The WHOIS database is a public database that contains details about who a domain belongs to. This includes such information as their name, address, and even their phone number.

Why Does Web Hosting Hub put my information in the WHOIS Database?

Posting information to the WHOIS database is a requirement for all registrars (not just Web Hosting Hub). This is a requirement of ICANN, the agency in charge of many things, one of being domain registrations.

What kind of information is stored in the WHOIS Database?

According to ICANN, the following must provided in the WHOIS Database:

... ICANN requires accredited registrars to collect and provide free public access to the name of the registered domain name and its nameservers and registrar, the date the domain was created and when its registration expires, and the contact information for the Registered Name Holder, the technical contact, and the administrative contact.

It may be easier to show by example. Below is the results of a WHOIS lookup for cnn.com

       Registrant: 
      Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.
      Domain Name Manager
      One CNN Center 13N
      Atlanta, GA 30303
      US
      Email: 
 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 

   Registrar Name....: CORPORATE DOMAINS, INC.
   Registrar Whois...: whois.corporatedomains.com
   Registrar Homepage: www.cscprotectsbrands.com 

   Domain Name: cnn.com

      Created on..............: Wed, Sep 22, 1993
      Expires on..............: Fri, Sep 21, 2018
      Record last updated on..: Thu, Nov 18, 2010

   Administrative Contact:
      Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.
      Domain Name Manager
      One CNN Center 13N
      Atlanta, GA 30303
      US
      Phone: +1.4048275000
      Email: 
 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 

   Technical Contact:
      Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.
      TBS Server Operations
      One CNN Center 13N
      Atlanta, GA 30303
      US
      Phone: +1.4048275000
      Email: 
 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 

   DNS Servers:

   ns5.timewarner.net
   ns3.timewarner.net
   ns1.timewarner.net

How can I see what my details are in the WHOIS database?

You can see who owns any domain by doing a "WHOIS lookup". WHOIS Lookups are generally free. Here are a few sites you can use:

• http://whois.domaintools.com/
• http://www.dnsstuff.com
• http://network-tools.com/

Can I hide my WHOIS information?

Web Hosting Hub can publish our information to the WHOIS instead of yours. This is commonly referred to as DNS Privacy. Domain Privacy is available on all domains, except .us domains, for $0.75/mo per domain.

Public Registration

Private Registartion

Registrant: John Doe 123 Maple Street Los Angeles, CA 90210 Domain Name: domainname.com Created on: 2010-09-20 Expires on: 2011-09-20 Administrative Contact John Doe This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 123 Maple Street Los Angeles, CA 90210 (323) 555-5555 Technical Contact John Doe This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 123 Maple Street Los Angeles, CA 90210 (323) 555-5555

Registrant: John Doe 3629 Sentara Way Virginia Beach, VA 23452 Domain Name: domainname.com Created on: 2010-09-20 Expires on: 2011-09-20 Administrative Contact John Doe This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 3629 Sentara Way Virginia Beach, VA 23452 (757) 416-6627 Technical Contact Administrator Domain This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 3629 Sentara Way Virginia Beach, VA 23452 (757) 416-6627

Please note, we do not normally change your Organization/Registrant name with DNS Privacy because this is the registered owner of the domain. If you do not wish for your name to be shown in the Organizatin/Registrant name, please provide a valid, legal entity (a real person or company) for the Organizatin/Registrant name.

You have the option to choose DNS Privacy during initial domain registration through Web Hosting Hub. If your domain was previously registered through us and without privacy, please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and request to have DNS Privacy added to your domain. If your domain was not registered through Web Hosting Hub, please contact your domain's current registrar for more help with obtaining DNS privacy.