Domain Whois with the RDAP protocol
Public information about a domain
What is a domain Whois / RDAP?
The Whois / RDAP lookup is the database that allows you to query the data of a registered domain. The information displayed is public and, therefore, anyone can access it for free. Each time someone registers a domain, the data they provide will become part of this public database. ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) is the entity that manages this database and requires that Whois / RDAP information be accurate so that the registrant can be located for administrative or legal matters.
The information provided by the Whois / RDAP lookup depends on the NICs of each country and includes: registrar data, technical data of the domain (registration and expiration dates, DNS information, etc.) and information about the owner and technical and administrative contacts.
What is RDAP? The evolution of domain Whois
RDAP (Registration Data Access Protocol) is the modern and standardized successor to the old Whois protocol. It is the new method approved by ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) so that anyone can access the registration information of a domain name (who owns it, where it is registered, etc.).
Unlike traditional Whois, which is less uniform and runs on a simple protocol, RDAP improves the security, accuracy, and accessibility of the data.
Advantages of the RDAP protocol
Standardization and uniformity
JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) makes it easy to read, interpret, and display registration data consistently, regardless of the registrar or TLD.
Greater security
It uses HTTPS to ensure an encrypted connection. This protects queries and responses from possible interception, which is essential for privacy.
Structured data access
Clear and organized information that distinguishes between public data (which everyone can see) and restricted or private data (such as that protected by the GDPR).
What information can I check in a domain Whois / RDAP?
The registration data of a domain that you can find out using a Whois / RDAP search is as follows:
- Domain name
- Registrant name
- Administrator ID
- Administrator data (name and email)
- Technical contact ID
- URL of the registrant
- Creation and expiration date of the register
- Data about the DNS used
Registration bodies require that the registration data of domains, and therefore that shown in the WHOIS / RDAP, be real and up-to-date. Otherwise, the domain could be suspended.
How to use the Whois / RDAP domain search?
Enter the domain name in the search box and select Whois / RDAP.
The tool will search the Whois / RDAP public database.
It will provide you with detailed information on the registered domain name within seconds.
What is the Whois domain search engine with RDAP protocol used for?
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Find out if a domain is available
The Whois / RDAP database allows you to know if a domain is available or if it has already been registered by someone else. If no detailed information about the domain you searched for appears, it means that the domain is available. This way, if you wish to have it, you can register that domain and become its owner.
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Knowing who is the owner of a domain
Through this service, you can also consult some domain registration data. With this information, you will be able to contact the domain owner to try to obtain or recover it, for example. This method can be very interesting if someone has registered a domain name very similar to yours and therefore traffic is being diverted to a competitor's website.
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Find out when a domain expires
Thanks to the detailed information this database provides, you can find out the expiration date of the domain. This information is all the more valuable if you have lost your domain and are interested in recovering it. Consulting the Whois / RDAP is very useful to protect your project's trademark and to avoid losing an expired domain. It is important to activate automatic renewals for your corporate domains in order to avoid worrying about expiration dates and to ensure maximum protection for your domain.
How does a domain Whois work with the new RDAP protocol?
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Whois / RDAP public database
When entering the domain name you wish to obtain more detailed information about, the public database will be searched. In this Whois / RDAP database, public data on registered domains is collected centrally. Depending on the domain extensions, there are different registries with their own databases.
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Domain detailed information
The information provided by the search engine must be fully updated by the registrar. As stated in ICANN’s policies, providing real data when registering a domain is necessary in order to always have updated information. In fact, providing false data can lead to the suspension or cancellation of domains.
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Whois / RDAP privacy
The personal information relative to each domain registration provided is stored in the public WHOIS / RDAP database. If your domain is registered in the European Union, this information is under the protection of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Therefore, the personal information associated with your domain cannot be displayed, but the server data can. Moreover, our launch registration service enables you to keep your information confidential.
Atención al cliente personalizada
Nos gusta la tecnología, pero sobre todo ayudarte a cumplir los objetivos de tu proyecto IT.
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Olvídate de las esperas
Nuestro compromiso es claro: atender tu llamada en menos de 1 minuto. No importa si es de día op de noche estamos de guardia.
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Obtén respuestas precisas y certeras
No nos conformamos con respuestas vagas. Y así lo dicen 9 de cada 10 clientes satisfechos con las consultas que nos han realizado.
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No lo decimos nosotros, sino nuestros clientes
9 de cada 10 clientes nos recomiendan no solo por nuestros servicios, sino también por nuestro soporte técnico.
Frequently asked questions about domain Whois - New RDAP protocol
What is the RDAP protocol and why does it replace the traditional domain Whois?
RDAP (Registration Data Access Protocol) is the protocol that replaces domain Whois and allows you to query domain registration information in a standardized, more secure way (using HTTPS), and with a better data structure (JSON format).
Who is the organization responsible for managing the RDAP/Whois domain database?
ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) is the entity that manages and oversees the regulations for the domain registration database, including the transition and use of the RDAP protocol.
Is querying domain information via RDAP free?
Yes. Querying public domain information through the RDAP protocol is usually a free service with no search limits.
What kind of information can I check with the RDAP / Whois domain search?
You can obtain key data such as the registrar's name, the domain's creation and expiration dates, the DNS it uses, and contact information (owner, administrator, and technical) whenever privacy allows.
How does the GDPR affect the information visible in an RDAP query?
The GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) protects the personal information of domains registered in the European Union. The RDAP protocol facilitates this protection by segmenting the data, showing only anonymous or registrar information instead of the owner's personal data.
How do I update the contact information for my web domain?
You can update the contact information from your Arsys domain administration panel. It is very important to keep your contact information updated to comply with ICANN regulations.
What is the main use of the Whois / RDAP domain search?
It is mainly used to check the availability of a domain, identify the owner (or their registrar), and find out the expiration date of a registered domain.
Can I check data for any domain extension (.com, .es, .net) with RDAP?
Yes. RDAP is the global standard promoted by ICANN for most generic and many geographic TLDs (Top Level Domains), ensuring uniformity in results for almost all extensions.
Why is it crucial to keep my domain registration data real and up to date?
It is crucial because ICANN requires that contact information be real for administrative and legal matters. Providing false or outdated data can be grounds for suspension or cancellation of the domain.
What is the main security benefit offered by the RDAP protocol over the old domain Whois?
The main benefit is the use of HTTPS for queries. This ensures that communication between the requester and the registration server is encrypted, protecting the privacy and integrity of the query.
Accredited domain registrar
With over 25 years of experience registering domains and more than 250,000 clients, we have become a benchmark in the sector. In fact, we have been an ICANN-accredited domain registrar for decades (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) and have all the necessary certifications to register the most important domain extensions: .com, .es, .net, .org, .biz, .info, .eus, .cat, .fr, .madrid, .io, .barcelona…
That's why your domains will be completely secure with Arsys. Register your domain and discover all the advantages we offer when you buy your domain in Europe.
