Below is a simple explanation of several terms predominant in internet forensics and you‘ll know where you can locate ideal clues regarding a domain name that might be in hiding:
Internet Protocol Address (IP)
Every single PC computer that is linked to an internet connection comes with its own unique address. More like a telephone number and street address. However the IP address comes, in-form of a boring long and intricate string of numbers.
In layman’s language, IP addresses remain rather difficult to grasp and recall. This is where the Domain System kicks in and it makes using the internet an easier task for human beings as it permits words in form of domain name that are used instead of the numerical, arcane IP address.
Users like you and I do not have to type 12.345.678.910 and we simply type in the IP address’s domain name which re-directs us to the main website that we are in-search of and is linked to the domain name.
There exists a possibility in-which one can geo-locate an IP address by utilizing a host of free services that are readily available online.
NOTE: Geo-location is the exercise program that determines the physical and actual location of a person or a computer utilizing info processed and gathered in the web.
Geo-location process can as well offer the City, Zip code or region from whence a person is or has successfully connected to the Web through the device’s IP address or an address for a wireless access points that is close by, the latter wireless access points are common in many coffee shops and internet cafes.
Telling the country that the internet user is situated is quite simple, reason being, a country deserves the information when an IP range is allotted and IP registrars supply the info.
Determining the actual location of an IP address zeroing on the specific city or Zip Code; unfortunately, this is more difficult and not accurate since there is no official information source. In addition, there are certain times when some users share IP addresses and often times ISPs base IP addresses.
Even when no exact, geo-location can at times place users either in a bordering or a city that is close by and this proves to be enough for the investigation.
ICANN
ICANN stands for Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers. This is an institution that has been constituted internationally. ICANN is a non-profitable corporation that has supreme authority for Internet Protocol address space allotment, (gTLD) Generic and (ccTLD) Country Code, root server system management functions and Top Level Domain name system management.
ICANN is a private-public initiative that is purely dedicated for:
- Conservation of the operational firmness of the Internet
- Purposes of promoting lawful and health y competition
- Attaining widespread representation of internet communities world wide
- Developing Policies that nurture these goals
Registrants
A registrant is either an individual or an entity that registers original domain names through Internet Registrars. A registrant is mandated with entering a registering contract with his administrator and this set forth terms in which registration is maintained and accepted.
The registrant’s data is then recorded and kept in various locations including the registry, with the web hosting provider and the registrar.
Registrar
Domain names are registered by specific Registrants via numerous companies that are known as Internet Registrars. A registrar such as GoDaddy, Name-Cheap are huge ICANN accredited Registrars. The approximate number of Accredited Internet Registrars stands at 430.
A whole list of accredited Registrars is featured in the ICANN Accredited Registrar Directory. The Registrar gathers from Registrants and entities a variety of contact and technical info which sums up the official registration record.
The Registrar keeps actual records of the Registrant’s contact information and the collected info is then submitted in a central directory that is named Registry. The central location relays the gathered necessary info with other computers online to send the Registrant e-mail and also for easy Registrant website finding online.