Using whois for Domain Names

Most domain registrars maintain publicly accessible whois databases where they display contact information for those who have registered domains. Unlike TCP/IP addresses, though, domain names are handled by literally hundreds of different organizations. Some of the major ones, and the associated whois servers, are:

.com, .net and .org - handled by Network Solutions and the competing .com registrars. Query whois.networksolutions.com, which will give a referral to the correct whois server if the domain was registered through an alternate registrar.
.edu - query whois.networksolutions.com
.ca - the Canada country-code Top Level Domain - query whois.cira.ca
other country-code TLDs - check this list of countries to find the whois server if one exists. This list may be out of date.

Note - few registries validate the information provided by the customer when registering a domain. None of the information available by whois is necessarily true, and for domains belonging to spammers you will never find valid contact information. ISPs, however, usually try to keep their information up to date.

Example:

# whois trip.net@whois.networksolutions.com
[whois.networksolutions.com]
The Data in Network Solutions' WHOIS database is provided by Network
Solutions for information purposes, and to assist persons in obtaining
information about or related to a domain name registration record.
Network Solutions does not guarantee its accuracy.  By submitting a
WHOIS query, you agree that you will use this Data only for lawful
purposes and that, under no circumstances will you use this Data to:
(1) allow, enable, or otherwise support the transmission of mass
unsolicited, commercial advertising or solicitations via e-mail
(spam); or  (2) enable high volume, automated, electronic processes
that apply to Network Solutions (or its systems).  Network Solutions
reserves the right to modify these terms at any time.  By submitting
this query, you agree to abide by this policy.


Registrant:
Texas Regional Internet Provider (TRIP2-DOM)
    5615 Richomnd Suite 251
    Houston, TX 77057
    US

    Domain Name: TRIP.NET

    Administrative Contact, Technical Contact, Billing Contact:
        Domain Administrator  (DA8092-ORG)  domain-admin@TRIP.NET
        TRIPnet
        5616 Richmond
        Suite 251
        Houston, TX 77057
        US
        713-952-5666
        Fax- 713-952-9440

    Record last updated on 03-Jul-2001.
    Record expires on 23-Jun-2003.
    Record created on 22-Jun-1995.
    Database last updated on 16-Jan-2002 02:38:00 EST.

    Domain servers in listed order:

    NS.TRIP.NET                  216.139.64.16
    NS2.TRIP.NET                 216.139.64.17

This example gives us a single contact address, domain-admin@TRIP.NET.

You can use the online whois utility at Sam Spade, which does a good job of selecting the correct whois server to query for a particular domain name.

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