What is a WHOIs query?

Answer by: George Kaloyanov, Aplus.Net Knowledge Base Support.

WHOIS is a searchable database maintained by registries and registrars that contains information about domain name registrations. A WHOIS query is primarily used to look up for the domain name ownership information and the domain name status.

General information included in the global WHOIS database:

• Registrar of the domain name;
• Domain name servers;
• Domain name status;
• Creation and expiration date.

You can perform a WHOIS search yourself to check the status of your domain name:

1. Under UNIX based operation system you can use the “whois” command (Example: whois mydomain.com).
2. Under Windows you might have to install whois software (Example: http://www.gena01.com/win32whois/).
3. You can perform a global WHOIS search using specific web sites like: http://www.internic.net/whois.html.

Related Links:

• How do I edit the WHOIS information associated with my domain name?
• How do I change name servers?
• How do I renew my domain name?