WHOIS

What is it?

What is it?

WHOIS is a protocol and database used to query domain name registration information, providing details about domain ownership, registration dates, administrative contacts, and associated domain name servers. It is a public repository of domain registration data, facilitating transparency, accountability, and accessibility in managing internet domain names.

Key points to remember

Key points to remember

  • Domain Registration Data: WHOIS databases store information about registered domain names, including the domain owner's name, organization, email address, physical address, phone number, registration dates, domain expiration date, and domain name server (DNS) information.

  • Access and Querying: WHOIS information is publicly accessible and can be queried by anyone using WHOIS lookup tools or WHOIS query commands. Users can retrieve registration data for specific domain names by querying the WHOIS database maintained by domain registrars or domain registries.


  • Transparency and Accountability: WHOIS promotes transparency and accountability in managing domain names by providing a means for identifying and contacting domain registrants, administrators, and technical contacts responsible for domain registration and management.


  • Legal and Regulatory Compliance: Domain registrars, registrants, and internet authorities are required to comply with WHOIS data accuracy requirements and privacy regulations, such as the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which governs the collection, processing, and disclosure of personal data in WHOIS records.


  • Utility and Applications: WHOIS data is used for various purposes, including domain name registration verification, domain ownership disputes, intellectual property enforcement, cybersecurity investigations, network troubleshooting, and research on internet infrastructure and domain name trends.

Example of Use

Example of Use

  1. Domain Name Registration Verification: Businesses and individuals use WHOIS lookup tools to verify domain names' ownership and registration details before purchasing or acquiring them, ensuring transparency and authenticity in domain transactions.


  2. Cybersecurity Investigations: Security professionals and law enforcement agencies leverage WHOIS data to investigate domain-related threats, identify malicious actors, track cybercriminal activities, and mitigate domain-based risks such as phishing, malware distribution, and domain hijacking.

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