WHOIS
WHOIS is a public directory that stores registration information about domain names. When someone registers a domain name (like "example.com"), they are required to provide certain identifying details, which are often made available in the WHOIS database.
Here's a more detailed breakdown in the context of cybersecurity:
Data Stored: WHOIS records typically contain information such as:
Registrant contact information (name, address, email, phone number)
Domain name registrar
Registration and expiration dates of the domain
Name servers associated with the domain
Accessibility: Historically, WHOIS data was largely publicly accessible. However, due to privacy concerns and regulations like GDPR, access to full WHOIS records has become more restricted. Many registrars now offer privacy services that mask the registrant's personal information, replacing it with generic contact details.
Cybersecurity Relevance: WHOIS data is relevant to cybersecurity for several reasons:
Reconnaissance: Attackers may use WHOIS to gather information about a target organization, such as contact details or network infrastructure information (name servers), which can aid in planning attacks.
Attack Attribution: In some cases, WHOIS data can help security professionals identify the owners of malicious domains involved in attacks.
Domain Abuse: WHOIS information can be used to investigate and address domain abuse, such as phishing or spam.
Brand Protection: Organizations may use WHOIS to monitor for unauthorized domain registrations that could be used for brand impersonation or other malicious purposes.
It's important to note that the privacy restrictions on WHOIS data have changed how it is used in cybersecurity. While it can still be a valuable source of information, its reliability and availability have decreased in some cases.
ThreatNG provides capabilities that leverage and analyze WHOIS data to enhance security assessments.
ThreatNG's external discovery process identifies an organization's domain names, the basis for WHOIS records. This initial step establishes the scope for WHOIS-related analysis.
ThreatNG's external assessment modules incorporate WHOIS data to provide context and identify potential security risks:
Domain Intelligence: ThreatNG's Domain Intelligence module includes WHOIS intelligence. It can analyze WHOIS records to provide information about domain ownership, registration dates, and contact information. This data can be valuable for:
Identifying potentially suspicious domain registrations.
Correlating domain ownership with other security findings.
Understanding the history and background of a domain.
Brand Damage Susceptibility: WHOIS data, particularly information about newly registered or lookalike domains, can be used to assess the risk of brand impersonation or phishing attacks.
ThreatNG's reporting capabilities can include information derived from WHOIS data, presented in a clear and actionable format. This helps security teams understand the potential security implications of WHOIS information.
Changes in WHOIS data, such as changes to registrant information or contact details, can sometimes indicate suspicious activity. ThreatNG's continuous monitoring can detect these changes and alert security teams.
ThreatNG's investigation modules, specifically the Domain Intelligence module, provide tools for in-depth analysis of WHOIS data. This allows security teams to investigate domain ownership, registration history, and other related information.
ThreatNG's intelligence repositories may include data that can be correlated with WHOIS information, such as threat intelligence about malicious actors who frequently use specific domain registration patterns.
Working with Complementary Solutions
ThreatNG's WHOIS data can be integrated with other security solutions to enhance their capabilities:
SIEM: ThreatNG's findings related to suspicious WHOIS information can be fed into a SIEM system to correlate them with other security events and trigger alerts.
Threat Intelligence Platforms: WHOIS data can be shared with threat intelligence platforms to enrich intelligence feeds and improve threat detection.
Examples of ThreatNG Helping
ThreatNG identifies a newly registered domain with a WHOIS record resembling the organization's domain, indicating a potential phishing attempt.
ThreatNG's analysis of WHOIS data reveals that a domain used in a cyberattack is registered with suspicious or incomplete information.
Examples of ThreatNG Working with Complementary Solutions
ThreatNG's WHOIS findings trigger an alert in a SIEM system when a domain with a history of malicious activity is detected.
WHOIS data from ThreatNG is used to enrich threat intelligence feeds, improving threat detection accuracy.
In summary, ThreatNG uses WHOIS data to provide valuable context for security assessments, identify potential threats, and enhance overall security posture.
