how do I make use of 'whois'

Hi there, this is my first post.

Atm i'm having problems using whois (basic i know)...I'm using mandrake 9.2 with all the crap deleted and using a plain tty terminal thing. I type ' whois "yahoo."@whois.crsnic.net
and all I get is 'object not recognised' (or something along those lines.) I know I could just use nmap or watever to scan a range of ips but i want to learn from the ground up. i.e. find what servers are up and other potential useful info. So could someone shed some light onto my problem.

thanks in advance.

phileas fog.

Try only whois yahoo.com :)

I have "whois" aliased to "whois -h geektools.com". Geektools has this cool proxy that automatically uses the right registrar, which saves you a step.

Try only whois yahoo.com :)

ok, i don't think I made my post very clear.

alright, i'm looking at a book called hacking exposed (yeah, laugh i'm a noob :o )and it says if i type: " whois "yahoo.com"@whois.alldomains.com " <--(I made this one up) i should get some info, however all i get is "no whois server is known for this kind of object". I would like to know how to fix this problem and why etc...

thanks.

Try dropping the quotes. Worked for me w/quotes, not without.

you made your post clear. but the answer is still:

whois yahoo.com

im using the cygwin port of whois. which should be the same one your using.

here's what i get:

Whois Server Version 1.3

Domain names in the .com and .net domains can now be registered
with many different competing registrars. Go to http://www.internic.net
for detailed information.

Server Name: YAHOO.COM.WANADOODOO.COM
IP Address: 62.212.98.156
Registrar: GANDI
Whois Server: whois.gandi.net
Referral URL: http://www.gandi.net

Server Name: YAHOO.COM.TWIXTEARS.COM
IP Address: 66.218.71.205
Registrar: DOTSTER, INC.
Whois Server: whois.dotster.com
Referral URL: http://www.dotster.com

Server Name: YAHOO.COM.TW
Registrar: GO DADDY SOFTWARE, INC.
Whois Server: whois.godaddy.com
Referral URL: http://registrar.godaddy.com

Server Name: YAHOO.COM.SG
Registrar: DOTSTER, INC.
Whois Server: whois.dotster.com
Referral URL: http://www.dotster.com

Server Name: YAHOO.COM.PURRFURRED.COM
IP Address: 66.218.71.205
Registrar: DOTSTER, INC.
Whois Server: whois.dotster.com
Referral URL: http://www.dotster.com

Server Name: YAHOO.COM.OPTIONSCORNER.COM
IP Address: 66.218.71.205
Registrar: NAMESDIRECT.COM, INC.
Whois Server: whois.namesdirect.com
Referral URL: http://www.namesdirect.com

Server Name: YAHOO.COM.IS.N0T.AS.1337.AS.SEARCH.GULLI.COM
IP Address: 80.190.192.24
Registrar: GANDI
Whois Server: whois.gandi.net
Referral URL: http://www.gandi.net

Server Name: YAHOO.COM.BR
Registrar: ENOM, INC.
Whois Server: whois.enom.com
Referral URL: http://www.enom.com

Server Name: YAHOO.COM.BERKELEYNATURALBEAUTIES.COM
IP Address: 66.218.71.205
Registrar: ALLDOMAINS.COM INC.
Whois Server: whois.alldomains.com
Referral URL: http://www.alldomains.com

Server Name: YAHOO.COM.AU
Registrar: WILD WEST DOMAINS, INC.
Whois Server: whois.wildwestdomains.com
Referral URL: http://www.wildwestdomains.com

Domain Name: YAHOO.COM
Registrar: ALLDOMAINS.COM INC.
Whois Server: whois.alldomains.com
Referral URL: http://www.alldomains.com
Name Server: NS1.YAHOO.COM
Name Server: NS5.YAHOO.COM
Name Server: NS2.YAHOO.COM
Name Server: NS3.YAHOO.COM
Name Server: NS4.YAHOO.COM
Status: REGISTRAR-LOCK
Updated Date: 20-oct-2003
Creation Date: 18-jan-1995
Expiration Date: 19-jan-2012

>>> Last update of whois database: Tue, 21 Oct 2003 06:21:54 EDT <<<

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.

Found crsnic referral to whois.alldomains.com.

Alldomains.com - The Leader in Corporate Domain Management
----------------------------------------------------------
For Global Domain Consolidation, Research & Intelligence,
and Enterprise DNS, go to: www.alldomains.com/corp/
----------------------------------------------------------

The Data in Alldomains.com's WHOIS database is provided by Alldomains.com
for information purposes, and to assist persons in obtaining information
about or related to a domain name registration record. Alldomains.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 Alldomains.com (or its systems).
Alldomains.com reserves the right to modify these terms at any time.
By submitting this query, you agree to abide by this policy.

Registrant:
Yahoo! Inc.
(DOM-272993)
701 First Avenue
Sunnyvale
CA
94089
US

Domain Name: yahoo.com

Registrar Name: Alldomains.com
Registrar Whois: whois.alldomains.com
Registrar Homepage: http://www.alldomains.com

Administrative Contact:
Domain Administrator
(NIC-1382062)
Yahoo! Inc.
701 First Avenue
Sunnyvale
CA
94089
US
[email protected]
+1.4083493300
Fax- +1.4083493301
Technical Contact, Zone Contact:
Domain Administrator
(NIC-1372925)
Yahoo! Inc.
701 First Avenue
Sunnyvale
CA
94089
US
[email protected]
+1.4083493300
Fax- +1.4083493301

Created on..............: 1995-Jan-18.
Expires on..............: 2012-Jan-19.
Record last updated on..: 2003-Apr-07 10:42:46.

Domain servers in listed order:

NS4.YAHOO.COM 63.250.206.138
NS5.YAHOO.COM 216.109.116.17
NS1.YAHOO.COM 66.218.71.63
NS2.YAHOO.COM 66.163.169.170
NS3.YAHOO.COM 217.12.4.104

Alldomains.com - The Leader in Corporate Domain Management
----------------------------------------------------------
For Global Domain Consolidation, Research & Intelligence,
and Enterprise DNS, go to: www.alldomains.com/corp/
----------------------------------------------------------

Quote:

Originally posted here by philias.fog.
ok, i don't think I made my post very clear.

alright, i'm looking at a book called hacking exposed (yeah, laugh i'm a noob :o )and it says if i type: " whois "yahoo.com"@whois.alldomains.com " <--(I made this one up) i should get some info, however all i get is "no whois server is known for this kind of object". I would like to know how to fix this problem and why etc...

Try whois -h whois.alldomains.com yahoo.com

Some implementations of whois use different switches/options for certain functions. Type man whois on your system to find the correct ones.

ah great, thanks, i'll try the suggestions