whois
Query domain/IP registration records.
KaliParrotLinuxpassive
pkg: whois
whois retrieves registration data for a domain or IP from registry servers: registrar, dates, name servers and (sometimes) contacts.
Syntax
whois {domain|ip}
Example
whois example.com
Returns registrar, creation/expiry dates, name servers and contact info for the domain.
Options & flags
What each switch does. Toggle them in the builder below to assemble a command.
Command builder
Tick options (and fill any values) to build a ready-to-copy command.
whois DOMAIN
Usage examples
whois target.tld
Registration details for a domain.
whois 8.8.8.8
Ownership/ASN details for an IP.
Advantages
- Completely passive — no traffic to the target
- Reveals ownership, dates and registrar
- Universally available
Disadvantages
- Heavy redaction under GDPR
- Data accuracy varies by registry
- Rate-limited by some servers
Tags
#osint#dns#registration
Official docs: ICANN Lookup ↗
Related commands
Frequently asked questions
What is whois used for?
whois retrieves registration data for a domain or IP from registry servers: registrar, dates, name servers and (sometimes) contacts.
What is an example whois command?
A common example is: whois example.com — Returns registrar, creation/expiry dates, name servers and contact info for the domain.
Is whois part of Kali Linux?
Yes. whois ships with Kali Linux (and Parrot OS). If missing, install it with: sudo apt install whois.
What category of security tool is whois?
whois is a Information Gathering tool with a passive-risk profile when run against a live target.
Try recon tools live
Run real scans against a domain you control, stage by stage.