What is WHOIS Lookup & How to Use it for Your Business

Once you’ve secured a domain name for your company’s online identity, your information becomes part of the WHOIS database. If you’re curious about how to use WHOIS lookup and its significance for business, you’re not alone. 

While many businesses owners view WHOIS information as a requirement for domain registration, they often underestimate its potential and lack insight into the functionality of the WHOIS service. 

We have a detailed guide on how to use the WHOIS lookup service to benefit your business. 

Let’s take a quick look at the concept of WHOIS lookup. 

What is WHOIS lookup? 

When you register a domain name, you are required to provide contact information such as your name, address, email, and phone number. This information is stored in the WHOIS database and is publicly accessible. 

Performing a WHOIS domain lookup enables you to track the ownership and duration of a domain name. Much like houses being registered with a governing authority, domain name registries keep records of information for each domain purchased through them, including ownership details and the expiration date of the purchase. 

This transparency helps maintain accountability and assists in various aspects, such as technical problem-solving, legal matters, and security investigations. 

ICANN oversees the registration and ownership of domain names. The WHOIS records, stemming from this regulation, have evolved into a crucial resource for upholding the integrity of the domain name registration and website ownership processes. 

WHOIS lookup might be used for: 

• Reinforcing Internet stability and security by providing pertinent contacts to network operators, computer incident response teams, and ISPs. 
• Regulating the registration status of domain names. 
• Assisting law enforcement officials in national and international investigations. 
• Combating abusive uses of information communication technology, such as acts driven by discrimination, violence, hatred, xenophobia and child abuse. 
• Facilitating trademark clearances and unveiling intellectual property infringement, theft, and misuse in accordance with international treaties and national laws. 
• Aiding businesses, users, and organizations in combatting fraud and protecting public interest. 
• Maintaining overall user confidence in the Internet as a reliable means of communication by helping identify responsible entities or persons for online services and content. 
• Tracking down spam or malicious behaviour. 

How To Use WHOIS Lookup Service? 

You can use either of these methods to check the WHOIS information for your domain. 

1.Using a Reliable Third-Party WHOIS Provider:  

When using a third-party WHOIS website, keep these points in mind: 

• For .COM/.NET domains, accurate details may take up to 24 hours to display after registration due to the need for queries to the Registry’s WHOIS Servers. 
• For other extensions like .INFO, .ORG, .BIZ, .IN, .US, third-party WHOIS sites directly query the Registry’s WHOIS Server, which ideally updates every 5 to 10 minutes. 
• Beware that many third-party WHOIS sites may cache results, potentially providing outdated information. 

2.Using the SuperSite:  

Here’s how to use WHOIS lookup on the SuperSite: 

1.Visit http://bigrock.supersite.myorderbox.com. 

2.Click the ‘WHOIS’ link below the top menu bar or go to http://bigrock.supersite.myorderbox.com/domain.php?action=WHOIS. 

3.Fill in the first text box with the domain name (e.g., domain.com or mydomain.info, not www.domain.com). 

4.Enter the Security Key from the image in the second text box. 

5.Click ‘Search’ to view the WHOIS information for the domain. 

Benefits of Using Domain WHOIS Lookup  

WHOIS serves as a valuable tool for businesses. It empowers businesses with the information needed to navigate the online landscape, safeguard their brand, and efficiently manage their digital presence.

Here’s how businesses can benefit from WHOIS lookup. 

1.Tracking Illegal Activities: 

One standout feature of WHOIS is its ability to hunt down spams, phishing scams, and fraud. The WHOIS verification feature helps spot illegal content posted by a registrant, which can be crucial if it’s mistakenly posted on your behalf. Rest assured, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) ensures lawful use of the information retrieved from WHOIS. 

 2.Resolving Issues with Domain Ownership:

For those eyeing domains through backorders, WHOIS Lookup comes in handy by revealing when a domain will expire and who currently owns it. If you discover that the domain you want is already taken, a quick WHOIS search can tell you when it might become available for purchase or bidding. 

 3.Ensuring the Uniqueness of a Domain:

Maintaining a unique and memorable domain is crucial for branding. WHOIS Lookup helps you confirm your domain’s uniqueness by listing other websites using the same domain. It provides registrant and technical details, allowing you to contact the domain registrar and protect your brand. 

 4.Addressing Business Networking Issues:

Business folks often use WHOIS for real-world identity lookups, searching for contact information and the location of online entrepreneurs with an internet presence. 

 5.Handling Administrative Issues:

WHOIS data includes administrative contacts for a domain name. In cases of network issues like routing problems or denial-of-service attacks, WHOIS is used to alert and connect with web administrators to resolve technical matters efficiently. 

Once you have registered your domain with BigRock, you can use domain WHOIS lookup as a verification tool.  

You can perform a WHOIS lookup to confirm the accuracy of the registration details and ensure that the domain is rightfully owned. 

According to the Whois Data Accuracy Specification implemented by the Internet Corporation For Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and effective since January 1, 2014, every Registrar is obligated to validate the Registrant contact’s email address for each gTLD domain name within 15 days under the following circumstances: 

• Registration of a domain name with an unverified Registrant Contact email address. 
• Transfer of a domain name from another Registrar. 
• Replacement of the Registrant Contact with a Contact having an unverified email address. 
• Modification of the email address of the Registrant Contact to an unverified email address. 
• Association of an unverified email address with a domain name after the domain name is transferred to another Account. 

We hope all of the above information on how to use WHOIS the lookup service has helped resolve your queries.  

Are you ready to start your domain journey with BigRock? Feel free to connect with us if you have more questions.