Verifying against the live site and live WHOIS/DNS…
Common questions
Is aqua.org legit or a scam?
aqua.org was registered Aug 12, 1996 (30 years old), per public registration records. AboutUs doesn't label sites "legit" or "a scam": this page lists the dated registration, DNS, HTTPS, mail-authentication and safety checks we could verify, each with its source, so you can decide for yourself.
Who owns aqua.org?
Nobody has completed AboutUs's owner verification for aqua.org. That's true of most sites here — it isn't itself a warning sign.
When was aqua.org registered?
aqua.org's registration dates to Aug 12, 1996 (30 years old), per public registration records. Network Solutions, LLC is the registrar on record today.
Checked in the last 30 daysOlder, dated recordFrom registration records
Registered 30 years ago · on AboutUs since 2006 · 1 registrar change since Oct 31, 2011 · 2 ownership changes since 2011 · last checked Sep 28, 2026.
Registration
RegisteredAug 12, 1996aqua.org was registered on Aug 12, 1996.Source: RDAP, fetched Sep 27, 2026
AboutUs record
AboutUs wiki pageAboutUs wiki pageJun 19, 2006 – Apr 7, 2014An AboutUs wiki page described aqua.org from Jun 19, 2006 to Apr 7, 2014 (4 edits).Source: AboutUs wiki archive, 2006–2023Said about itself in 2006
Registrar
Network Solutions LLC (R63-LROR)Oct 31, 2011Registrar Network Solutions LLC (R63-LROR) in the registration data recorded on Oct 31, 2011.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is)Network Solutions, LLC
Ownership
Ownership recordsOct 31, 2011 – Jun 20, 2026Registration records for aqua.org are held from Oct 31, 2011 to Jun 20, 2026 (109 records). 2 changes of registrant name or organization are marked. Privacy-service and redaction changes are not counted.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is); counted by registrant name and organization only
Zone file
No nameserver records held, Dec 2016 – Dec 2017Nameservers: toad.netNameservers: toad.netOct 31, 2011 – Dec 3, 2016Registration records listed toad.net nameservers (beast.toad.net, sushi.toad.net) for aqua.org from Oct 31, 2011 to Dec 3, 2016.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Certificate
DigiCert IncDigiCert IncSep 14, 2025 – Oct 26, 2026 (latest)DigiCert Inc issued 9 certificates for aqua.org from Sep 14, 2025, the latest valid until May 5, 2027. Seen in use on Sep 28, 2026.Source: Certificate Transparency logs (AboutUs's own certificate-log reader); TLS check, Sep 28, 2026Amazon
200020102020Jan ’26Oct ’26← last 12 months, drawn wider
Every dated fact on this lifeline (19)
Aug 12, 1996Registration: aqua.org was registered on Aug 12, 1996.Source: RDAP, fetched Sep 27, 2026
Jun 19, 2006 – Apr 7, 2014AboutUs record: An AboutUs wiki page described aqua.org from Jun 19, 2006 to Apr 7, 2014 (4 edits).Source: AboutUs wiki archive, 2006–2023
Jul 1, 2006AboutUs record: “Information about the Baltimore Aquarium's animals, exhibits, conservation efforts, and the institution itself. Some interactive games for kids of all ages to try out.”Source: AboutUs wiki archive, 2006
Oct 31, 2011Registrar: Registrar Network Solutions LLC (R63-LROR) in the registration data recorded on Oct 31, 2011.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is)
Oct 31, 2011 – Jun 20, 2026Ownership: Registration records for aqua.org are held from Oct 31, 2011 to Jun 20, 2026 (109 records). 2 changes of registrant name or organization are marked. Privacy-service and redaction changes are not counted.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is); counted by registrant name and organization only
Oct 31, 2011 – Dec 3, 2016Zone file: Registration records listed toad.net nameservers (beast.toad.net, sushi.toad.net) for aqua.org from Oct 31, 2011 to Dec 3, 2016.
All 4 safety checks passed (Oct 26, 2026).
Automated safety checks
DNS (passed)
HTTPS (passed)
Page metadata (passed)
Security headers (passed)
Current facts
Latest available measurements; dated entries retain their dates. These are measurements, not an endorsement of the site.
latest result
Domain registered Aug 12, 1996 — 30 years old.
latest result
Registrar on record: Network Solutions, LLC — unchanged since AboutUs began tracking (Aug 20, 2026).
