Documentation
Complete guide to using MirrorScan for finding and managing official mirror domains
🚀 Getting Started
👤 For Users
MirrorScan makes it easy to find official mirror domains when websites are blocked or inaccessible.
- • Search any domain in the search bar
- • Look for the green "Official domain" badge
- • Check mirror status indicators (✅ Up, ❓ Unknown)
- • Click external link icons to visit mirrors
- • Use different mirror types based on your needs
💡 Pro Tip
Bookmark multiple mirrors for important sites. If one goes down, you'll always have alternatives ready. All mirrors shown are verified by the actual domain owners.
🏢 For Website Owners
Protect your users from phishing and ensure accessibility by registering your official mirrors.
- • Click "Add Your Mirrors" in the header
- • Submit your main domain and mirror list
- • Complete ownership verification
- • Monitor your mirrors through our dashboard
- • Update mirror information as needed
✅ Benefits
Verified mirrors help users avoid phishing sites and maintain access during outages or censorship. Your mirrors will be publicly searchable once verified.
🔐 Verification Process
Submit Information
Provide your main domain, contact email, and list of mirror domains
Choose Verification
Select DNS record, file upload, or email verification method
Complete Verification
Follow the instructions sent to your email to prove ownership
Go Live
Your mirrors are reviewed and published within 24-48 hours
Verification Methods
DNS Record
Add a TXT record to your domain's DNS settings
File Upload
Upload a verification file to your website root
Email Verification
Respond from an admin email address
🔗 Mirror Types
Main Mirrors
Primary alternative domains like .org, .net, .info
Examples:
example.orgexample.netexample.infoUse Cases:
- • General backup domains
- • Alternative TLDs
- • Regional variations
Pros:
- ✓ Easy to remember
- ✓ Standard DNS resolution
- ✓ Wide compatibility
Cons:
- ✗ Can be blocked like main domain
- ✗ Subject to same regulations
Regional Mirrors
Location-specific mirrors optimized for different regions
Examples:
eu.example.comasia.example.comus.example.comUse Cases:
- • Geo-blocking circumvention
- • Performance optimization
- • Local compliance
Pros:
- ✓ Faster local access
- ✓ Bypass geo-restrictions
- ✓ Local CDN benefits
Cons:
- ✗ May still be blocked regionally
- ✗ Requires multiple domains
Tor Mirrors
.onion addresses accessible through the Tor network
Examples:
abc123xyz.oniondef456uvw.onionUse Cases:
- • Privacy protection
- • Censorship resistance
- • Anonymous access
Pros:
- ✓ Maximum privacy
- ✓ Censorship resistant
- ✓ Anonymous access
Cons:
- ✗ Requires Tor browser
- ✗ Slower speeds
- ✗ Complex setup
IPFS Mirrors
Decentralized content addressing through IPFS
Examples:
ipfs.io/ipfs/QmHashgateway.pinata.cloud/ipfs/QmHashUse Cases:
- • Decentralized hosting
- • Permanent availability
- • Distributed access
Pros:
- ✓ Truly decentralized
- ✓ Permanent storage
- ✓ No single point of failure
Cons:
- ✗ Technical complexity
- ✗ Gateway dependency
- ✗ Limited dynamic content
🛡️ Security & Trust
🔒 Verification Standards
Domain Ownership
All mirrors require proof of domain ownership through DNS, file upload, or email verification.
Manual Review
Every submission is manually reviewed by our security team before going live.
Continuous Monitoring
Automated systems check mirror status and security every 2-4 hours.
🚨 Threat Protection
Phishing Prevention
Only verified domain owners can submit mirrors, preventing malicious imposters.
Malware Scanning
Regular security scans detect and flag potentially compromised mirrors.
Rapid Response
Suspicious mirrors are immediately flagged and removed from listings.
