Verifying against the live site and live WHOIS/DNS…
Common questions
Is tomshardware.com legit or a scam?
tomshardware.com was registered Sep 11, 1997 (29 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 tomshardware.com?
Nobody has completed AboutUs's owner verification for tomshardware.com. That's true of most sites here — it isn't itself a warning sign.
When was tomshardware.com registered?
tomshardware.com's registration dates to Sep 11, 1997 (29 years old), per public registration records. Lexsynergy Limited is the registrar on record today.
Correct a description, link or other detail. Submissions are reviewed before publication.
Registered 1997 · site is live · HTTPS valid
TomsHardware.com Variety of big brands & articles on computer technology
Tom's Hardware is an online publication providing reviews, news, price comparisons, and how-to guides on computer hardware and technology. It serves tech enthusiasts, buyers, and IT decision-makers across 12 countries. Founded in 1996, the site is known for its independent hardware testing lab and "Build Your Own" computer guides.
Authority 89/100— ahead of 89% of the August 2026 scored sampleClear
Why this authority score
89 is a percentile: higher than 89% of sites we score.
How it's calculated
Prominence (Tranco rank #3,212)+10
Verified continuity: 29.1 years (RDAP registration)+11
Security & email hygiene+5
Calibration adjustment (published map)+19
Model score: 45/99 — what these reason lines add up to.
Published Authority (percentile): 89/100 — 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 5 days ago); 3/3 transport and email checks available (oldest recorded about 5 days ago). This is evidence coverage, not a probability that a website is safe.
What tomshardware.com said about itself, 2006–2007
Quoted from the site's AboutUs wiki page in each year it changed (2 versions). These are the page's own words at the time, not AboutUs's assessment. New words · dropped words
2006
TG Publishing is the premiere media company for the technology generation. The company, best known for its Tom’s Hardware Guide site, targets “grassroots technologists”-the huge population of technology early adopters who have grown up on video games, computers and gadgets-and have an insatiable need for more.
2007
It is published in the US, UK & Ireland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Russia, China, Taiwan, Sweden and Turkey.rewritten
Site history
Dated record — historical facts always carry their date; self-description below is the 2015 record.
1997
Domain registered (Sep 11, 1997).
2006
First tracked by AboutUs (Jun 21, 2006); profile edited 17 times through 2015.
2015
Self-description at the time:
“TomsHardware.com Variety of big brands & articles on computer technology”
✓ domain continuity 29 years registered✓ live verified Oct 30, 2026
No caution flags in the available scoring observations; this is not a complete safety assessment
Lifeline · tomshardware.com over time
Checked in the last 30 daysOlder, dated recordFrom registration records
Registered 29 years ago · on AboutUs since 2006 · 1 registrar change since Jul 7, 2011 · 4 ownership changes since 2007 · last checked Oct 29, 2026.
Registration
RegisteredSep 11, 1997tomshardware.com was registered on Sep 11, 1997.Source: RDAP, fetched Oct 25, 2026
AboutUs record
AboutUs wiki pageAboutUs wiki pageJun 21, 2006 – Feb 25, 2015An AboutUs wiki page described tomshardware.com from Jun 21, 2006 to Feb 25, 2015 (17 edits).Source: AboutUs wiki archive, 2006–2023
Registrar
GANDI SASGANDI SASJul 7, 2011 – Jan 22, 2019Registrar GANDI SAS (IANA 81) in the WHOIS and RDAP records held for tomshardware.com, from Jul 7, 2011 to Jan 22, 2019.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is)Lexsynergy Limited
Ownership
Ownership recordsMay 17, 2007 – May 17, 2026Registration records for tomshardware.com are held from May 17, 2007 to May 17, 2026 (462 records). 4 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, Apr 2012 – Oct 2013Nameservers: ayzo.netJul 7, 2011 – Apr 20, 2012Registration records listed ayzo.net nameservers (ns2.ayzo.net, ns3.ayzo.net) for tomshardware.com from Jul 7, 2011 to Apr 20, 2012.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Certificate
