DNS Attack Explained: What Is DNS Attack and the Best Ways to Protect your Website Against It

Studies show that on average, companies suffer 7.5 DNS attacks every year – with each attack costing over one million USD. That’s some serious damage. Want to protect yourself from it? Be a step ahead of the attackers.

But first, understand what exactly a DNS attack is – along with all of its many faces.

What is DNS Attack?

Let’s begin with the basics.

What is a DNS server? Simply put, DNS or Domain Name System, is like an Internet phone book. Each website is recognised by unique domain names (for example, Google.com, Wikipedia.org). Those names are translated into numbers that computers use. When you type a website name, the DNS helps your computer find the right address, so you can visit the right website. Simple, right? Apparently, attackers find it just as simple to hack.In a DNS attack, the attackers mess with those digital phone book entries. So, instead of calling the vet’s office, you call the butcher instead (or something less gruesome – but just as adversely impacting). For obvious reasons, DNS security is of utmost importance. But what are the different types of DNS attacks that one needs to brace for?

Let’s take a look below.

Different Types of DNS Attacks

DNS Tunnelling

DNS is a critical part of the Internet, and yet, most organisations don’t monitor it for malicious activity. As a result, cybersecurity attacks like DNS tunnelling are born. Here, attackers exploit the DNS protocol to tunnel malware through a client-server model. This just got way too complex, way too quickly. So, let’s break it down. Attackers create a fake website and sneak harmful data into the victim’s computer by using normal-looking internet requests. They use these requests to infect a computer with malicious software. What about the organisations that installed firewalls stricter than Asian parents? Those firewalls can’t protect DNS because DNS requests are always allowed to move in and out of the firewall – allowing a connection to be established between the attacker’s and victim’s computers.

DNS Amplification

This is one of the types of DNS attacks where the attackers use the Internet systems against themselves. Also called a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack, the attackers exploit the victim’s DNS by sending a tiny request that creates a relentless barrage of data, making it unavailable to legitimate users. The larger the victim’s response, the more traffic it can generate. This is done to successfully put additional strain on web managed servers or other network resources being targeted.

DNS Flood Attack

This type of DNS attack overwhelms a target’s DNS with too many requests – as opposed to the previous type where one small request caused data flooding because of the victim’s barrage of responses. In this case, the attackers flood the system with tons of requests, making it hard for the target to respond to legitimate ones. It’s like a jealous co-worker overloading you with several useless tasks that take up all your time – preventing you from completing your actual work.

DNS Spoofing

At the beginning, we gave you the simplest answer to the “What is DNS” question. In a more real sense, the DNS doesn’t work alone; it takes the help of a cache. This increases the speed and efficiency of domain name lookups. However, if a domain name changes, it takes a day to reflect in the cache. That’s when attackers swoop in. DNS spoofing, also called cache poisoning, is one of the types of DNS attacks that falls under malicious redirection. In the case of this type of DNS attack, when you enter a specific domain name, you are redirected to a fraudulent website without your knowledge – a website that is replicated to look exactly like the original one. For example, you enter gmail.com into the search bar. But without your knowledge, you are redirected to a fake website which looks exactly like the Gmail login page. You enter your email ID and password into what looks like boring old login fields, and VOILA! Malicious troublemakers are now in possession of your highly confidential information.

How Can I Prevent A DNS Attack

DNS Zone Audits

DNS zone audits are thorough examinations of all DNS configurations and settings.

DNS security starts here. By scanning IP addresses and performing reverse lookups for each, the DNS zone audits ensure that the forward lookup resolves to the originally scanned IP address, preventing the occurrence of a DNS attack.

<H3>Hide Bind Version </H3>

Hide the specific version of your DNS security software. This makes it harder for attackers to find and exploit any vulnerabilities.

Restrict Zone Server

If a DNS server allows unrestricted zone transfers, attackers may use the information to gain information about the structure of your networks to aid in device discovery prior to an actual attack. Limit access to your DNS zone server to successfully protect DNS.

Disable DNS Recursion

DNS recursion is when one DNS server communicates with multiple others to retrieve an IP address and return it to the client. This makes the DNS vulnerable, giving attackers the chance to intercept the request and return a fake response. Naturally, if you disable DNS recursion, these types of DNS attacks are prevented.

Using Isolated DNS Servers

One of the best DNS security practices is to use an isolated DNS environment.

Separate your DNS services from the application servers. This will protect DNS from web application attacks.

Use A DDoS Mitigation Provider

When facing a small or midsize attack on your online services, adjustments to your network and system settings can often help prevent a DNS attack. However, if you’re hit by a massive attack, only a few uber-secure data centres can truly assist with a powerful anti-attack service.To stay safe during big attacks, it’s better to hire an expert DDoS mitigator.

Conclusion

There is a lot at stake when it comes to DNS security.

The answer to “What is a DNS attack” includes many shocking ways in which a victim can be hurt – from reputational damage to financial losses. But if you are able to protect DNS by employing the strategies laid out above, you’re sure to successfully avert any damage, and instead enjoy the best of everything that the Internet has to offer.

DNS Attack FAQ’s

What Is the Difference Between DNS And DDoS?

DNS is an Internet service that helps your computer find the correct address so you can visit the site. DDoS is a malicious attack that overwhelms a website with excess traffic.

What Happens If Your DNS Is Attacked?

An immediate effect is that victims will face issues of malicious redirection. This could result in data theft. Secondly, the DNS attack can cause system disruption – the results which users will encounter when online services, applications, or emails slow down or halt entirely. This could inevitably result in irreversible damage to a company’s reputation.

Ultimately, the attack can lead to tremendous financial losses.

What Are the Signs of DNS Spoofing?

Watch out for unexpected website redirects, incorrect IP addresses, certificate warnings, slow site access, and unusual pop-ups.

If you have any queries or suggestions feel free to send an email on [email protected]