What is 'whois'?
'whois' is a command-line utility that allows you to retrieve information about domain names, IP addresses, and network resources. It provides valuable details such as the domain's registrar, registration date, expiration date, and contact information. This tool is an invaluable resource for network administrators, webmasters, and cybersecurity professionals.
Understanding 'whois' Queries
'whois' queries are performed on authoritative 'whois' servers, maintained by various domain registrars and Regional Internet Registries (RIRs). These servers contain up-to-date information about domain registrations and IP allocations. When you execute a 'whois' command, it sends a query to the relevant 'whois' server and retrieves the requested data.
Basic Usage of 'whois':
Simple Query: To perform a basic 'whois' query, open your terminal or command prompt and type: whois domain-name
IP Address Query: You can also use 'whois' to look up information for an IP address. Simply enter whois 8.8.8.8
Advanced Queries: 'whois' supports advanced queries to retrieve specific information, such as nameservers, contact details, and more. whois -h whois.verisign-grs.com example.com This query specifies the 'whois' server and domain name to fetch detailed information.
Interpreting 'whois' Results:
Registrar Information: The 'whois' response will include the name and contact details of the domain's registrar.
Domain Details: You'll find details like the registration date, expiration date, and domain status.
Registrant Information: For some domains, 'whois' provides information about the registrant, including their contact details.
Nameservers: The 'whois' results typically list the domain's authoritative nameservers.
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