What is the WHOIS of a domain and what information does it show?

Status (WHOIS)	Meaning	What you can do
ok	The domain is active and operational. It is the normal status after a correct registration or renewal.	Use the website and email normally. Renew before its expiration date.
clientTransferProhibited	The domain is active but locked for transfers to another registrar.	Unlock the domain from the panel before initiating a transfer.
clientDeleteProhibited	Prevents deleting the domain while it is active. Usually combined with other locks.	Remove the lock if you want to delete or transfer the domain.
clientUpdateProhibited	Does not allow modifying the domain data (contacts or DNS) while the lock is active.	Unlock it to update information or make technical changes.
clientHold	The domain has expired and is inactive. Corresponds to the “Grace Period”.	Renew it at the normal price to make it active again.
redemptionPeriod	The domain is still expired, in the “Redemption Period”.	Recover it by paying an additional restoration fee.
pendingDelete	Last phase of the life cycle: the domain will be deleted and released shortly.	Cannot be renewed or recovered. Wait for it to be free to register it again.

Registration, renewal, and expiration dates

Here you can see when the domain was registered, when it was renewed, and when it expires.

• Creation/Created → domain registration date.
• Updated/Last Update → last modification (e.g., DNS change, contact).
• Expiration/Record expires → expiration date (how long the active period lasts).

Sometimes you will see two expiration references:

1. The registry one (who manages the extension).
2. The registrar one (your provider; in cdmon, 10DenceHispahard S.L.U.).

➡️ Trust the registrar’s date (the one listed below). It is the one that applies to your real renewal service.

Registrar and responsible entity

Identifies who actually manages a domain; the registrar is the accredited company that registers your domain with the registry (the entity that manages each extension, like .com, .es, .cat…). The registrar handles registrations, renewals, transfers, and contacts/DNS.

How you see it in WHOIS:

• Registrar → name of the registrar company.
• Registrar WHOIS Server → WHOIS server of the registrar.
• Registrar URL → reference website of the registrar.

In cdmon domains:

• Registrar: 10DenceHispahard S.L.U.
• You will also see the WHOIS server and the URL of the registrar associated with cdmon.

Private WHOIS: what it is and what are its advantages

Since the implementation of the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), the personal data appearing in WHOIS is no longer publicly available in a generalized way.

This means that, even if you check a domain, you will not always see the name or email of its owner: each registry decides what information to show or anonymize according to the law and its own privacy policies.

Even so, at cdmon we offer the possibility of activating the private WHOIS service, an additional layer of protection for your data when the domain extension allows it.

👉 In summary, private WHOIS replaces personal data (name, address, email) with generic data from cdmon. You still receive all important notices, but your information does not appear visible in WHOIS searches.

Differences between public WHOIS and private WHOIS

Aspect	Public WHOIS	Private WHOIS
Visibility of personal data	Limited by law. Each registry decides what information to show (name, email, or country of the owner).	All personal data is replaced with generic information from cdmon.
GDPR compliance	Automatic, managed by the registry of each extension.	Total: completely hides personal data and maintains legal compliance.
User control	Not configurable: depends on the registry.	Manual activation or deactivation from the cdmon Control Panel.
Protection against spam	Partial. Some registries still show emails or indirect contact forms.	Complete. The real emails of the owner are not published or redirected.
Compatibility	Automatic in all extensions under European regulations.	Available in most generic domains (.com, .net, .org, .info, .biz…) and compatible with GDPR.
Cost	Included by default (no additional option).	Free in cdmon. It can be activated or deactivated at any time.
Privacy level	Medium: limited data visible according to the registry’s policy.	High: completely hides the owner’s identity in WHOIS queries.

Why activate private WHOIS if GDPR already protects my data?

GDPR prevents your personal data from being published without a legal basis, but does not prevent registries from showing certain contact or technical information. Also, outside the EU, many extensions (like .com, .net, .org, .tv, etc.) are not required to apply the same restrictions.

