Who Owns a Domain: How to Find Out

In today's digital world, the internet has become an integral part of our lives, facilitating communication, business, and access to information. Every day, we visit thousands of websites without thinking about who is behind them. However, in some cases, knowing how to find out who owns a domain becomes critically important.

Method #1 – Using the Whois Service

The simplest way to find out who owns a domain is to use the Whois service.

1. In the Whois search bar: Enter the full domain name (e.g., www.example.com) and click the search button.
2. In the search results: The owner information is usually located in the "Registrant" or "Owner" section. Here, you will find the following details:
   1. Name and surname of the owner or organization;
   2. Address;
   3. Email;
   4. Phone number.

The information may not always be accurate. Some registrars allow the owner’s details to be hidden. In this case, you may only see the registrar's information.

Method #2 – Using the ICANN Database

ICANN is a non-profit organization responsible for coordinating the global domain name system. The resource provides access to a vast database containing information about domain names.

1. Go to the ICANN website.
2. In the search bar, enter the full domain name, e.g., www.example.com.
3. The system will begin searching for domain information in its database.
4. On the results page, you will see detailed information about the domain, including:
   1. Registrar Information: The company that registered the domain;
   2. Contact Information: Name, organization, email, phone, and other contact details of the domain owner;
   3. Created: The date when the domain was registered;
   4. Registry Expiration: The date when the domain registration expires.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Using the ICANN Database

The Whois service provides official information obtained directly from ICANN, ensuring its reliability. You can get detailed information about the domain, including the owner’s contact details, organization, and other important data. The service is user-friendly and intuitive.

However, it’s important to consider that in some cases, domain owner information may be hidden at the request of the registrar for privacy protection. Additionally, ICANN’s database may have a slight delay in updating, so the information may not always be up-to-date at the time of the request.

When Is It Necessary to Know the Domain Owner?

Here are some scenarios:

1. Intellectual Property Protection: If you discover that your content, trademark, or copyrights are being used without permission on a particular website, knowing the owner of the resource will help you contact them to resolve the situation.
2. Buying or Transferring a Domain: If you are interested in purchasing a specific domain, you may need to contact the site owner directly.
3. Security and Fraud Prevention: In cases of phishing sites, malware distribution, or other cyber threats, security specialists can use owner information to block resources or notify the appropriate authorities.
4. Reputation Check: Before making a purchase from an online store or using an online service, it is useful to find out who is behind the resource. This helps evaluate the company's reliability and reduce potential risks.

FAQ

Why might domain owner information be hidden?

Domain owner information is often hidden to protect personal data from spam or phishing. It can also be related to business secrecy or the desire to remain anonymous.

What is Whois?

Whois is a vast database that contains information about registered domains, including owner details, registrar information, and registration/renewal dates. It is used to search for information about a specific domain and check its availability.