Last updated Sep. 4, 2024
Whois lookup tools are vital for collecting comprehensive information on domains, IP addresses, and other network-related matters. Whether your focus is network administration, cybersecurity, or domain management, having a trustworthy Whois tools on your macOS is a must.
This guide will take you through the steps to install and configure Whois Lookup and Deep Whois on macOS. We'll also share advanced tips and troubleshooting techniques to help you get the most out of your Whois tools.
Let's move forward.
Typically, macOS comes with a built-in Whois utility that allows users to perform basic Whois queries in Terminal. However, if you want to install a more up-to-date version of a basic Whois, you can use a package manager like Homebrew or MacPorts. If you only need Deep Whois, you can skip this step, as Homebrew or MacPorts are not required for its installation.
Homebrew and MacPorts are two of the most popular package managers for macOS. If you already have one of these package managers installed, it's important to update it first to ensure you're getting the latest software versions.
You can update them by running the following commands in the Terminal:
sudo brew update
sudo port -v selfupdate
Updating ensures that you're accessing the latest versions of available packages, which is crucial for a successful installation.
Deep Whois is an essential tool for WHOIS queries, offering advanced features like RDAP and ENS support, access to detailed domain history, and integration with a broader range of WHOIS databases.
These enhancements provide a more comprehensive Whois than the basic tool.
To install or update Deep Whois on macOS, open your Terminal and paste the following command:
bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://deepwhois.net/install.sh)"
The installation script will guide you through each step, asking for your permission before making any changes to your system.
If the Command Line Developer Tools are not yet installed on your macOS, you will be prompted to install them when you start the installation.
Simply follow the on-screen instructions to install these tools using the popup that appears.
Once the installation of the Command Line Developer Tools is complete, restart the Deep Whois installation process to proceed smoothly.
Deep Whois offers customizable color themes to enhance your terminal experience, making it easier to distinguish different types of data during your Whois lookups.
When you first install Deep Whois, the installation script will prompt you to choose a color theme.
Simply follow the on-screen instructions to select from the available themes.
The script will apply your chosen theme automatically once the installation is complete.
If you want to change the color theme after the initial installation, you can easily do so by running the following command in your terminal:
deep-whois -c
You can experiment with different themes to find the one that best suits your preferences, ensuring an optimized and visually pleasing terminal experience with Deep Whois.
The basic WHOIS package is a lightweight command-line tool that provides essential WHOIS lookup functionality.
On macOS, you can install this package using either Homebrew or MacPorts, depending on which package manager you prefer.
If you have Homebrew installed, run the following command in Terminal:
sudo brew install whois
If you prefer MacPorts, use the following command:
sudo port install whois
These commands will install the Whois tool on your system, enabling you to perform basic Whois lookups for domains and IP addresses directly from the terminal.
Now that you've installed the Whois tools, it's time to confirm they're working properly by running a series of commands.
Below are examples of basic, advanced, and pro Whois commands to help you gather data for domains, IP addresses, and more.
Basic Examples:
Domain:
deep-whois binance.com
IPv4 Address:
deep-whois 8.8.8.8
IPv4 Network:
deep-whois 8.8.8.0/24
IPv6 Address:
deep-whois 2a00:1450:401b:800::200e
IPv6 Network:
deep-whois 2a00:1450:4000::/37
Advanced Examples:
Complex Hostname:
deep-whois ns-234.awsdns-29.com
Website URL:
deep-whois https://www.binance.com/en
Email:
deep-whois inquiries@binance.us
RDAP as Primary Source:
deep-whois google.ch
RDAP as Alternative Source:
deep-whois -f @rdap https://rdap.registro.br/domain/google.com.br
Abuse Contacts for a Domain:
deep-whois --no-trace wix.com | grep -i abuse
Abuse Contacts for an IP:
deep-whois --no-trace 8.8.8.8 | grep -i abuse
Pro Examples:
Domain History:
deep-whois @history binance.com
Ethereum ENS Domain:
deep-whois deepwhois.eth
On-Chain DNS from ENS:
deep-whois @ens deepwhois.net
Off-Chain DNS from ENS:
deep-whois @ens opscurum.me
Ethereum Wallet:
deep-whois 0x39B71c705066E23E27B58e8c95405b772C109C22
Ethereum Wallet Address:
deep-whois 0x061C2D865aebe3f2448de246A384Da69d4c6828F
Domain:
whois binance.com
IP Address:
whois 8.8.8.8
These commands help ensure that your Whois tools are installed correctly and ready to provide detailed information on domains, IP addresses, and more.
By following the steps in this guide, you can efficiently install and configure Whois Lookup tools on your macOS system.
Whether you're running basic Whois commands or taking advantage of Deep Whois's advanced features, this guide provides the knowledge you need to conduct in-depth and secure Whois investigations.
For those working in network administration, cybersecurity, or domain management, setting up a robust Whois lookup system on macOS is essential for gathering critical data and making informed choices.