I recently decided to run a WHOIS query on Microsoft.com using the Linux whois client. I was greeted by a flood of obviously non-Microsoft.com domains that begin with the string "Microsoft.com" (many of which are pretty explicit) followed by the WHOIS results for the actual Microsoft.com domain.
Here is an (edited) sample of the given response (if you aren't scared of a few swear words, go ahead and 'whois' them yourself;):
Server Name: MICROSOFT.COM.ARE.*******.**********.NET.NS-NOT-IN-SERVICE.COM
IP Address: 216.127.80.46
Registrar: TUCOWS DOMAINS INC.
Whois Server: whois.tucows.com
Referral URL: http://domainhelp.opensrs.net
Server Name: MICROSOFT.COM.CAN.**.****.*******.AT.SECZY.COM
IP Address: 209.187.114.147
Registrar: TUCOWS DOMAINS INC.
Whois Server: whois.tucows.com
Referral URL: http://domainhelp.opensrs.net
Server Name: MICROSOFT.COM.EENGURRA.COM
IP Address: 184.168.46.68
Registrar: GODADDY.COM, LLC
Whois Server: whois.godaddy.com
Referral URL: http://registrar.godaddy.com
Server Name: MICROSOFT.COM.FILLS.ME.WITH.BELLIGERENCE.NET
IP Address: 130.58.82.232
Registrar: CPS-DATENSYSTEME GMBH
Whois Server: whois.cps-datensysteme.de
Referral URL: http://www.cps-datensysteme.de
Server Name: MICROSOFT.COM.HAS.A.PRESENT.COMING.FROM.HUGHESMISSILES.COM
IP Address: 66.154.11.27
Registrar: TUCOWS DOMAINS INC.
Whois Server: whois.tucows.com
Referral URL: http://domainhelp.opensrs.net
Server Name: MICROSOFT.COM.IS.A.MESS.TIMPORTER.CO.UK
Registrar: MELBOURNE IT, LTD. D/B/A INTERNET NAMES WORLDWIDE
Whois Server: whois.melbourneit.com
Referral URL: http://www.melbourneit.com
Server Name: MICROSOFT.COM.IS.A.STEAMING.HEAP.OF.*******-********.NET
IP Address: 63.99.165.11
Registrar: 1 & 1 INTERNET AG
Whois Server: whois.schlund.info
Referral URL: http://1and1.com
Server Name: MICROSOFT.COM.IS.HOSTED.ON.PROFITHOSTING.NET
IP Address: 66.49.213.213
Registrar: NAME.COM, INC.
Whois Server: whois.name.com
Referral URL: http://www.name.com
Server Name: MICROSOFT.COM.IS.IN.BED.WITH.CURTYV.COM
IP Address: 216.55.187.193
Registrar: HOSTOPIA.COM INC. D/B/A APLUS.NET
Whois Server: whois.names4ever.com
Referral URL: http://www.aplus.net
Server Name: MICROSOFT.COM.IS.NOT.HOSTED.BY.ACTIVEDOMAINDNS.NET
IP Address: 217.148.161.5
Registrar: ENOM, INC.
Whois Server: whois.enom.com
Referral URL: http://www.enom.com
Server Name: MICROSOFT.COM.IS.NOT.YEPPA.ORG
Registrar: OVH
Whois Server: whois.ovh.com
Referral URL: http://www.ovh.com
Server Name: MICROSOFT.COM.LIVES.AT.SHAUNEWING.COM
IP Address: 216.40.250.172
Registrar: TUCOWS DOMAINS INC.
Whois Server: whois.tucows.com
Referral URL: http://domainhelp.opensrs.net
Server Name: MICROSOFT.COM.LOVES.ME.KOSMAL.NET
IP Address: 65.75.198.123
Registrar: GODADDY.COM, LLC
Whois Server: whois.godaddy.com
Referral URL: http://registrar.godaddy.com
Server Name: MICROSOFT.COM.MAKES.RICKARD.DRINK.SAMBUCA.0800CARRENTAL.COM
IP Address: 209.85.135.106
Registrar: KEY-SYSTEMS GMBH
Whois Server: whois.rrpproxy.net
Referral URL: http://www.key-systems.net
Server Name: MICROSOFT.COM.MATCHES.THIS.STRING.AT.KEYSIGNERS.COM
IP Address: 85.10.240.254
Registrar: HETZNER ONLINE AG
Whois Server: whois.your-server.de
Referral URL: http://www.hetzner.de
Server Name: MICROSOFT.COM.MORE.INFO.AT.WWW.BEYONDWHOIS.COM
IP Address: 203.36.226.2
Registrar: INSTRA CORPORATION PTY, LTD.
Whois Server: whois.instra.net
Referral URL: http://www.instra.com
Server Name: MICROSOFT.COM.RAWKZ.MUH.WERLD.MENTALFLOSS.CA
Registrar: TUCOWS DOMAINS INC.
