DNS lookup has been popular for quite a while now. However, another type of look up called reverse lookup also exists and is fast gathering popularity. DNS stands for Domain name system of the Internet. Reverse lookups use it to find the root of an IP address. This article answers the question What Is a Reverse Lookup. The first few paragraphs explain the meaning of the term in technical and layman's terms. The latter the main article focuses on the uses of reverse lookups.
What is a Reverse IP Lookup? Reverse DNS lookup involves finding the domain name associated with an IP address. These are sets of four numbers which fall in the range of 0 to 255 and are separated by periods. Each computer has a unique IP address, much like social security numbers for humans. A reverse look up involves feeding this address into a database, which then matches it against an accumulation domain name registries and realizes the particular registry registry associated with that particular IP address. The Internet's reverse DNS database is based in the Address and Routing Parameter Area (arpa) highest level domain of the internet. IP addresses are of two types namely, IPv4 and IPv6. Reverse lookups for both of these involve using different techniques as they both have special domains. Although reverse searches work for almost all IP inputs but their credibility is not assured because spammers may disguise their IP addresses. Also, it doesn't work for all IP addresses because just like unlisted telephone numbers, unlisted IP addresses have no visible registries attached to them.
You can also feed a person's email id or any other specification to get a full report of that person. This usually involves, home address, home phone numbers, work address, work phone numbers, supplementary emails and even family details in some cases. This kind of reverse look up is available through a number of websites.
This method has several uses. You can use it to find out a spammer's or a phisher's domain name. It also comes in handy when trying to determine the computer that is trying to infiltrate your firewall. Hackers can alos be located applying this technique.
Drawing to a conclusion, reverse lookup is tracking of the domain registry by using a known input. Casual lookups can help you find the personal details of a person from his/her email. However, these may not always work or provide reliable results.