Jul 1, 2006
“Information about the Baltimore Aquarium's animals, exhibits, conservation efforts, and the institution itself. Some interactive games for kids of all ages to try out.”
Source: AboutUs wiki archive, 2006
Current AboutUs recordJun 25, 2026 – Aug 22, 2026 (latest)Authority and Safety last refreshed Aug 22, 2026.Source: AboutUs checks
Network Solutions, LLC
Jul 24, 2016 – Oct 5, 2026 (latest)
Registrar Network Solutions, LLC (IANA 2) in the registration data recorded, first on Jul 24, 2016 and most recently on Oct 5, 2026.
Source: RDAP, fetched Sep 27, 2026
Ownership change
Jul 3, 2020
The registrant name or organization in the registration record changed; first recorded Jul 3, 2020. Who it changed to is in the full report.
Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is); counted by registrant name and organization only
Ownership changeJul 17, 2022The registrant name or organization in the registration record changed; first recorded Jul 17, 2022. Who it changed to is in the full report.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is); counted by registrant name and organization only
2 ownership changes, 2011–2026
Nameservers: Oracle DynDec 15, 2017 – Feb 17, 2019Registration records listed Oracle Dyn nameservers (ns1.p01.dynect.net, ns2.p01.dynect.net, ns3.p01.dynect.net…) for aqua.org from Dec 15, 2017 to Feb 17, 2019.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
DNS moved to Oracle DynDec 15, 2017aqua.org's nameservers moved from toad.net to Oracle Dyn at some point between Dec 3, 2016 and Dec 15, 2017. Last seen at toad.net: Dec 3, 2016 (registration record). First seen at Oracle Dyn: Dec 15, 2017 (registration record). AboutUs holds no nameserver records for the 12 months in between, so the date of the move is not known more closely.Source: Derived from the nameserver records on this lifeline (registration record → registration record)
Nameservers: Microsoft Azure DNSNameservers: Microsoft Azure DNSAug 23, 2019 – Jun 20, 2026Registration records listed Microsoft Azure DNS nameservers (ns1-09.azure-dns.com, ns2-09.azure-dns.net, ns3-09.azure-dns.org…) for aqua.org from Aug 23, 2019 to Jun 20, 2026.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
DNS moved to Microsoft Azure DNSAug 23, 2019aqua.org's nameservers moved from Oracle Dyn to Microsoft Azure DNS at some point between Feb 17, 2019 and Aug 23, 2019. Last seen at Oracle Dyn: Feb 17, 2019 (registration record). First seen at Microsoft Azure DNS: Aug 23, 2019 (registration record). AboutUs holds no nameserver records for the 6 months in between, so the date of the move is not known more closely.Source: Derived from the nameserver records on this lifeline (registration record → registration record)
Seen in the .org zone fileJul 28, 2026First seen in the .org zone file records AboutUs holds on Jul 28, 2026; latest sighting Jul 28, 2026.Source: ICANN CZDS zone file
AmazonJan 7, 2026 – Oct 26, 2026Amazon issued 1 certificate for aqua.org from Jan 7, 2026, the latest valid until Feb 5, 2027.Source: Certificate Transparency logs (AboutUs's own certificate-log reader)
Let's EncryptMar 21, 2026 – Oct 26, 2026Let's Encrypt issued 21 certificates for aqua.org from Mar 21, 2026, the latest valid until Dec 18, 2026.Source: Certificate Transparency logs (AboutUs's own certificate-log reader)
Google Trust ServicesJun 27, 2026 – Oct 26, 2026Google Trust Services issued 4 certificates for aqua.org from Jun 27, 2026, the latest valid until Jan 21, 2027.Source: Certificate Transparency logs (AboutUs's own certificate-log reader)
Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Jul 24, 2016 – Oct 5, 2026Registrar: Registrar Network Solutions, LLC (IANA 2) in the registration data recorded, first on Jul 24, 2016 and most recently on Oct 5, 2026.Source: RDAP, fetched Sep 27, 2026
