Posted on July 3 , 2019

Read the other articles

Choosing the Ideal WHOIS Database Download Service: Everything You Need to Know

Over the past decade, the Internet has expanded so much that more than half of the world’s population is now using it.

Indeed, the World Wide Web has become so accessible that practically anyone can create a website and use it for whatever purpose they may have in mind. And although this is highly exciting, such an all-powerful ability is actually a double-edged sword.

The reason for this is simple: more users on the Web lead to more data being generated. And the more data there is online, the harder it is to sift what’s true from what’s not. You’ve undoubtedly had your fair share of misleading information coming from domains you thought could be trusted.

Thankfully, WHOIS databases have been put together to provide users with a way to learn more about the Web’s infrastructure and understand who is who online. But how is this possible? Let’s learn more about it below.

Quick Review of WHOIS

First of all, let’s talk about what WHOIS is about. In its most basic form, WHOIS is a protocol that is used to query databases containing the ownership information of Internet resources — IP addresses or domains. The same protocol delivers and stores content in the database in a format easy to read by humans.

Each time a new domain is registered, a record containing the contact information of its owners is automatically created. The most common details such a record contains include contact names, telephone numbers, physical addresses, and the registration and expiry dates of the domain, among others.

What is a WHOIS database?

A WHOIS database is a repository available for public access where the ownership data of the domains is stored along with the data of their name servers. Once a domain name is registered, its details are uploaded directly into the WHOIS database.

Who can use a WHOIS database?

Nowadays, a growing number of companies in different industries are starting to leverage WHOIS databases. This is primarily because these structured datasets can provide the domain details businesses may need en masse. In fact, the ability to garner a lot of useful information from a single WHOIS database download service allows organizations to perform various activities such as ensuring better cybersecurity, monitoring competitors, and more.

Criteria of a Good WHOIS Database Service

Third-party providers such as WHOIS Database Download build and maintain WHOIS databases. However, the quality of the data might vary depending on the specific company, so users need to carefully select the right one to meet their particular needs. To help you decide, we’ve prepared a list of criteria to choose an ideal WHOIS database download service today.

Variety of WHOIS data included

One of the first things that you need to consider is the amount of WHOIS data supplied when it comes to reviewing providers. Domain dates — i.e., registration, expiration, renewal, and ownership information over time — are some of the most crucial details that need to be available. The idea in having these close at hand is that they can help in the general evaluation of a domain which can be scrutinized more thoroughly later on.

It is equally important to have data on the registrant, which can range from their names to their contact information, including physical addresses and email addresses. These can be used to get in touch with the entity in case of concern. Additionally, the data on the registrar or the hosting service provider can be helpful as well if you fail to get in touch with the owner.

Frequency of WHOIS data being updated

WHOIS data can turn out to be quite handy, but only if updated regularly. Registration details, domain ownership, and the like can change overnight, and you might end up with outdated information that won’t be of any use later on.

When looking for a WHOIS provider, keep in mind that not all of them update their data sets frequently. The best WHOIS database download services, however, always provide relevant details allowing you to constantly keep an eye on the changes that happen to domains of your interest.

Quantity of domain records provided

The next aspect that you should look into is the comprehensiveness of the WHOIS database download service. A provider that can give you access to data on numerous top-level domains (TLDs) is something you should aim for.

The reason for this is simple: the more coverage you have, the more details you get to work with. This also means that you have more data to enrich your in-house applications — which translates into more opportunities moving forward. One needs to ensure that the service they’re using encompasses as large an area of the Internet as possible.

Categories of TLDs offered

Besides the size of the WHOIS database, you also need to inspect the categories of TLDs it provides. At the very least, the service you choose should have access to gTLDs like .com, .org, .net, and .edu. Examining these will allow you to explore more in-depth particular types of organizations or industries you might be interested in.

If you’re planning to operate in a certain region, you might also need to have access to the data on ccTLDs (country code top-level domains) which include .ch, .de, .fr, and more.

5 Budding Applications for WHOIS Databases

Now that you know what to look for in an ideal provider, it’s time to check out some of the most promising applications of a WHOIS database download service nowadays.

Counteracting cyber threats

Users employing WHOIS databases can detect websites that are part of malicious activity on the Internet. For example, viewing the registration dates of a domain can let them know if a site was recently registered or if it is hosted in a high-risk country — which are common warning signs of potential threats.

Online scam defense

Phishing and impersonation are among the most prevalent and successful schemes threat actors carry out nowadays. With access to the WHOIS protocol, users are able to research and validate the credibility of domains before deciding to submit sensitive information.

Law enforcement initiatives

Rather than await the procurement of digital evidence, law enforcement agents can carry out their own domain investigations independently. Personnel can, for instance, trace leads to fraudulent domains and acquire more information about their creators to supplement their cases.

Business marketing

By studying the marketing landscape via information obtained from WHOIS databases, entrepreneurs are able to identify potential opportunities they can take advantage of. One way of doing so is by analyzing new domain names being registered to get an idea of how popular a trend is.

Content and brand name protection

Plagiarism, false accusations, and mistaken identity are things that have become synonymous with the modern Internet. Having access to WHOIS data allows brands to safeguard their reputation. For instance, owners can contact the registrar of a defamatory website to report copyright infringement or harmful actions towards their company name.

The Internet has grown to massive proportions, and its potential to continue expanding sees no end in sight. That is why digital users need to adapt to the changing landscape while having an opportunity to recognize what’s real and what’s not. Gaining access to the best WHOIS database download service is one way to get started.

If you’re interested in seeing for yourself how WHOIS data can benefit your company,
contact us at .