old emails or phone numbers. The devil's in the details, and operational security must be baked into every step.