GlobalSign nv-saJan 28, 2026 – Oct 30, 2026GlobalSign nv-sa issued 37 certificates for tomshardware.com from Jan 28, 2026, the latest valid until Jan 7, 2027.Source: Certificate Transparency logs (AboutUs's own certificate-log reader)
200020102020Jan ’26Oct ’26← last 12 months, drawn wider
Every dated fact on this lifeline (25)
Sep 11, 1997Registration: tomshardware.com was registered on Sep 11, 1997.Source: RDAP, fetched Oct 25, 2026
Jun 21, 2006 – Feb 25, 2015AboutUs record: An AboutUs wiki page described tomshardware.com from Jun 21, 2006 to Feb 25, 2015 (17 edits).Source: AboutUs wiki archive, 2006–2023
Jul 1, 2006AboutUs record: “TG Publishing is the premiere media company for the technology generation. The company, best known for its Tom’s Hardware Guide site, targets “grassroots technologists”-the huge population of technology early adopters w…”Source: AboutUs wiki archive, 2006
May 17, 2007 – May 17, 2026Ownership: Registration records for tomshardware.com are held from May 17, 2007 to May 17, 2026 (462 records). 4 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
Jul 1, 2007AboutUs record: “It is published in the US, UK & Ireland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Russia, China, Taiwan, Sweden and Turkey.”Source: AboutUs wiki archive, 2007
Jun 25, 2008
Said about itself in 2006
Jul 1, 2006
“TG Publishing is the premiere media company for the technology generation. The company, best known for its Tom’s Hardware Guide site, targets “grassroots technologists”-the huge population of technology early adopters w…”
Source: AboutUs wiki archive, 2006
Said about itself in 2007Jul 1, 2007“It is published in the US, UK & Ireland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Russia, China, Taiwan, Sweden and Turkey.”Source: AboutUs wiki archive, 2007
Current AboutUs recordJun 20, 2026 – Oct 25, 2026 (latest)Authority and Safety last refreshed Oct 25, 2026.Source: AboutUs checks
Lexsynergy Limited
Feb 21, 2019 – Oct 30, 2026 (latest)
Registrar Lexsynergy Limited (IANA 1466) in the registration data recorded, first on Feb 21, 2019 and most recently on Oct 30, 2026.
Source: RDAP, fetched Oct 25, 2026
Ownership change
Jun 25, 2008
The registrant name or organization in the registration record changed; first recorded Jun 25, 2008. Who it changed to is in the full report.
Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is); counted by registrant name and organization only
Ownership changeNov 9, 2013The registrant name or organization in the registration record changed; first recorded Nov 9, 2013. Who it changed to is in the full report.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is); counted by registrant name and organization only
Ownership changeSep 6, 2018The registrant name or organization in the registration record changed; first recorded Sep 6, 2018. Who it changed to is in the full report.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is); counted by registrant name and organization only
Ownership changeFeb 21, 2019The registrant name or organization in the registration record changed; first recorded Feb 21, 2019. Who it changed to is in the full report.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is); counted by registrant name and organization only
4 ownership changes, 2007–2026
Nameservers: bsonetwork.netOct 18, 2013 – Mar 1, 2014bsonetwork.net (ns1-cust.bsonetwork.net, ns2-cust.bsonetwork.net) were the nameservers listed for tomshardware.com at every ICANN zone-file snapshot AboutUs holds from Oct 18, 2013 to Mar 1, 2014 (snapshots exist for only part of 2013–2018).Source: ICANN zone-file snapshots, 2013–2018 (legacy archive)
DNS moved to bsonetwork.netOct 18, 2013tomshardware.com's nameservers moved from ayzo.net to bsonetwork.net at some point between Apr 20, 2012 and Oct 18, 2013. Last seen at ayzo.net: Apr 20, 2012 (registration record). First seen at bsonetwork.net: Oct 18, 2013 (ICANN zone-file snapshot). AboutUs holds no nameserver records for the 18 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 → ICANN zone-file snapshot)
