WHOIS stands as a TCP-based query and response protocol, playing a crucial role in furnishing valuable information services to Internet users. It serves as a means to retrieve details about registered Domain Names, IP address blocks, Name Servers, and a wide array of other pertinent information services.
In the Linux environment, the ‘whois’ command line utility serves as a WHOIS client, facilitating communication with WHOIS servers or database hosts that listen to requests on the well-known port number 43. This utility efficiently stores and delivers database content in a human-readable format, making it highly convenient for users.
How to install whois?
It’s essential to note that the ‘whois’ command line utility doesn’t come pre-installed on many Linux distributions. However, installing it is a breeze. Below are the commands you can run, based on your specific Linux distribution, to get the ‘whois’ utility up and running:
For Debian/Ubuntu-based systems:
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install whoisFor Red Hat/CentOS-based systems:
sudo yum install whoisFor Fedora systems:
yum install jwhoisFor openSUSE systems:
sudo zypper install whoisRetrieving IP Address Information
If you seek information about a particular IP Address, issue the command as exemplified below:
whois 216.58.206.46
#
# ARIN WHOIS data and services are subject to the Terms of Use
# available at: https://www.arin.net/resources/registry/whois/tou/
#
# If you see inaccuracies in the results, please report at
# https://www.arin.net/resources/registry/whois/inaccuracy_reporting/
#
# Copyright 1997-2023, American Registry for Internet Numbers, Ltd.
#
NetRange: 216.58.192.0 - 216.58.223.255
CIDR: 216.58.192.0/19
NetName: GOOGLE
NetHandle: NET-216-58-192-0-1
Parent: NET216 (NET-216-0-0-0-0)
NetType: Direct Allocation
OriginAS: AS15169
Organization: Google LLC (GOGL)
RegDate: 2012-01-27
Updated: 2012-01-27
Ref: https://rdap.arin.net/registry/ip/216.58.192.0
OrgName: Google LLC
OrgId: GOGL
Address: 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway
City: Mountain View
StateProv: CA
PostalCode: 94043
Country: US
RegDate: 2000-03-30
Updated: 2019-10-31
Comment: Please note that the recommended way to file abuse complaints are located in the following links.
Comment:
Comment: To report abuse and illegal activity: https://www.google.com/contact/
Comment:
Comment: For legal requests: http://support.google.com/legal
Comment:
Comment: Regards,
Comment: The Google Team
Ref: https://rdap.arin.net/registry/entity/GOGL
OrgTechHandle: ZG39-ARIN
OrgTechName: Google LLC
OrgTechPhone: +1-650-253-0000
OrgTechEmail: [email protected]
OrgTechRef: https://rdap.arin.net/registry/entity/ZG39-ARIN
OrgAbuseHandle: ABUSE5250-ARIN
OrgAbuseName: Abuse
OrgAbusePhone: +1-650-253-0000
OrgAbuseEmail: [email protected]
OrgAbuseRef: https://rdap.arin.net/registry/entity/ABUSE5250-ARIN
#
# ARIN WHOIS data and services are subject to the Terms of Use
# available at: https://www.arin.net/resources/registry/whois/tou/
#
# If you see inaccuracies in the results, please report at
# https://www.arin.net/resources/registry/whois/inaccuracy_reporting/
#
# Copyright 1997-2023, American Registry for Internet Numbers, Ltd.
#Finding Domain Information
To obtain comprehensive details about a registered domain, simply execute the following command with the desired domain name:
whois whois.com
Domain Name: WHOIS.COM
Registry Domain ID: 809888_DOMAIN_COM-VRSN
Registrar WHOIS Server: whois.PublicDomainRegistry.com
Registrar URL: http://www.publicdomainregistry.com
Updated Date: 2020-07-31T05:28:58Z
Creation Date: 1995-04-11T04:00:00Z
Registry Expiry Date: 2028-04-12T04:00:00Z
Registrar: PDR Ltd. d/b/a PublicDomainRegistry.com
Registrar IANA ID: 303
Registrar Abuse Contact Email: [email protected]
Registrar Abuse Contact Phone: +1.2013775952
Domain Status: clientTransferProhibited https://icann.org/epp#clientTransferProhibited
Name Server: ANASTASIA.NS.CLOUDFLARE.COM
Name Server: ROMAN.NS.CLOUDFLARE.COM
DNSSEC: unsigned
URL of the ICANN Whois Inaccuracy Complaint Form: https://www.icann.org/wicf/
>>> Last update of whois database: 2023-08-04T02:25:55Z <<<
For more information on Whois status codes, please visit https://icann.org/epp
NOTICE: The expiration date displayed in this record is the date the
registrar's sponsorship of the domain name registration in the registry is
currently set to expire. This date does not necessarily reflect the expiration
date of the domain name registrant's agreement with the sponsoring
registrar. Users may consult the sponsoring registrar's Whois database to
view the registrar's reported date of expiration for this registration.