Whois Server: whois.tucows.com
Referral URL: http://domainhelp.opensrs.net
Server Name: MICROSOFT.COM.SHOULD.GIVE.UP.BECAUSE.LINUXISGOD.COM
IP Address: 65.160.248.13
Registrar: GKG.NET, INC.
Whois Server: whois.gkg.net
Referral URL: http://www.gkg.net
Server Name: MICROSOFT.COM.SOFTWARE.IS.NOT.USED.AT.REG.RU
Registrar: MELBOURNE IT, LTD. D/B/A INTERNET NAMES WORLDWIDE
Whois Server: whois.melbourneit.com
Referral URL: http://www.melbourneit.com
Server Name: MICROSOFT.COM.WAREZ.AT.TOPLIST.GULLI.COM
IP Address: 80.190.192.33
Registrar: COREHUB, S.R.L.
Whois Server: whois.corehub.net
Referral URL: http://www.corehub.net
Server Name: MICROSOFT.COM.WILL.BE.BEATEN.WITH.MY.SPANNER.NET
IP Address: 216.127.80.46
Registrar: ASCIO TECHNOLOGIES, INC. DANMARK - FILIAL AF ASCIO TECHNOLOGIES, INC. USA
Whois Server: whois.ascio.com
Referral URL: http://www.ascio.com
Server Name: MICROSOFT.COM.WILL.BE.SLAPPED.IN.THE.FACE.BY.MY.****.******.SPANNER.NET
IP Address: 216.127.80.46
Registrar: ASCIO TECHNOLOGIES, INC. DANMARK - FILIAL AF ASCIO TECHNOLOGIES, INC. USA
Whois Server: whois.ascio.com
Referral URL: http://www.ascio.com
Server Name: MICROSOFT.COM.ZZZ.IS.0WNED.AND.HAX0RED.BY.SUB7.NET
IP Address: 207.44.240.96
Registrar: TUCOWS DOMAINS INC.
Whois Server: whois.tucows.com
Referral URL: http://domainhelp.opensrs.net
Server Name: MICROSOFT.COM.ZZZZZ.***.*****.AT.WWW.********COMMUNITY.COM
IP Address: 69.41.185.194
Registrar: TUCOWS DOMAINS INC.
Whois Server: whois.tucows.com
Referral URL: http://domainhelp.opensrs.net
Server Name: MICROSOFT.COM.ZZZZZZ.MORE.DETAILS.AT.WWW.BEYONDWHOIS.COM
IP Address: 203.36.226.2
Registrar: INSTRA CORPORATION PTY, LTD.
Whois Server: whois.instra.net
Referral URL: http://www.instra.com
Server Name: MICROSOFT.COM.ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.IM.ELITE.WANNABE.TOO.WWW.PLUS613.NET
IP Address: 64.251.18.228
Registrar: REGISTER4LESS, INC.
Whois Server: whois.register4less.com
Referral URL: http://register4less.com
Server Name: MICROSOFT.COM.ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.GET.ONE.MILLION.DOLLARS.AT.WWW.UNIMUNDI.COM
IP Address: 209.126.190.70
Registrar: PDR LTD. D/B/A PUBLICDOMAINREGISTRY.COM
Whois Server: whois.PublicDomainRegistry.com
Referral URL: http://www.PublicDomainRegistry.com
Server Name: MICROSOFT.COM.ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.IS.A.GREAT.COMPANY.ITREBAL.COM
IP Address: 97.107.132.202
Registrar: GANDI SAS
Whois Server: whois.gandi.net
Referral URL: http://www.gandi.net
Domain Name: MICROSOFT.COM
Registrar: MARKMONITOR INC.
Whois Server: whois.markmonitor.com
Referral URL: http://www.markmonitor.com
Name Server: NS1.MSFT.NET
Name Server: NS2.MSFT.NET
Name Server: NS3.MSFT.NET
Name Server: NS4.MSFT.NET
Status: clientDeleteProhibited
Status: clientTransferProhibited
Status: clientUpdateProhibited
Status: serverDeleteProhibited
Status: serverTransferProhibited
Status: serverUpdateProhibited
Updated Date: 09-oct-2014
Creation Date: 02-may-1991
Expiration Date: 03-may-2021
>>> Last update of whois database: Tue, 18 Nov 2014 17:04:45 GMT <<<
NOTICE: The expiration date displayed in this record is the date the
registrar's sponsorship of the domain name registration in the registry is
currently set to expire. This date does not necessarily reflect the expiration
date of the domain name registrant's agreement with the sponsoring
registrar. Users may consult the sponsoring registrar's Whois database to
view the registrar's reported date of expiration for this registration.
