How To Verify Domain Ownership With WHOIS

Verifying domain ownership is a crucial step in proving that you are the legitimate owner of a domain name. This process is often required when setting up services such as Email Hosting, SSL Certificates, or connecting your domain to third-party platforms.

At Hosted.com®, we provide easy-to-use tools and clear guidance to help you confirm ownership of your domain.

What is WHOIS?

WHOIS is a global database that contains information about registered domain names and their owners. The name WHOIS literally means “Who is?” and it gives you access to important details such as:

• The domain owner or registrar’s contact information.
• Registration and expiration dates.
• Name servers and DNSSEC status.
• Domain status codes (e.g., active, on hold, pending delete).

This database is publicly accessible, making it useful for verifying ownership, checking legitimacy, and ensuring your domain name information is accurate.

How to Use Hosted.com®’s WHOIS Lookup Tool

Hosted.com® offers a free and user-friendly WHOIS Lookup Tool.

To use it:

1. Go to WHOIS Lookup Tool on the Hosted.com® website.

2. Enter the domain name you want to check in the search bar.

3. Click the search icon to retrieve the WHOIS record.

The tool will display the most updated registration details available, helping you quickly confirm ownership or gather other key information.

Additional Information:

Why Verify Domain Ownership?

Verifying domain ownership can be important for a variety of reasons:

• Domain Setup: When connecting your domain to Hosted.com® hosting, email services, or third-party platforms, you may need to prove that you own the domain.
• Legitimacy Checks: You can confirm the authenticity of a website or ensure that the domain you want to purchase is being sold by its rightful owner.
• Legal & Administrative Purposes: WHOIS data is often used in disputes, trademark issues, and enforcing domain registration policies.
• Security: By checking ownership details, you can identify potential fraud or phishing risks associated with suspicious domains.

Additional Tips for Domain Ownership Verification

• Update Your WHOIS Record Regularly: Ensure your contact details are correct to avoid losing access to your domain. ICANN (the global domain authority) requires this.
• Check Your Domain Expiry Date: Renew your domain on time to prevent accidental expiry and ownership loss.
• Enable Domain Privacy Protection: If you don’t want your personal information exposed publicly in WHOIS, consider using a privacy-protection service offered by Hosted.com®.
• Secure Your Domain: Use strong account passwords, enable two-factor authentication (2FA), and lock your domain in your Hosted.com® dashboard to prevent unauthorized transfers.
• Verify Ownership Through DNS or Email: In some cases, services like Google Workspace or SSL providers will ask you to add a DNS record (TXT or CNAME) or confirm an email sent to the registered domain email address. Hosted.com®’s dashboard makes this simple.

Protecting Your Information Online

While WHOIS is a valuable resource, domain owners should also protect their privacy. Here are some steps you can take:

• Enable WHOIS Privacy: Mask personal details in the WHOIS database to avoid spam and identity theft.
• Implement SSL Certificates: Encrypt data on your site to protect visitors and your business.
• Be Mindful of Sharing Information: Limit unnecessary personal data online and review your privacy settings regularly.