What is WHOIS?

What is WHOIS?

WHOIS is a publicly accessible database and query protocol that stores registration information about domain names. When someone registers a domain, their contact details and registration data are recorded in the WHOIS database. Anyone can look up a domain’s WHOIS record to find out who owns it, when it was registered, and when it expires.

What Information Does WHOIS Contain?

A typical WHOIS record includes:

• Registrant Name — the person or organization that owns the domain
• Registrant Contact Information — email address, phone number, and physical address
• Registrar — the company through which the domain was registered (e.g., 10Corp)
• Registration Date — when the domain was first registered
• Expiration Date — when the domain registration expires
• Nameservers — the servers handling DNS for the domain
• Domain Status — codes indicating the domain’s current state (active, locked, pending transfer, etc.)
• Administrative and Technical Contacts — additional contact details for managing the domain

How to Perform a WHOIS Lookup

You can check any domain’s WHOIS information by:

1. Visiting a WHOIS lookup website (e.g., whois.icann.org or your registrar’s WHOIS tool).
2. Entering the domain name you want to look up.
3. Reviewing the registration details displayed.

Many domain registrars, including 10Corp, offer built-in WHOIS lookup tools.

Why WHOIS Exists

WHOIS was created for transparency and accountability on the internet. It serves several purposes:

• Domain ownership verification — confirm who owns a specific domain.
• Abuse reporting — contact domain owners about spam, phishing, or other misuse.
• Trademark enforcement — identify potentially infringing domain registrations.
• Technical troubleshooting — find nameserver and DNS information for a domain.
• Due diligence — research before purchasing a pre-owned domain.

Domain Privacy Protection (WHOIS Privacy)

Since WHOIS records are public, your personal contact information is visible to anyone who searches. This can lead to unwanted spam, solicitations, or even identity theft.

Domain privacy protection (also called WHOIS privacy or ID protection) replaces your personal information in the WHOIS database with the information of a privacy proxy service. Your domain remains fully under your control, but your contact details are hidden from public view.

What Privacy Protection Hides:

• Your name (or organization name)
• Your email address
• Your phone number
• Your physical mailing address

What Remains Visible:

• The registrar name
• Domain registration and expiration dates
• Nameservers
• Domain status

Most domain registrars offer privacy protection as an add-on service, and some include it free with domain registration.

WHOIS and GDPR

Following the implementation of GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) in 2018, many registrars began redacting personal information from WHOIS records for domains registered by individuals in the European Union. This means some WHOIS lookups may show limited information depending on the registrant’s location and the registrar’s policies.

Summary

WHOIS is a public database containing domain registration information. While it promotes transparency and accountability, it also exposes personal details. Domain privacy protection is a simple and effective way to keep your personal information hidden while maintaining full control of your domain. Consider enabling it when you register any domain name.