What is WHOIS?
WHOIS is a public internet record protocol used to query databases that store information about the registration of a domain name. When a person or organization registers a domain (like `apdigi.in`), they must provide contact information, which is then stored in this public directory.
A WHOIS lookup can reveal a wealth of information about a domain, including:
- Registrant Information: The name, organization, and contact details of the domain owner.
- Registrar Information: The company that manages the domain's registration (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap).
- Key Dates: When the domain was registered, when it was last updated, and when it is set to expire.
- Name Servers: The DNS servers that handle the domain's requests (similar to an NS record lookup).
Why is WHOIS Data Public?
WHOIS data is kept public by ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers), the organization that governs domain names. The primary purpose is to maintain a transparent and accountable internet. It allows system administrators, law enforcement, and trademark owners to find and contact the person responsible for a domain in case of technical issues, legal disputes, or malicious activity.
What About Domain Privacy?
You may notice that many WHOIS lookups return "Redacted for Privacy" or show information for a proxy service. This is a legitimate service offered by most registrars called **Domain Privacy** or **WHOIS Protection**.
When a domain owner enables this service, the registrar replaces the owner's personal contact information (name, address, email) with the proxy service's information. This protects the owner from spam, data harvesting, and unwanted contact, while still providing a legal channel for legitimate inquiries to be forwarded.