What is a Whois domain lookup?

Whenever someone registers a new domain name, the collected data is stored in a global database. This includes things like the owner's name, address, email, domain nameservers, registration/expiration date, and many more. The WHOIS protocol (also known as Who Is) converts this database data into a human-readable format, allowing anyone to check the availability or ownership of a chosen domain name. This data is provided by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).

What does the Whois domain database contain?

There are two main Whois models that draw information from the global domain database - Thin and Thick . Both contain details about the domain creation and expiration dates, nameservers, and registrar information. The difference is that the Thick model also contains registrant information - name, organization, address, phone, and email. The whois record can also display the contact info of your administrative or technical representative for the domain.

The Whois database was designed to store domain ownership information as a public record, so whois searches are absolutely legal. Under the ICANN agreements, domain lookups are allowed for 'any lawful purposes except to enable marketing or spam, or to enable high volume, automated processes to query a registrar or registry's systems, except to manage domain names.'

How do I keep my Whois information updated?

Keeping your registrant information up-to-date is crucial for a number of reasons - verification for a domain transfer, name ownership disputes, or keeping up with important system information. It's not uncommon to change an email, business address, and even your phone number, but we shouldn't forget what services and accounts those details are tied to. It's always safe to occasionally double-check if your owner information is properly updated from the domain management panel with your registrar.

Why do I see hidden information in the Whois domain lookup?

Not every whois lookup will deliver accurate results - some domain owners prefer not to share this information with the world. Using a service called ID protection, they mask or replace the registrant info with fake details, effectively hiding their identity from the public. If the domain owner has decided to opt-in for ID protection, there is no way to find it except in cases where law enforcement agencies have retrieved it directly from the registrar.

How can I ensure my domain privacy is protected?

Not everyone wants to keep their personal information available to the public, especially with all the cybersecurity threats looming online. This is why most domain registrars offer an additional service called ID protection, which basically masks your registrant data, replacing it with fake details. Should you need the information public again (like in cases of a domain transfer), you can switch off the option. Depending on the provider, domain ID protection is either available for free or for a nominal fee.

How do I find available domains through the Whois database?

The only thing you need to find the availability of any domain is the name in question. Simply type the domain in the ScalaHosting whois search bar, and our system will immediately tell you whether the domain is available for registration. Additionally, you can check similar alternatives to your domain with a different extension or a slightly altered name.

Whois Lookup Tool

Whenever someone registers a new domain name, their collected data is stored in a global database. This includes things like the owner's name, address, email, domain nameservers, registration/expiration date, and many more.

The WHOIS protocol is a domain name search tool that converts database data into human-readable format. It allows anyone to check the availability or ownership of any domain. The current WHOIS guidelines were drafted by the Internet Society organization (ISOC) and documented in RFC 3912.

Registration data is often useful when tracking the name owner and getting into contact with them for a possible deal. This information is also essential when verifying domain ownership, so its accuracy is a must.

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Whois FAQs

What is a Whois domain lookup?

Whenever someone registers a new domain name, the collected data is stored in a global database. This includes things like the owner's name, address, email, domain nameservers, registration/expiration date, and many more.

The WHOIS protocol (also known as Who Is) converts this database data into a human-readable format, allowing anyone to check the availability or ownership of a chosen domain name. This data is provided by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).
What does the Whois domain database contain?

There are two main Whois models that draw information from the global domain database - Thin and Thick. Both contain details about the domain creation and expiration dates, nameservers, and registrar information. The difference is that the Thick model also contains registrant information - name, organization, address, phone, and email. The whois record can also display the contact info of your administrative or technical representative for the domain.
Is WHOIS legal?

The Whois database was designed to store domain ownership information as a public record, so whois searches are absolutely legal. Under the ICANN agreements, domain lookups are allowed for "any lawful purposes except to enable marketing or spam, or to enable high volume, automated processes to query a registrar or registry's systems, except to manage domain names."
How do I keep my Whois information updated?

Keeping your registrant information up-to-date is crucial for a number of reasons - verification for a domain transfer, name ownership disputes, or keeping up with important system information. It's not uncommon to change an email, business address, and even your phone number, but we shouldn't forget what services and accounts those details are tied to. It's always safe to occasionally double-check if your owner information is properly updated from the domain management panel with your registrar.
Why do I see hidden information in the Whois domain lookup?

Not every whois lookup will deliver accurate results - some domain owners prefer not to share this information with the world. Using a service called ID protection, they mask or replace the registrant info with fake details, effectively hiding their identity from the public. If the domain owner has decided to opt-in for ID protection, there is no way to find it except in cases where law enforcement agencies have retrieved it directly from the registrar.
How can I ensure my domain privacy is protected?

Not everyone wants to keep their personal information available to the public, especially with all the cybersecurity threats looming online. This is why most domain registrars offer an additional service called ID protection, which basically masks your registrant data, replacing it with fake details. Should you need the information public again (like in cases of a domain transfer), you can switch off the option. Depending on the provider, domain ID protection is either available for free or for a nominal fee.
How do I find available domains through the Whois database?

The only thing you need to find the availability of any domain is the name in question. Simply type the domain in the ScalaHosting whois search bar, and our system will immediately tell you whether the domain is available for registration. Additionally, you can check similar alternatives to your domain with a different extension or a slightly altered name.

WHOIS LOOKUP

Whois Lookup