An IP address is tied to the title of a site through the Domain Name System (DNS), a reference system. When you enter a website’s name into your computer, the Universal Resource Locator (URL) is transmitted to the DNS. A DNS request is what is being made here.
Your website obtains the site’s IP address, which is its precise numerical geolocation on the web, in response to queries. As soon as your device has an IP address, you can view and communicate with the website.
Let’s take a short glance at the subjects covered in this article before diving into the world of DNS Hijacking:
Points at a Glance:
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What is DNS Hijacking?
Domain Name System Hijacking, an attack known as DNS hijacking uses DNS queries to send users to nefarious websites or pop-up ads.
People who are not online criminals utilize DNS.
In order to reroute your traffic for their own purposes, ISPs may potentially hijack your DNS.
Not long ago, DNS hijacking was believed to be gone.
Numerous businesses and institutions have been the subject of DNS hijacking, including Gmail, Netflix, and PayPal.
There are slight variations in how these assaults are carried out, despite the fact that they all operate on the same underlying idea—DNS exploitation. We’ll talk more about these distinct attack kinds below.
The complete URL that we type into our browser is known as a fully qualified domain name (FQDN).
There are three components to this name: a top-level domain (TLD), a sub-domain, and a host. These components each stand in for a DNS server that participates in the DNS request procedure.
Your browser first queries the DNS resolver to determine the location of the domain.
The resolver then forwards this query to the DNS server for the TLD, which in turn requests the DNS server for the website.
Any step along this “chain” is open to hijacking.
Currently, your DNS settings will be automatically configured and setup by your ISP (or Google).
These businesses can direct you to websites and material that will benefit them as well as collect data by using these options.
This name is made up of three parts: a host, a sub-domain, and a top-level domain (TLD).
Each of these elements serves as a stand-in for a DNS server that takes part in the DNS request process.
To discover the location of the domain, your browser first sends a query to the DNS resolver.
The DNS server for the TLD receives this request from the resolver, which then directs it to the DNS server for the website.
Any link in this “chain” could be taken over.
Currently, your ISP will automatically configure and set up your DNS settings (or Google). These companies can use these options to drive you to websites and content that will profit them, gather data, and both.
How is DNS Hijacked?
Cybercriminals are aware that the domain name system of your website is a unique, trustworthy protocol and that many companies neglect to check their sites for malicious activities. They might thus be able to successfully conduct a range of assaults against the company’s Domain Name System.
DNS (Domain Name System) is a service that changes Internet Protocol (IP) addresses from sentient URLs. Internet users can use it to match search queries to pertinent websites as a result.
Every internet-connected device is assigned a numerical IP address. Website owners and users can use unique web addresses because the NDS is obliged to synchronize hostnames with IP addresses.
Why are DNS servers being hacked?
There are several ways to hack a DNS server. The hijacker might employ it for phishing or pharming, which involves showing users advertising in order to make money (redirecting users to a bogus version of your website in order to steal data or login information).
ISPs also employ domain redirection to manage consumers’ DNS requests in order to compile user information. Other organizations also employ domain hijacking to block users or reroute them to different websites.
DNS Hijacking Attack Types
Cybercriminals can hijack DNS in four different ways:
Local DNS Hijack
When an online criminal installs Trojan virus on a website user’s machine, they utilize this DNS hijacking technique. This trojan poses as trustworthy software. When turned on, it gives hackers access to network systems, giving them the chance to steal data and modify DNS settings to reroute users to phony websites.
Router DNS Hijack
Using a DNS router that is vulnerable to being overridden and reconfigured, hackers conduct a DNS attack (a hardware device used by domain service providers to link their domain names to equivalent IP addresses). The perpetrators will then overwhelm the website with traffic and reroute it to another malicious website, blocking user access to the original website.
DNS Man-in-the-Middle Hijacking:
happens when hackers prevent a network user from communicating with a DNS server, ultimately rerouting the user to an unidentified destination IP address leading to malicious websites. It is also known as DNS spoofing.
Rogue DNS Hijack
An attacker hijacks the DNS server, alters the records it has saved, and then redirects any ensuing DNS requests to their own malicious websites.
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How to Prevent DNS Hijacking?
Install malware-blocking software
Additionally, DNS hijackers try to obtain users’ login information. To stop online crooks from exposing your passwords, install antivirus software on your computer. Use only secure virtual private networks to lower your risk of data exposure.
To further secure your credentials, create challenging passwords and change them frequently.
Check the DNS settings on the router
Routers can be attacked, and hijackers take advantage of this vulnerability to prey on unsuspecting victims.
For security, check and double-check the DNS settings on your network. Additionally, its passwords must be kept up to date.
The Domain Account Registry Lock function should be enabled.
Using a registry lock against cyber threats is another way to stop DNS hijacking.
A domain name registry can identify unlawful domain modifications, transfers, and removals by using a service called a registry lock. Look for a hosting firm that offers this option if yours does not. Turn on two-factor authentication for your domain account as an extra measure of security.
ZoneWatcher
Automation of DNS system monitoring, reporting, and backup is the aim of ZoneWatcher. With this programme, you will always have a backup copy of your DNS records in case something goes wrong or you need to recover from an unexpected change.
You can study the full history of changes for the entire zone in its extensive changelog.
If you operate with numerous clients, ZoneWatcher, which is primarily designed for professional use, enables you to monitor domains from various providers.
The ability to divide the monitoring employees into teams according to the controlled entity is another feature of this tool. The data may be exported as zone files or notified via a REST API, and the alerts can be delivered by email.
StatusCake
The StatusCake domain checking tool alerts you when it’s time to renew your domain so that squatters don’t take over your website and harm your business if you forget to register it on time. You can keep track of modifications to your DNS records.
Three plans are available from StatusCake, the initial of which is free with a few restrictions and a five minute sampling window. Free trials are also offered for premium services that include extra features including SMS notifications, 30-second evaluation intervals, and collaboration tools.
AppNeta
Despite being flexible to any network architecture, AppNeta’s DNS monitoring approach is especially well suited for businesses who are in the process of migrating to the cloud.
The information that AppNeta gathers is kept on file for a year at no cost. You can see how DNS resolution affects the user experience of your application by analyzing that data.
Deteriorating trends in performance as well as patterns in performance spikes can both be identified. The application context is added to the monitoring service’s reports to help IT employees uncover DNS resolution difficulties linked to application problems.
Conclusion
Hackers and deceivers have used many strategies to steal user information since the internet’s beginnings, such as DNS hijacking. Many methods are exclusively useful for DNS-related problems.
We believe that this blog entry has made DNS and DNS hijacking more clear to you.