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Understanding the WHOIS Protocol: Functions, Privacy Concerns, and Database Dynamics

This overview explores the WHOIS protocol, detailing its functions, database interactions, and privacy issues. We delve into the distinctions between thick and thin registries, the implications of privacy laws on data accessibility, and the evolving CRISP protocol for cross-registry sharing. The document addresses concerns about public disclosure of registrant and billing contact information, the nature of WHOIS data, and potential data mining challenges. Lastly, we consider authentication levels and regulatory requirements to facilitate responsible usage of WHOIS information.

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Understanding the WHOIS Protocol: Functions, Privacy Concerns, and Database Dynamics

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  1. Whois Services Jaap Akkerhuis jaap@nlnetlabs.nl

  2. Overview • The whois protocol • The whois function • Whois and databases • Privacy concerns • Thick and Thin registries • New: Crisp

  3. The Whois Protocol • Nicname/whois on port 43 • RFC 812 (Very Obsolete) • RFC 954 (Obsolete) • RFC 3912 • Protocol: • Client opens TCP connection at port 43, sends ASCII, ends with CRLF • Server sends reaction, ends with CRLF, close connection

  4. Protocol Characteristics • Now authentication • No authorization • 1 Question, 1 response • Like the finger protocol (RFC 1288)

  5. Whois Function • Contents of whois is undefined • Information about anything • people • addresses • conference room scheduling • In ccTLD world • publishing of social data • registrant, • registrar • billing contact

  6. Whois and database • Most RIRs: Whois information is the database information • Lots of ccTLD's: Whois information is alimitedview of database contents • only for interest of ''the public'' • details left out: • Why should the world know about the billing contact?

  7. Privacy concerns (1) • Some privacy laws forbid some data to be public • Motivate why you publish what • just ''because others do it'' won't work

  8. Privacy concerns (2) • Data mining prevention • is outside the protocol! • query rate limiting by IP # • No public whois service is an option • Just a web server with whois like info • Detailed info will be asked anyway • More work for the helpdesk • Define that process

  9. Thin and Thick Model • Thin • Registry: Minimum data • name server delegation info • Some registrar data • Registrar: All other data • registrant info (social data) • Runs the whois • Tick • Registry has all data and provides whois service • controls format and info • Registrar often still responsible for the data

  10. Thin model Problems • Multiple whois formats • Different info per registrar • Where is the whois server anyway? • Methods: • SRV records in DNS helps a bit • FreeBSD whois • based on silly DNS tricks

  11. New: CRISP • Cross Registry Information Sharing Protocol • Global entry point for a World Wide whois • Local policy for access • Work in process • RFC 3707 (requirements) • Levels of Authentication • users • ä lawyers • law enforcement • Regular expression look up

  12. Questions ???

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