What is WHOIS?

In simple terms, WHOIS is a tool for checking domain availability and status and, at times, determining who manages a specific domain name. This global catalogue provides information about existing domain names* and all relevant information. Information records within WHOIS may vary, but generally, this record will show the domain registrant contact, registrar, nameservers, registration/ expiration dates, and domain status.

* Not applicable to selected TLDs/ccTLDs due to regulatory restrictions.

WHOIS lookup plays an essential role in verifying the accuracy of essential details associated with a specific registered domain, thereby minimising fraudulent activities and preventing identity theft.

According to the ICANN requirement, the registrant (who owns the domain) must provide and maintain a publicly viewable database that displays personal contact information when registering a domain, as this helps to regulate domain registration and ownership.

However, it is possible to make some data private and ensure domain name registrant information is kept hidden in the presence of domain proxy/privacy offered by the sponsoring registrar.

Furthermore, some information, especially sensitive details about the registrant, is often redacted from the public listings that anyone can access when searching the WHOIS directory for confidentiality. Customer information, including a registrant’s name, email, country of residence, phone number, and other private information, is masked by the registrant’s contact details by activating the WHOIS privacy/proxy service.

For example:

Domain WHOIS privacy disabled:

Registrant Name: John Doe
Registrant Organization: Example Company
Registrant Street: 123 Main Street
Registrant City: Anytown
Registrant State: Penang
Registrant Postal Code: 12345
Registrant Country: MY
Registrant Phone: +1 1234567890
Registrant Email: john.doe@example.com

Domain WHOIS privacy enabled:

Registrant Name: Whois Privacy Protection Service by onamae.com
Registrant Organisation: Whois Privacy Protection Service by onamae.com
Registrant Street: 26-1 Sakuragaoka-cho Cerulean Tower
Registrant City: Shibuya-ku
Registrant State: Tokyo
Registrant Postal Code: 150-8512
Registrant Country: JP
Registrant Phone: +81 354561234
Registrant Email: proxy@whoisprotectservice.com