The WHOIS database stores the personal and contact details of all domain owners, as well as the registrars through which the domains were registered. The WHOIS record for each domain also contains information on when the domain was registered and when its registration expires. The record sometimes also contains administrative and technical contact details, which in most cases belong to the domain registrar. An example of a WHOIS record can be seen in the image below.

Benefits of WHOIS database

WHOIS was introduced in 1982. Originally designed to store the contact details of everyone who used the ARPANET, it has since become the main protocol for identifying domain owners. Its main advantages are:

• A single database of contact details of domain owners and registrars,
• control over domain registrations,
• preventing abuse of websites,
• tracking unwanted content and online attackers.

Changing WHOIS data

Data is added to the WHOIS database when a user registers a domain. Over time, the owner or their details may change, making the information out of date. The umbrella organisation that manages domains (ICANN) requires domain registrars to allow the contact details of the domain owner to be updated.

Each registrar has a slightly different process for how to change this information. Typically, this is done via the registrar’s website or call centre. If you have a domain registered with NEOSERV, you can also change your WHOIS details by visiting How do I change my domain holder’s WHOIS details?.

WHOIS protection

We have already mentioned in this post that WHOIS records also contain personal and contact information. The information entered is visible to all web users and can therefore be easily misused. Some of the most common include:

• misuse of personal and contact data to send promotional materials,
• a fake registrar convincing the domain owner to renew the domain with them (this action can lead to additional costs, misuse of the domain or even inactivity of the domain),
• the domain owner’s email address is visible, which can make the domain owner a target for spammers,
• in the worst case, the WHOIS database can be used by an online attacker for identity theft.

It is precisely because of the negative consequences that some domains offer WHOIS protection. This hides your data and only shows the data of an organisation such as Privacy Protect, LLC. In case someone wants to contact you about your domain, they will do so via the form that the aforementioned organisation offers on its website privacyprotect.org.

But what if outdated or fake data is registered?

The main reason for you, as the domain owner, to have accurate information in the WHOIS database is to prevent possible manipulation of your domain. If you have outdated data, online attackers can take advantage of it to change ownership and you will be left without your domain.

Having accurate information also ensures that you will receive a renewal notification to your contact email address. It is important that you enter an email address that you use regularly. This way you will not miss renewal notices and other important messages related to your domain.

As you can see, WHOIS data is very important and has more value than many domain owners think. So the first step to protecting your domain is to make sure that your WHOIS data is up-to-date and accurate. If you are the owner of a domain that offers WHOIS protection, use it to avoid the negative consequences we have described above.