DNS spoofing attack and how it works?
There are different types of cyber attacks, one of which is a DNS forgery attack, which we will explain more about this attack in the following.
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3 minute(s) read
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Published on: Sep 22, 2020
Updated on: Dec 14, 2021
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DNS spoofing can be used by attackers to capture internet traffic with the intention of illegal activities.
DNS is generally described as an Internet phone book because it translates domain names into IP addresses. DNS refers to the domain name system that provides information on domain names. DNS is based on a hierarchical structure, with a domain at the top called the root domain and top-level domains below that divide the DNS into different parts. The DNS itself was not secure at all. Over time, this has led malevolent actors to benefit from this problem and develop sophisticated techniques of attack taking advantage of DNS, like DNS spoofing.
DNS Spoofing
DNS spoofing is the resultant threat that emulates a server's legitimate destinations for forwarding domain traffic. Unsolicited victims end up on malicious websites. DNS is a type of cyberattack in which false data is introduced in the resolver cache of DNS, causing the nameserver to return an invalid IP address. The attacker's ultimate goal is usually the same regardless of his method. The most common way to do DNS spoofing is to use cache poisoning.
This type of attack uses the vulnerabilities in the domain name servers and then redirects traffic to illegal websites. Once there, users are required to log into their account, which gives the committer the ability to steal access credentials and other confidential information. The malicious website is often used to install viruses or worms on the user's system, giving long-term access to the committer.
Methods of DNS Attack
DNS spoofing is a generic term and can be done using various methods, such as DNS cache poisoning. It comprises a DNS server executing a man-in-the-middle attack. There are three different methods of a DNS attack. Among the different methods of DNS attacks, here are three of the most common:
1- Man-in-the-middle duping
2- DNS server hijack
3- DNS cache poisoning via spam
How Can this be Avoided?
After knowing about the DNS attack and how it takes place, you must be thinking if this attack can be avoided and, if yes, how to avoid it. You don't have to do much for the prevention of DNS spoofing. Instead, it falls more into the hands of the actual DNS provider who handles DNS website searches and the website owner. Therefore, website owners and DNS providers should take precautions to avoid DNS spoofing. Here are some of the best tips to consider to prevent DNS.
- Implement DNS detection mechanisms
- Use encrypted data transfer protocols
- Use DNSSEC
DNS spoofing can cause a lot of problems for visitors and website owners. The primary reason an attacker conducts a DNS attack is for personal gain or the spread of malware. Therefore, it is important to choose a trusted DNS hosting provider that uses modern security mechanisms as a website owner.
