WHOIS Lookup

What is a WHOIS lookup?

Every domain registration creates a record in a public database called WHOIS, maintained by the domain's registry. WHOIS data includes: who owns the domain (registrant), when it was registered, when it expires, which registrar manages it, and the nameservers it uses.

Some registries (like KENIC for .ke domains) reveal more information than others. Many domain owners use WHOIS privacy protection to mask personal details behind a generic forwarding address.

When to do a WHOIS lookup

• Before buying a domain on the secondary market — verify the seller actually owns it.
• To find the owner of a parked or expired domain you'd like to acquire.
• To check when your own domain is about to expire (and renew before it lapses).
• For trademark or copyright enforcement.
• To verify the legitimacy of a business doing online activity from a domain.