Nameservers: bsonetwork.netMar 2, 2014 – Mar 17, 2014Registration records listed bsonetwork.net nameservers (ns1-cust.bsonetwork.net, ns2-cust.bsonetwork.net) for tomshardware.com from Mar 2, 2014 to Mar 17, 2014. Days a zone file covers are shown from the zone file instead.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Nameservers: Amazon Route 53Mar 23, 2014 – Mar 31, 2014Registration records listed Amazon Route 53 nameservers (ns-1533.awsdns-63.org, ns-1591.awsdns-06.co.uk, ns-185.awsdns-23.com…) for tomshardware.com from Mar 23, 2014 to Mar 31, 2014. Days a zone file covers are shown from the zone file instead.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
DNS moved to Amazon Route 53Mar 23, 2014tomshardware.com's nameservers moved from bsonetwork.net to Amazon Route 53 between Mar 17, 2014 and Mar 23, 2014. Last seen at bsonetwork.net: Mar 17, 2014 (registration record). First seen at Amazon Route 53: Mar 23, 2014 (registration record).Source: Derived from the nameserver records on this lifeline (registration record → registration record)
Nameservers: Amazon Route 53Apr 1, 2014 – Apr 3, 2018Amazon Route 53 (ns-1533.awsdns-63.org, ns-1591.awsdns-06.co.uk, ns-185.awsdns-23.com…) were the nameservers listed for tomshardware.com at every ICANN zone-file snapshot AboutUs holds from Apr 1, 2014 to Apr 3, 2018 (snapshots exist for only part of 2013–2018).Source: ICANN zone-file snapshots, 2013–2018 (legacy archive)
Nameservers: Amazon Route 53Nameservers: Amazon Route 53Apr 4, 2018 – May 17, 2026Registration records listed Amazon Route 53 nameservers (ns-1533.awsdns-63.org, ns-1591.awsdns-06.co.uk, ns-185.awsdns-23.com…) for tomshardware.com from Apr 4, 2018 to May 17, 2026. Days a zone file covers are shown from the zone file instead.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Seen in the .com zone fileSep 8, 2026 – Oct 29, 2026 (latest)First seen in the .com zone file records AboutUs holds on Sep 8, 2026; latest sighting Oct 29, 2026. Nameservers on Oct 29, 2026: ns-1533.awsdns-63.org, ns-1591.awsdns-06.co.uk, ns-185.awsdns-23.com, ns-840.awsdns-41.net.Source: ICANN CZDS zone file, snapshot Oct 29, 2026
Let's Encrypt
Mar 23, 2026 – Oct 30, 2026 (latest)
Let's Encrypt issued 26 certificates for tomshardware.com from Mar 23, 2026, the latest valid until Jan 16, 2027. Seen in use on Oct 28, 2026.
Source: Certificate Transparency logs (AboutUs's own certificate-log reader); TLS check, Oct 28, 2026
Google Trust ServicesApr 2, 2026 – Oct 30, 2026Google Trust Services issued 3 certificates for tomshardware.com from Apr 2, 2026, the latest valid until Dec 15, 2026.Source: Certificate Transparency logs (AboutUs's own certificate-log reader)
AmazonJun 14, 2026 – Oct 30, 2026Amazon issued 1 certificate for tomshardware.com from Jun 14, 2026, the latest valid until Dec 28, 2026.Source: Certificate Transparency logs (AboutUs's own certificate-log reader)
Ownership: The registrant name or organization in the registration record changed; first recorded Jun 25, 2008. Who it changed to is in the full report.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is); counted by registrant name and organization only
Jul 7, 2011 – Jan 22, 2019Registrar: Registrar GANDI SAS (IANA 81) in the WHOIS and RDAP records held for tomshardware.com, from Jul 7, 2011 to Jan 22, 2019.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is)
Jul 7, 2011 – Apr 20, 2012Zone file: Registration records listed ayzo.net nameservers (ns2.ayzo.net, ns3.ayzo.net) for tomshardware.com from Jul 7, 2011 to Apr 20, 2012.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Oct 18, 2013 – Mar 1, 2014Zone file: bsonetwork.net (ns1-cust.bsonetwork.net, ns2-cust.bsonetwork.net) were the nameservers listed for tomshardware.com at every ICANN zone-file snapshot AboutUs holds from Oct 18, 2013 to Mar 1, 2014 (snapshots exist for only part of 2013–2018).Source: ICANN zone-file snapshots, 2013–2018 (legacy archive)
Oct 18, 2013Zone file: tomshardware.com's nameservers moved from ayzo.net to bsonetwork.net at some point between Apr 20, 2012 and Oct 18, 2013. Last seen at ayzo.net: Apr 20, 2012 (registration record). First seen at bsonetwork.net: Oct 18, 2013 (ICANN zone-file snapshot). AboutUs holds no nameserver records for the 18 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 → ICANN zone-file snapshot)
