WhoisXML API Blog

Cybersecurity in 2025 and Beyond: Top Predictions

Change is the only constant in this world, and cybersecurity is no exception to that rule. While no one can know for sure what will happen in 2025 and the years to come, one thing is certain: organizations must adapt to new cybersecurity trends to keep pace with peers and adversaries alike.

For one, organizations will need to employ a proactive and integrated approach to cybersecurity this year due to the forecasted growth of high-impact artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled threats. While this strategy has been peeking around the corner in the past few years, it will take the frontline in 2025.

WhoisXML API presents this and other cybersecurity predictions, covering both emerging cyber threats and the strategies required to address them, to help organizations prepare for future challenges.

ICANN's WHOIS Port 43 Shutdown: What It Means for You

Written by Ching Chiao, Head of APAC and Global Data Partnership & Alexandre François, Product Marketing Director
WhoisXML API

On January 28, 2025, ICANN (the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) will officially sunset the WHOIS Port 43 services. This decision marks a pivotal moment for the cybersecurity industry, domain registries, and anyone who relies on domain data for operational or investigative purposes. But what does this change mean, and how will it impact the broader ecosystem?

First Watch Meets Web Categorization: Predictive Exploratory Insights on Malicious Domains

Author: Ed Gibbs
Editor: Alexandre François

Abstract

Domain categorization is an essential component of cybersecurity, enabling businesses and security solutions to identify and mitigate threats at the network level. Certain categories are especially relevant for flagging confirmed malicious websites, which may be hosted on domain names that First Watch Malicious Domains Data Feed can detect even before they are weaponized.

The feed leverages deep learning and proprietary techniques to identify suspicious domains at the time of registration. Its threat prevention effectiveness is continually assessed, offering users assurance when deciding whether to preemptively block or closely monitor the domains listed in the feed’s files.

In our latest analysis, we explored a dataset of 477,082 domains collected from the feed, using a reputable web categorization service provided by a renowned cybersecurity organization to classify them. Of these, 50,436 domains were successfully categorized, with notable classifications such as malicious (5,219), pornography (2,843), gambling (1,725), and phishing (366). This study applies advanced statistical methods to identify patterns, highlight potential biases in detection, and propose areas for improving categorization algorithms.

December 2024: Domain Activity Highlights

The WhoisXML API research team analyzed 7.9+ million domains registered between 1 and 31 December 2024 to identify the most popular registrars, top-level domain (TLD) extensions, and other global domain registration trends.

We also determined the top TLD extensions used by 60.1+ billion domains from our DNS database’s A record full file released in the same month.

Next, we studied the top TLDs of 1.3+ million domains detected as indicators of compromise (IoCs) in December.

Finally, we summed up our findings and provided links to the threat reports produced using DNS, IP, and domain intelligence sources during the period.

November 2024: Domain Activity Highlights

The WhoisXML API research team analyzed 8.2 million domains registered between 1 and 30 November 2024 to identify the most popular registrars, top-level domain (TLD) extensions, and other global domain registration trends.

We also determined the top TLD extensions used by 59.6 billion domains from our DNS database’s A record full file released in the same month.

Next, we studied the top TLDs of 1.1 million domains detected as indicators of compromise (IoCs) in November.

Finally, we summed up our findings and provided links to the threat reports produced using DNS, IP, and domain intelligence sources during the period.

Our Passive DNS APIs Are Now Enriched with Wildcard and Active Output Parameters

We are thrilled to announce that several of our APIs have been upgraded to include new data points, namely, wildcard and active. In particular, both fields are now optional output parameters for Reverse IP API, Reverse DNS API, Reverse MX API, and Reverse NS API. Our newly launched DNS Chronicle API, meanwhile, has a wildcard field as part of its default output format.

With the new wildcard field, WhoisXML API users can now:

WhoisXML API Unveils First Watch Malicious Domains Data Feed with 97% Predictive Precision

We are excited to introduce First Watch Malicious Domains Data Feed, the newest addition to our predictive threat intelligence product line. This innovative solution is designed to enhance early threat detection and response by identifying substantially more malicious domains than traditional feeds, right at the point of registration.

First Watch Malicious Domains Data Feed offers several key advantages for cybersecurity teams, whether they are part of in-house Security Operations Centers (SOCs) or Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs).

Decoding the Encoded

Authors:
Ed Gibbs, Field CTO, WHOIS API Inc.
Jeff Vogelpohl

Introduction

Growing up, I remember the vast array of candies and ice cream flavors while visiting quaint candy shops. Today, we’re overwhelmed by the plethora of technologies any imaginative person could want – thanks to the provocativeness of human ingenuity. As flavors were designed for these memories of delightful treats, this same ingenuity has brought technological advancements like AI to aid and improve all life whereas some provide just the opposite. Our adversaries continuously exploit and weaponize our ingenuity to degrade life. Life is worth protecting.