Activating private WHOIS provides you with:

• 🔒 Enhanced privacy. Even in global extensions, your data is not visible.
• 📩 Protection against spam. Prevents bots from collecting your email from WHOIS.
• 🌍 International coverage. Also applies if you manage domains outside the European scope.
• 💸 Free and reversible. You can activate or deactivate it at any time from your Control Panel.

Limitations and exceptions by domain extension

Each registry defines its own rules. Some examples:

• .es, .eu, .tel, .mx → do not allow third-party managed private WHOIS.
• .cat → only allows it if the owner is a natural person.
• .com, .net, .org, .info, .biz, etc. → allow private WHOIS without restrictions.

Practical use cases of WHOIS

WHOIS is not just a curiosity. Although since the arrival of the GDPR most personal data is no longer publicly displayed, WHOIS remains a very useful tool for verifying, investigating, or checking technical information about domains.

Below we show you when and what WHOIS is still used for 👇

Verification of domain ownership

When you need to prove that a domain is yours, the information in WHOIS remains the official reference. Although personal data may be hidden, the registrar (for example, cdmon) can confirm ownership. In cdmon it is as easy as accessing your Control Panel and following the steps in this guide: Generate domain ownership document.

Resolution of disputes and conflicts (ICANN, UDRP)

In cases of disputes over trademarks or domain names, the competent entities (such as ICANN or UDRP panels) consult WHOIS records to identify the owner, even if the information is not publicly visible. Authorities can access verified data through the registrar, always respecting data protection.

Detection of abuses, spam, or frauds

Currently, each domain includes an abuse contact, managed by the registrar or registry, which allows reporting incidents related to:

• Sending spam or fraudulent emails.
• Identity theft (phishing).
• Publication of illegal or malicious content.

Additionally, in a WHOIS query, you can review technical data such as:

• The creation and expiration dates, useful for identifying newly registered domains or with irregular activity.
• The DNS servers, which help detect suspicious patterns or providers.

💡 If you detect a domain that might be involved in abuse, always contact the registrar indicated in the “Registrar Abuse Contact Email” field. In the case of domains managed by cdmon, you can report it through our official support channels.

Checking the availability of a domain

The WHOIS query also allows you to see if a domain is free, active, or expired, along with its registration and expiration dates. If it appears as «Domain Available», it means that you can register it.

How to check WHOIS in cdmon step by step

Checking WHOIS from cdmon is quick, free, and does not require registration.

Access to the WHOIS tool

1. Go to the WHOIS search engine of cdmon.
2. Enter the domain name (for example, mydomain.com).
3. Click “Search”.

In seconds you will see a file with all the public data.

Practical example of a query

Frequently asked questions about WHOIS

Is it free to check WHOIS?

Yes. You can check the WHOIS of any domain for free from cdmon, without needing to register.

Can all the information of a domain be hidden?

Not completely. Private WHOIS hides your personal data (name, email, address), but some technical data, like DNS or domain status, must always be shown.

Why do some domains not allow private WHOIS?

Because each extension (.es, .eu, etc.) has its own regulations. Some require certain information to be public for legal or transparency reasons.

Does WHOIS affect the SEO or ranking of my website?

No. Google does not use WHOIS data as a ranking factor. However, keeping your data protected prevents spam and possible frauds, which does improve your overall security.

What happens if I don’t update my WHOIS data?

ICANN requires the information to be real and updated. If the data is false, your domain can be suspended. Each year you will receive an automatic message from ICANN to review that your data is still correct. Always keep your data up to date from your Control Panel.

Conclusion: the importance of protecting your data with private WHOIS

WHOIS has changed a lot recently. Since the entry into force of the GDPR, the personal data of domain owners is no longer public by default, which has improved privacy and protection against spam.

Even so, WHOIS remains a fundamental tool to understand and manage domains:

• Allows verifying the ownership of a domain before official bodies or registrars.
• Facilitates contacting the responsible registrar through the abuse contact channels if improper use is detected.
• And, of course, it remains the fastest way to check if a domain is free or expired.

At cdmon, we also offer you an extra layer of security with our free private WHOIS, which completely hides your personal data —even in global extensions— while you continue to receive all notifications and comply with current regulations.