Often times a crime could have been prevented but for the knowledge about the name and location, it could not. There was a time when it was easy to hide behind curtains and disappear after a crime. With the passing of time, more and more criminals took refuge in the anonymity of internet. They changed their mode of operation to online fraud. And it did become difficult to catch or track them for some time. And this was the time when authorities began to invest in cyber investigations and cybercrime units. They learned to process computer languages and raw data, the importance of online tracking and how to use Whois API to do it.
WhoisAPI who?
It is processed online data, to be precise. Every website leaves behind some data when it is logged on to. This data is captured and processed to find out the name and registered id of the owner. The location and contact details are also traced using this. This data is known as WHOIS data and the processed information that is obtained is Whois API data. Now for an everyday user, whose needs are just limited to browsing and socializing, the need for an API might not be relevant. But for those who are involved in this sector professionally, i.e., website owners, cybercrime units, trademark and copyright authorities etc., it is an integral part of their job description.
- Trademarks and copyright infringement: If you are a hard working coder or developer and you come to know that someone has ripped off your design, your work and are using it as their own without giving you any compensation you would obviously be furious. This is where tracking comes in, you can reach the owner of that site and ask to be compensated or for him to suspend usage of your product.
- Domain names: If there are certain fake domains conducting fraudulent activities over the net, police authorities can track them down using Whois API These are accurate and not possible to fake. Hence, they serve as fool proof material evidence against the accused. It is also put into use to track phishing websites by tracking similar pattern across a number of sites. There is a long list of useful applications that are practiced every day.
- Research and development: Corporate sectors use this to develop their own sites and brand images by learning what their competitors are doing in the market. The list of registered services can be tracked by the name of the owner. This is also used in corporate espionage at some levels.
Cyber world has been made more secure with the presence of stringent laws. Data tracking gives teeth to such authorities and they are able to nab wrongdoers who hid behind the curtain of anonymity for so long.
