Here Are the 5 Biggest DNS Security Risks

The DNS, or Domain Name System, is often called the Internet’s phonebook. Its servers transform domain names into IP addresses, which guide online traffic down the right pathways. Besides identifying websites, it also plays important roles in email networks, online phone services, and VPN connections. However, despite the DNS’ central role in the Internet’s functionality, it’s often poorly secured or improperly configured. Click here to check your DNS security with Wi-Fi Check:

Read More: How Malware Can Infect Your Wi-Fi Router

1. Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS)

Distributed denial of service (DDoS) is arguably the most common DNS attack. During DDoS, servers are flooded with traffic by the hacker, which prevents legitimate users from accessing the network. DNS servers simply can’t withstand that volume of capacity, and they quickly cease to be accessible.

2. DNS Tunnelling

During DNS tunnelling, the data packets that are sent and received over the DNS can become compromised. In general, this DNS process is poorly monitored by most security systems, making it a tempting target. An increase in tunnelling activity tends to mean a malware attack or data breach is in-progress.

3. SYN Floods

Similarly to DDoS, SYN floods are another well-known Denial of Service attack. During SYN floods, the hacker transmits “fake” data packages to invented destinations. The DNS servers, however, can’t recognize that these requests are illegitimate. So, they will exhaust themselves by trying to establish an active connection, leaving them unable to attend to real requests from users.

4. Cache Poisoning

If a DNS server is badly configured, it’s vulnerable to cache poisoning. During cache poisoning, visitors to a website arrive at an infected server, which is being governed by the hacker. Often, an online user can’t tell that they’re being phished, since the malicious website is almost an exact replica of the original site.

5. DNS Hijacking

During DNS hijacking, the targeted server’s Internet connection is taken over and reconfigured. This process is often administered by the use of malware. From there, the hacker redirects online users to a different, malicious IP address.