TERMS OF USE: You are not authorized to access or query our Whois
database through the use of electronic processes that are high-volume and
automated except as reasonably necessary to register domain names or
modify existing registrations; the Data in VeriSign Global Registry
Services' ("VeriSign") Whois database is provided by VeriSign for
information purposes only, and to assist persons in obtaining information
about or related to a domain name registration record. VeriSign does not
guarantee its accuracy. By submitting a Whois query, you agree to abide
by the following terms of use: You agree that you may 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, telephone,
or facsimile; or (2) enable high volume, automated, electronic processes
that apply to VeriSign (or its computer systems). The compilation,
repackaging, dissemination or other use of this Data is expressly
prohibited without the prior written consent of VeriSign. You agree not to
use electronic processes that are automated and high-volume to access or
query the Whois database except as reasonably necessary to register
domain names or modify existing registrations. VeriSign reserves the right
to restrict your access to the Whois database in its sole discretion to ensure
operational stability. VeriSign may restrict or terminate your access to the
Whois database for failure to abide by these terms of use. VeriSign
reserves the right to modify these terms at any time.
The Registry database contains ONLY .COM, .NET, .EDU domains and
Registrars.
Domain Name: WHOIS.COM
Registry Domain ID: 809888_DOMAIN_COM-VRSN
Registrar WHOIS Server: whois.publicdomainregistry.com
Registrar URL: www.publicdomainregistry.com
Updated Date: 2020-07-31T05:29:51Z
Creation Date: 1995-04-11T04:00:00Z
Registrar Registration Expiration Date: 2028-04-12T04:00:00Z
Registrar: PDR Ltd. d/b/a PublicDomainRegistry.com
Registrar IANA ID: 303
Domain Status: clientTransferProhibited https://icann.org/epp#clientTransferProhibited
Registry Registrant ID: Not Available From Registry
Registrant Name: Domain Administrator
Registrant Organization: Whois Digital Pte Ltd
Registrant Street: 9A Jasmine Road
Registrant City: Singapore
Registrant State/Province: Singapore
Registrant Postal Code: 576582
Registrant Country: SG
Registrant Phone: +65.31507504
Registrant Phone Ext:
Registrant Fax:
Registrant Fax Ext:
Registrant Email: [email protected]
Registry Admin ID: Not Available From Registry
Admin Name: Domain Administrator
Admin Organization: Whois Digital Pte Ltd
Admin Street: 9A Jasmine Road
Admin City: Singapore
Admin State/Province: Singapore
Admin Postal Code: 576582
Admin Country: SG
Admin Phone: +65.31507504
Admin Phone Ext:
Admin Fax:
Admin Fax Ext:
Admin Email: [email protected]
Registry Tech ID: Not Available From Registry
Tech Name: Domain Administrator
Tech Organization: Whois Digital Pte Ltd
Tech Street: 9A Jasmine Road
Tech City: Singapore
Tech State/Province: Singapore
Tech Postal Code: 576582
Tech Country: SG
Tech Phone: +65.31507504
Tech Phone Ext:
Tech Fax:
Tech Fax Ext:
Tech Email: [email protected]
Name Server: anastasia.ns.cloudflare.com
Name Server: roman.ns.cloudflare.com
DNSSEC: Unsigned
Registrar Abuse Contact Email: [email protected]
Registrar Abuse Contact Phone: +1.2013775952
URL of the ICANN WHOIS Data Problem Reporting System: http://wdprs.internic.net/
>>> Last update of WHOIS database: 2023-08-04T02:26:05Z <<<
For more information on Whois status codes, please visit https://icann.org/epp
Registration Service Provided By:
The data in this whois database is provided to you for information purposes
only, that is, to assist you in obtaining information about or related to a
domain name registration record. We make this information available "as is",
and do 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) enable high volume, automated, electronic processes that stress or load
this whois database system providing you this information; or
(2) allow, enable, or otherwise support the transmission of mass unsolicited,
commercial advertising or solicitations via direct mail, electronic mail, or
by telephone.
The compilation, repackaging, dissemination or other use of this data is
expressly prohibited without prior written consent from us. The Registrar of
record is PDR Ltd. d/b/a PublicDomainRegistry.com.
We reserve the right to modify these terms at any time.
By submitting this query, you agree to abide by these terms.Upon execution, this command will retrieve essential domain data, such as availability, ownership, creation and expiration details, name servers, and more.
It is important to note that the formatting of the information may vary based on the WHOIS server utilized. However, one limitation of the WHOIS system is the restricted access to complete data. To overcome this, consider exploring alternative methods for querying DNS information in Linux.
In conclusion, the ‘whois’ command line utility in Linux is a valuable tool for acquiring domain and IP address information effortlessly. By following the simple installation steps and employing the appropriate commands, users can access crucial data to better navigate the Internet landscape with confidence.
