Before the Web, Whois was strictly an Internet service used to query a host and find out if a certain user was registered on that system. Originally developed by the military, others followed with their own Whois databases, which provide white pages directories. See finger.

Directory of Domain Names

Whois databases have become the master directories for domain name registrations. When a new domain is added or changed, the information is sent to the appropriate Whois database. Domain name registrars may provide a search function on their sites that can access various or all of the Whois databases. Following are examples of Web sites that provide information from the Whois databases:

  WHO-IS SITES

  www.WhoIs.sc

  www.BetterWhoIs.com

  www.InternNIC.net

  www.uWhoIs.com

  www.EasyWhoIs.com

  www.FreeWho.com (tracks Whois sites)

  www.TekTips.us (tracks Whois sites)

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