Trust Indicators
Verified Badge
Green badge indicates domain ownership verification
Status Monitoring
Real-time status shows mirror availability
Transparency
Public verification history and audit logs
⚠️ Security Best Practices
- • Always verify the green "Official domain" badge before accessing mirrors
- • Check the mirror status indicator (✅ Up, ❓ Unknown, ❌ Down)
- • Be cautious of mirrors with "Unknown" status - verify independently
- • Report suspicious mirrors immediately through our contact form
- • Use HTTPS whenever possible for secure connections
🔌 API Integration
Integrate MirrorScan into your applications, wallets, browser extensions, or security tools using our REST API. Perfect for automated mirror discovery and verification.
Quick Start
Basic Request
GET /api/v1/search?q=example.comResponse
{
"domains": [
{
"domain": "example.com",
"verified": true,
"description": "Example website"
}
]
}Use Cases
Crypto Wallets
Automatically find working exchange mirrors when main sites are blocked
Browser Extensions
Redirect users to working mirrors when sites are inaccessible
Security Tools
Verify legitimate mirrors and detect phishing attempts
Monitoring Systems
Track mirror availability and performance across regions
Available Endpoints
/v1/searchSearch for verified domains in the registry
/v1/domain/{domain}Get detailed domain information with all mirrors
/v1/mirrors/submitSubmit new mirrors for verification
Rate Limits
- • 1000 requests per hour per IP
- • 10,000 requests per day per IP
- • Contact us for higher limits
Authentication
- • Currently no authentication required
- • Rate limited per IP address
- • CORS enabled for browser requests
❓ Troubleshooting & FAQ
General
Q: Why can't I find mirrors for a specific domain?
A: The domain may not be registered in our system yet. Website owners need to submit their mirrors for verification. You can suggest they add their mirrors through our 'Add Your Mirrors' page.
Q: How often are mirror statuses updated?
A: Mirror statuses are automatically checked every 2-4 hours. Website owners can also manually trigger status updates through their dashboard.
Q: What does 'Unknown' status mean?
A: Unknown status indicates we couldn't verify the mirror's current state. This could be due to temporary network issues, geo-blocking, or the mirror being down. Try accessing it directly or check back later.
For Website Owners
Q: How long does verification take?
A: Most verifications are completed within 24-48 hours. Complex cases or domains with security concerns may take longer. You'll receive email updates throughout the process.
Q: Can I update my mirror list after verification?
A: Yes! You can add new mirrors or remove old ones through your dashboard. New mirrors will need to go through verification again.
Q: What if my verification fails?
A: Common issues include incorrect DNS records, missing verification files, or email delivery problems. Check your email for specific instructions and try again. Contact support if issues persist.
Q: Can I verify mirrors for subdomains?
A: Yes, but you need to prove ownership of the parent domain first. Subdomain mirrors can then be added to your existing verified domain entry.
Technical Issues
Q: The API returns 404 for my domain
A: This means the domain isn't in our registry. Check the spelling and ensure the domain owner has submitted their mirrors for verification.
Q: Why am I getting rate limited?
A: Our API has limits of 1000 requests per hour per IP. If you need higher limits for legitimate use cases, contact us to discuss API key access.
Q: CORS errors when calling the API from browser
A: Our API supports CORS for browser requests. Ensure you're using HTTPS and the correct API endpoint. Some ad blockers may interfere with requests.
Q: Mirror links don't work in my region
A: Some mirrors may be geo-blocked or have regional restrictions. Try mirrors marked for your region, or use Tor mirrors for maximum accessibility.
Security Concerns
Q: How do I know a mirror is safe?
A: Only access mirrors with the green 'Official domain' badge. These have been verified by the actual domain owners. Avoid mirrors without verification badges.
Q: I found a suspicious mirror listed
A: Report it immediately through our contact form or email. Include the domain name and details about why you think it's suspicious. We investigate all reports within 24 hours.
Q: Can mirrors be compromised after verification?
A: While rare, it's possible. We continuously monitor mirrors for security issues. If you notice suspicious behavior, report it immediately.
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