> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.abusix.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Getting Started with Abuse Contact DB

## **How do I query the Abuse Contact database?**

The Abuse Contact Database is exposed via [DNS](https://abusix.com/glossary/domain-name-system/).  This means you can send requests to the Abuse Contact DB the same way you would with a [DNSBL](https://abusix.com/glossary/domain-name-system-blocklist/) or any other DNS-based list. This configuration permits a higher volume of queries than would be possible with an HTTP API.

### **IPv4**

To obtain the abuse contact for [IP](https://abusix.com/glossary/internet-protocol-address/) 78.47.241.202, you reverse the octets of the [IP](https://abusix.com/glossary/internet-protocol-address/) address and append “.[abuse-contacts.abusix.zone](http://abuse-contacts.abusix.zone).”

**Example**

```
$ host -t TXT 202.241.47.78.abuse-contacts.abusix.zone.
202.241.47.78.abuse-contacts.abusix.zone descriptive text "abuse@hetzner.de"
```

The response contains the abuse contact in the TXT record.

Multiple results are comma-separated in one TXT record.  If you do not get any result, the range or [IP](https://abusix.com/glossary/internet-protocol-address/) does not exist, or the responsible network owner doesn’t declare an abuse@ role address.

### **IPv6**

[IPv6](https://abusix.com/glossary/internet-protocol-version-6/) queries are also supported but require the lookup to be in “Nibble” format, which is the format used for [IPv6](https://abusix.com/glossary/internet-protocol-version-6/) PTR record lookups.   You can find tools to convert an [IPv6](https://abusix.com/glossary/internet-protocol-version-6/) address to Nibble format online.

To obtain the abuse contact for the [IPv6](https://abusix.com/glossary/internet-protocol-version-6/) address 2a03:b0c0:1:d0::bea:a001:

**Example**

```
$ host -t TXT 1.0.0.a.a.e.b.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.d.0.0.1.0.0.0.0.c.0.b.3.0.a.2.abuse-contacts.abusix.zone.
1.0.0.a.a.e.b.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.d.0.0.1.0.0.0.0.c.0.b.3.0.a.2.abuse-contacts.abusix.zone descriptive text "abuse@digitalocean.com"
```

## **Command-line Tool**

A python-based command-line tool called “*querycontacts*” is available.

The tool provides a library for use in your Python programs.

You can install it via:

```
$ pip install querycontacts
```

```
Use the command "querycontacts <ip address>." This will convert an IP address, the subsequent abuse contact lookup, and return of the abuse@ address.
```

## **Legal Notice**

⚠️ This [DNS](https://abusix.com/glossary/domain-name-system/) query service is provided “as is” and “free” (and may be canceled or changed by the provider at any time) without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to the warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement. In no event shall the providers of this service be liable for any Compensation, claim, damages, or other liability, whether in an action of contract, tort, or otherwise, arising from, out of, or in connection with the service.