Dec 15, 2017 – Feb 17, 2019Zone file: Registration records listed Oracle Dyn nameservers (ns1.p01.dynect.net, ns2.p01.dynect.net, ns3.p01.dynect.net…) for aqua.org from Dec 15, 2017 to Feb 17, 2019.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Dec 15, 2017Zone file: aqua.org's nameservers moved from toad.net to Oracle Dyn at some point between Dec 3, 2016 and Dec 15, 2017. Last seen at toad.net: Dec 3, 2016 (registration record). First seen at Oracle Dyn: Dec 15, 2017 (registration record). AboutUs holds no nameserver records for the 12 months in between, so the date of the move is not known more closely.Source: Derived from the nameserver records on this lifeline (registration record → registration record)
Aug 23, 2019 – Jun 20, 2026Zone file: Registration records listed Microsoft Azure DNS nameservers (ns1-09.azure-dns.com, ns2-09.azure-dns.net, ns3-09.azure-dns.org…) for aqua.org from Aug 23, 2019 to Jun 20, 2026.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Aug 23, 2019Zone file: aqua.org's nameservers moved from Oracle Dyn to Microsoft Azure DNS at some point between Feb 17, 2019 and Aug 23, 2019. Last seen at Oracle Dyn: Feb 17, 2019 (registration record). First seen at Microsoft Azure DNS: Aug 23, 2019 (registration record). AboutUs holds no nameserver records for the 6 months in between, so the date of the move is not known more closely.Source: Derived from the nameserver records on this lifeline (registration record → registration record)
Jul 3, 2020Ownership: The registrant name or organization in the registration record changed; first recorded Jul 3, 2020. Who it changed to is in the full report.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is); counted by registrant name and organization only
Jul 17, 2022Ownership: The registrant name or organization in the registration record changed; first recorded Jul 17, 2022. Who it changed to is in the full report.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is); counted by registrant name and organization only
Sep 14, 2025 – Oct 26, 2026Certificate: DigiCert Inc issued 9 certificates for aqua.org from Sep 14, 2025, the latest valid until May 5, 2027. Seen in use on Sep 28, 2026.Source: Certificate Transparency logs (AboutUs's own certificate-log reader); TLS check, Sep 28, 2026
Jan 7, 2026 – Oct 26, 2026Certificate: Amazon issued 1 certificate for aqua.org from Jan 7, 2026, the latest valid until Feb 5, 2027.Source: Certificate Transparency logs (AboutUs's own certificate-log reader)
Mar 21, 2026 – Oct 26, 2026Certificate: Let's Encrypt issued 21 certificates for aqua.org from Mar 21, 2026, the latest valid until Dec 18, 2026.Source: Certificate Transparency logs (AboutUs's own certificate-log reader)
Jun 25, 2026 – Aug 22, 2026AboutUs record: Authority and Safety last refreshed Aug 22, 2026.Source: AboutUs checks
Jun 27, 2026 – Oct 26, 2026Certificate: Google Trust Services issued 4 certificates for aqua.org from Jun 27, 2026, the latest valid until Jan 21, 2027.Source: Certificate Transparency logs (AboutUs's own certificate-log reader)
Jul 28, 2026Zone file: First seen in the .org zone file records AboutUs holds on Jul 28, 2026; latest sighting Jul 28, 2026.Source: ICANN CZDS zone file
Authority 59/100— ahead of 59% of the August 2026 scored sampleClear
Why this authority score
59 is a percentile: higher than 59% of sites we score.
How it's calculated
Prominence (Tranco rank #111,297)+7
Verified continuity: 30.2 years (RDAP registration)+11
Security & email hygiene+3
Calibration adjustment (published map)+10
Model score: 31/99 — what these reason lines add up to.
Published Authority (percentile): 59/100 — this site's rank against the August 2026 scored sample. Public Authority is capped at 99.
Safety evidence
No unexpired threat-feed result; name-similarity check available (recorded about 65 days ago); 3/3 transport and email checks available (oldest recorded about 65 days ago). This is evidence coverage, not a probability that a website is safe.
No caution flags in the available scoring observations; this is not a complete safety assessment
What aqua.org said about itself, 2006
Quoted from the site's AboutUs wiki page in each year it changed (1 version). These are the page's own words at the time, not AboutUs's assessment. New words · dropped words
2006
Information about the Baltimore Aquarium's animals, exhibits, conservation efforts, and the institution itself. Some interactive games for kids of all ages to try out.
Site history
Dated record — historical facts always carry their date.