Typically, when you register a domain name, your contact information is entered into the domain registry’s database and becomes publicly available. You can search on the domain registration information database, usually referred to as WHOIS, by using sites such as GoDaddy.com or Melbourne IT. For more information, see Godaddy/WHOIS or Melbourne IT WHOIS. Private registration changes your contact information in these databases and masks it with the registrar’s name and address.

However, you can hide your contact information through private domain registration. Private registration changes your contact information in these databases and masks it with the registrar’s name and address.

Private registration for a domain name also filters e-mail messages before they reach you, so that your personal contact information remains hidden. Any communication that is sent to you goes directly to the domain registrar instead. The registrar, in turn, filters and forwards only legitimate information, so that your identity remains private and protected.

Note : Private registration is available only for domain names ending in .com, .net, .org, or .info.

To protect the privacy of your domain registration information

Note :  You must first purchase a domain before you can privately register it. You can designate a private domain when you initially register it by selecting Private as the Registration Type on the Domain Details page. For existing domains without this capability, you can purchase private registration as an additional feature.

1. On the Microsoft Office Live Small Business Home page, on the left navigation bar, click Account Settings, and then click Domain Manager.

2. Click Properties for a public domain, and then click Protect me from spammers.

3. Under Make Private, select each domain that you want to make private, and then click OK.