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WHOIS is a network protocol used to query databases containing registered users' domain names. WHOIS provides information about the domain owner, including contact details, registration dates, registration expiry, and registrar information. This protocol is an important tool for web administrators, legal services, cybersecurity researchers, and ordinary users who wish to learn more about a specific domain.
The WHOIS query process begins with entering the domain name into a special field on a website that supports the WHOIS protocol or through the command line using the appropriate client. After that, the query is sent to the database containing information about domains and returns the relevant data. In response to the query, one can obtain details such as the name and surname of the domain owner, their email address, phone number, and postal address. Additionally, one can find out when the domain was registered and when its registration expires, as well as who the domain registrar is.
In short:
WHOIS provides information about the domain owner (if the information is not hidden) and about the registration periods.
Example of a WHOIS response (with the owner's contact information hidden):
WHOIS : tseivo.com Domain Name: TSEIVO.COM Registry Domain ID: 2769889154_DOMAIN_COM-VRSN Registrar WHOIS Server: whois.namecheap.com Registrar URL: http://www.namecheap.com Updated Date: 2024-03-03T08:06:46Z Creation Date: 2023-04-02T16:54:11Z Registry Expiry Date: 2025-04-02T16:54:11Z Registrar: NameCheap, Inc. Registrar IANA ID: 1068 Registrar Abuse Contact Email: [email protected] Registrar Abuse Contact Phone: +1.6613102107 Domain Status: clientTransferProhibited https://icann.org/epp#clientTransferProhibited Name Server: GUSS.NS.CLOUDFLARE.COM Name Server: MIMI.NS.CLOUDFLARE.COM DNSSEC: unsigned URL of the ICANN Whois Inaccuracy Complaint Form: https://www.icann.org/wicf/ >>> Last update of whois database: 2024-07-25T07:24:08Z <<< For more information on Whois status codes, please visit https://icann.org/epp NOTICE: The expiration date displayed in this record is the date the registrar's sponsorship of the domain name registration in the registry is currently set to expire. This date does not necessarily reflect the expiration date of the domain name registrant's agreement with the sponsoring registrar. Users may consult the sponsoring registrar's Whois database to view the registrar's reported date of expiration for this registration. TERMS OF USE: You are not authorized to access or query our Whois database through the use of electronic processes that are high-volume and automated except as reasonably necessary to register domain names or modify existing registrations; the Data in VeriSign Global Registry Services' ("VeriSign") Whois database is provided by VeriSign for information purposes only, and to assist persons in obtaining information about or related to a domain name registration record. VeriSign does not guarantee its accuracy. By submitting a Whois query, you agree to abide by the following terms of use: You agree that you may use this Data only for lawful purposes and that under no circumstances will you use this Data to: (1) allow, enable, or otherwise support the transmission of mass unsolicited, commercial advertising or solicitations via e-mail, telephone, or facsimile; or (2) enable high volume, automated, electronic processes that apply to VeriSign (or its computer systems). The compilation, repackaging, dissemination or other use of this Data is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of VeriSign. You agree not to use electronic processes that are automated and high-volume to access or query the Whois database except as reasonably necessary to register domain names or modify existing registrations. VeriSign reserves the right to restrict your access to the Whois database in its sole discretion to ensure operational stability. VeriSign may restrict or terminate your access to the Whois database for failure to abide by these terms of use. VeriSign reserves the right to modify these terms at any time. The Registry database contains ONLY .COM, .NET, .EDU domains and Registrars. Domain name: tseivo.com Registry Domain ID: 2769889154_DOMAIN_COM-VRSN Registrar WHOIS Server: whois.namecheap.com Registrar URL: http://www.namecheap.com Updated Date: 2024-03-03T08:06:46.11Z Creation Date: 2023-04-02T16:54:11.00Z Registrar Registration Expiration Date: 2025-04-02T16:54:11.00Z Registrar: NAMECHEAP INC Registrar IANA ID: 1068 Registrar Abuse Contact Email: [email protected] Registrar Abuse Contact Phone: +1.9854014545 Reseller: NAMECHEAP INC Domain Status: clientTransferProhibited https://icann.org/epp#clientTransferProhibited Registry Registrant ID: Registrant Name: Redacted for Privacy Registrant Organization: Privacy service provided by Withheld for Privacy ehf Registrant Street: Kalkofnsvegur 2 Registrant City: Reykjavik Registrant State/Province: Capital Region Registrant Postal Code: 101 Registrant Country: IS Registrant Phone: +354.4212434 Registrant Phone Ext: Registrant Fax: Registrant Fax Ext: Registrant Email: [email protected] Registry Admin ID: Admin Name: Redacted for Privacy Admin Organization: Privacy service provided by Withheld for Privacy ehf Admin Street: Kalkofnsvegur 2 Admin City: Reykjavik Admin State/Province: Capital Region Admin Postal Code: 101 Admin Country: IS Admin Phone: +354.4212434 Admin Phone Ext: Admin Fax: Admin Fax Ext: Admin Email: [email protected] Registry Tech ID: Tech Name: Redacted for Privacy Tech Organization: Privacy service provided by Withheld for Privacy ehf Tech Street: Kalkofnsvegur 2 Tech City: Reykjavik Tech State/Province: Capital Region Tech Postal Code: 101 Tech Country: IS Tech Phone: +354.4212434 Tech Phone Ext: Tech Fax: Tech Fax Ext: Tech Email: [email protected] Name Server: guss.ns.cloudflare.com Name Server: mimi.ns.cloudflare.com DNSSEC: unsigned URL of the ICANN WHOIS Data Problem Reporting System: http://wdprs.internic.net/ >>> Last update of WHOIS database: 2024-07-25T00:24:43.23Z <<< For more information on Whois status codes, please visit https://icann.org/epp
WHOIS has significant advantages in the field of security and domain management. It allows for quick identification of the domain owner in case of conflicts or violations, such as spam, phishing, or copyright infringement. Additionally, WHOIS helps ensure transparency and trust on the Internet by providing open access to important information about domains. However, it should be noted that some domain owners may use privacy services to hide their personal data from public access, which may limit the amount of available information (as seen in the example provided).
WHOIS information can also be exploited by malicious actors to track expired domains and acquire them.
Hidden WHOIS Information
To hide the domain owner's information in WHOIS query results, one can use privacy services offered by most domain registrars. These services allow replacing the domain owner's personal data with the contact information of a proxy company that will handle incoming queries directed to the domain owner. For example, instead of your email address and phone number, the WHOIS query results will display information about the company providing privacy services.
Using such services helps protect your personal information from spam, fraudsters, and unwanted contacts. Typically, this service is offered as an additional option during domain registration or can be added later through your domain management panel.
In the example, we can see "Registrar Abuse Contact Email: [email protected]" - this contact information is provided to reach the registrar in case of abuse or violations related to the domain. This record is displayed to ensure the possibility of contacting the registrar in case of illegal or wrongful activities related to the domain. Registrars are required to provide such information to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and to maintain Internet security.
Using privacy services will help you hide personal data from public access, and the contact email for abuse reports provides a way to interact with the registrar if necessary.
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