TERMS OF USE: You are not authorized to access or query our Whois
database through the use of electronic processes that are high-volume and
automated except as reasonably necessary to register domain names or
modify existing registrations; the Data in VeriSign Global Registry
Services' ("VeriSign") Whois database is provided by VeriSign for
information purposes only, and to assist persons in obtaining information
about or related to a domain name registration record. VeriSign does not
guarantee its accuracy. By submitting a Whois query, you agree to abide
by the following terms of use: You agree that you may use this Data only
for lawful purposes and that under no circumstances will you use this Data
to: (1) allow, enable, or otherwise support the transmission of mass
unsolicited, commercial advertising or solicitations via e-mail, telephone,
or facsimile; or (2) enable high volume, automated, electronic processes
that apply to VeriSign (or its computer systems). The compilation,
repackaging, dissemination or other use of this Data is expressly
prohibited without the prior written consent of VeriSign. You agree not to
use electronic processes that are automated and high-volume to access or
query the Whois database except as reasonably necessary to register
domain names or modify existing registrations. VeriSign reserves the right
to restrict your access to the Whois database in its sole discretion to ensure
operational stability. VeriSign may restrict or terminate your access to the
Whois database for failure to abide by these terms of use. VeriSign
reserves the right to modify these terms at any time.
The Registry database contains ONLY .COM, .NET, .EDU domains and
Registrars.
Using server whois.markmonitor.com.
Query string: "microsoft.com"
Domain Name: microsoft.com
Registry Domain ID: 2724960_DOMAIN_COM-VRSN
Registrar WHOIS Server: whois.markmonitor.com
Registrar URL: http://www.markmonitor.com
Updated Date: 2014-10-15T04:00:12-0700
Creation Date: 1991-05-01T21:00:00-0700
Registrar Registration Expiration Date: 2021-05-02T21:00:00-0700
Registrar: MarkMonitor, Inc.
Registrar IANA ID: 292
Registrar Abuse Contact Email: [email protected]
Registrar Abuse Contact Phone: +1.2083895740
Domain Status: clientUpdateProhibited
Domain Status: clientTransferProhibited
Domain Status: clientDeleteProhibited
Registry Registrant ID:
Registrant Name: Domain Administrator
Registrant Organization: Microsoft Corporation
Registrant Street: One Microsoft Way,
Registrant City: Redmond
Registrant State/Province: WA
Registrant Postal Code: 98052
Registrant Country: US
Registrant Phone: +1.4258828080
Registrant Phone Ext:
Registrant Fax: +1.4259367329
Registrant Fax Ext:
Registrant Email: [email protected]
Registry Admin ID:
Admin Name: Domain Administrator
Admin Organization: Microsoft Corporation
Admin Street: One Microsoft Way,
Admin City: Redmond
Admin State/Province: WA
Admin Postal Code: 98052
Admin Country: US
Admin Phone: +1.4258828080
Admin Phone Ext:
Admin Fax: +1.4259367329
Admin Fax Ext:
Admin Email: [email protected]
Registry Tech ID:
Tech Name: MSN Hostmaster
Tech Organization: Microsoft Corporation
Tech Street: One Microsoft Way,
Tech City: Redmond
Tech State/Province: WA
Tech Postal Code: 98052
Tech Country: US
Tech Phone: +1.4258828080
Tech Phone Ext:
Tech Fax: +1.4259367329
Tech Fax Ext:
Tech Email: [email protected]
Name Server: ns4.msft.net
Name Server: ns2.msft.net
Name Server: ns1.msft.net
Name Server: ns3.msft.net
DNSSEC: unsigned
URL of the ICANN WHOIS Data Problem Reporting System: http://wdprs.internic.net/
>>> Last update of WHOIS database: 2014-11-18T08:58:20-0800 <<<
The Data in MarkMonitor.com's WHOIS database is provided by MarkMonitor.com for
information purposes, and to assist persons in obtaining information about or
related to a domain name registration record. MarkMonitor.com does not guarantee
its accuracy. By submitting a WHOIS query, you agree that you will use this Data
only for lawful purposes and that, under no circumstances will you use this Data to:
(1) allow, enable, or otherwise support the transmission of mass unsolicited,
commercial advertising or solicitations via e-mail (spam); or
(2) enable high volume, automated, electronic processes that apply to
MarkMonitor.com (or its systems).
MarkMonitor.com reserves the right to modify these terms at any time.
By submitting this query, you agree to abide by this policy.
MarkMonitor is the Global Leader in Online Brand Protection.
MarkMonitor Domain Management(TM)
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Professional and Managed Services
Visit MarkMonitor at http://www.markmonitor.com
Contact us at +1.8007459229
In Europe, at +44.02032062220
--
Obviously, all of these domains except the last are not actually owned by Microsoft. So, my question is: how exactly does this happen and why I getting responses for a plethora of whois servers? The commonality between the responses shows me that the a search was done somewhere for something like Microsoft.com.*, but where is all this extra information pulled from?