Nov 9, 2013Ownership: The registrant name or organization in the registration record changed; first recorded Nov 9, 2013. Who it changed to is in the full report.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is); counted by registrant name and organization only
Mar 2, 2014 – Mar 17, 2014Zone file: Registration records listed bsonetwork.net nameservers (ns1-cust.bsonetwork.net, ns2-cust.bsonetwork.net) for tomshardware.com from Mar 2, 2014 to Mar 17, 2014. Days a zone file covers are shown from the zone file instead.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Mar 23, 2014 – Mar 31, 2014Zone file: Registration records listed Amazon Route 53 nameservers (ns-1533.awsdns-63.org, ns-1591.awsdns-06.co.uk, ns-185.awsdns-23.com…) for tomshardware.com from Mar 23, 2014 to Mar 31, 2014. Days a zone file covers are shown from the zone file instead.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Mar 23, 2014Zone file: tomshardware.com's nameservers moved from bsonetwork.net to Amazon Route 53 between Mar 17, 2014 and Mar 23, 2014. Last seen at bsonetwork.net: Mar 17, 2014 (registration record). First seen at Amazon Route 53: Mar 23, 2014 (registration record).Source: Derived from the nameserver records on this lifeline (registration record → registration record)
Apr 1, 2014 – Apr 3, 2018Zone file: Amazon Route 53 (ns-1533.awsdns-63.org, ns-1591.awsdns-06.co.uk, ns-185.awsdns-23.com…) were the nameservers listed for tomshardware.com at every ICANN zone-file snapshot AboutUs holds from Apr 1, 2014 to Apr 3, 2018 (snapshots exist for only part of 2013–2018).Source: ICANN zone-file snapshots, 2013–2018 (legacy archive)
Apr 4, 2018 – May 17, 2026Zone file: Registration records listed Amazon Route 53 nameservers (ns-1533.awsdns-63.org, ns-1591.awsdns-06.co.uk, ns-185.awsdns-23.com…) for tomshardware.com from Apr 4, 2018 to May 17, 2026. Days a zone file covers are shown from the zone file instead.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Sep 6, 2018Ownership: The registrant name or organization in the registration record changed; first recorded Sep 6, 2018. Who it changed to is in the full report.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is); counted by registrant name and organization only
Feb 21, 2019 – Oct 30, 2026Registrar: Registrar Lexsynergy Limited (IANA 1466) in the registration data recorded, first on Feb 21, 2019 and most recently on Oct 30, 2026.Source: RDAP, fetched Oct 25, 2026
Feb 21, 2019Ownership: The registrant name or organization in the registration record changed; first recorded Feb 21, 2019. Who it changed to is in the full report.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is); counted by registrant name and organization only
Jan 28, 2026 – Oct 30, 2026Certificate: GlobalSign nv-sa issued 37 certificates for tomshardware.com from Jan 28, 2026, the latest valid until Jan 7, 2027.Source: Certificate Transparency logs (AboutUs's own certificate-log reader)
Mar 23, 2026 – Oct 30, 2026Certificate: Let's Encrypt issued 26 certificates for tomshardware.com from Mar 23, 2026, the latest valid until Jan 16, 2027. Seen in use on Oct 28, 2026.Source: Certificate Transparency logs (AboutUs's own certificate-log reader); TLS check, Oct 28, 2026
Apr 2, 2026 – Oct 30, 2026Certificate: Google Trust Services issued 3 certificates for tomshardware.com from Apr 2, 2026, the latest valid until Dec 15, 2026.Source: Certificate Transparency logs (AboutUs's own certificate-log reader)
Jun 14, 2026 – Oct 30, 2026Certificate: Amazon issued 1 certificate for tomshardware.com from Jun 14, 2026, the latest valid until Dec 28, 2026.Source: Certificate Transparency logs (AboutUs's own certificate-log reader)
Jun 20, 2026 – Oct 25, 2026AboutUs record: Authority and Safety last refreshed Oct 25, 2026.Source: AboutUs checks
Sep 8, 2026 – Oct 29, 2026Zone file: First seen in the .com zone file records AboutUs holds on Sep 8, 2026; latest sighting Oct 29, 2026. Nameservers on Oct 29, 2026: ns-1533.awsdns-63.org, ns-1591.awsdns-06.co.uk, ns-185.awsdns-23.com, ns-840.awsdns-41.net.Source: ICANN CZDS zone file, snapshot Oct 29, 2026