When the internet was first introduced, only a few systems and services were connected to the network. It was easy for these resources to communicate, so there wasn’t any need for complex intervention. However, as more users began joining the network, a mechanism was required to manage the growing number of connections. The Domain Name System (DNS) was an answer to this dilemma, effectively allowing devices to locate and communicate with each other.
For businesses, knowing about your DNS is crucial as it forms the foundation of your online presence. Everything from your brand identity to your email functionality and website accessibility is driven by your DNS. Additionally, you must understand the importance of protecting your Domain Name System as it can be a potential avenue for cyberattacks.
So, here we delve into what your business Domain Name System is, how it serves an important security function and what you can do to protect it.
What is a Domain Name System (DNS)?
Every day, millions of users and networks from around the globe access the internet. DNS then enables these systems and people to be able to contact each other and access sites seamlessly. Essentially, DNS is a naming system for all the resources connected to the internet and private networks. It works by translating domain names to IP addresses, ensuring that users don’t have to memorise long numbered addresses.
Many refer to DNS as “the phonebook of the internet”. By matching information with domain names, it assigns different resources. For example, converted IP addresses are commonly used to locate services and devices. The DNS directory is then stored on domain name servers distributed around the world. Plus, due to the distributed nature of the directory, IT support queries are resolved much faster.
Every time a web browser wants to load a page, it must communicate with the DNS server. Although it takes only a few hundred milliseconds, this can add up over time, resulting in delays. To help save time, information is cached (or stored) locally. Data is therefore stored closer to the client, which helps resolve queries swiftly and reduce bandwidth consumption.
The need for DNS security
Despite its significance for your business, any DNS will have its flaws. In fact, there are various DNS vulnerabilities that hackers exploit to disrupt and tweak domain names and IP addresses.
For instance, hackers often employ social engineering tactics to redirect users to a corrupted site, instead of the legitimate one. By the time the user finds out that they have been tricked, the hacker is nowhere to be found. The victim’s personal information, typically including bank details and addresses, is then stolen or held for ransom.
It’s important that businesses are aware of the threats posed to their DNS security. So, below we uncover DNS cyberattacks which may affect your business:
DNS cache poisoning
DNS cache poisoning involves inserting fake address records into the DNS. This means when a user inserts the domain name of a poisoned website, the DNS will correspond it to the wrong IP address. The user is then redirected to the malicious website posing as the legitimate one. Once they are there, the scammer tricks them into sharing their personal details for them to steal and exploit however they like.
Many hackers use this method to infect their victim’s system with different types of malware, such as spyware and ransomware. Once the hacker successfully installs the malware, they are now in control of the victim’s system.
DNS cache poisoning is therefore a slippery slope to further damage to your business. The disruption and downtime can result in a costly cyberattack recovery process to salvage personal or business data. Moreover, you could lose reputational and customer trust if your brand’s website domain is affected.
DNS reflection attacks
DNS reflection attacks is where a hacker sends queries to a DNS server using a spoofed IP address resembling the target. All the responses are then redirected to the victim’s system, overwhelming it with traffic.
This cyberattack can be hugely disruptive to your system, preventing customers from accessing your services. As a result of this downtime, you could lose revenue and customer trust, not to mention you may breach service agreements.
Tips to avoid DNS attacks
As threats keep evolving, the need to protect your DNS is greater than ever before.
Shockingly, a 2023 study by IDC shows that 90% of global organisations suffer DNS attacks. And although 80% surveyed confirmed the importance of DNS security, only 21% were actively making use of DNS data for cybersecurity efforts. These figures highlight the current disparity in businesses understanding DNS and implementing DNS security.
As experts in cybersecurity solutions, we’ve put together some key tips to help mitigate the risk of DNS attacks:
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Audit your DNS zones regularly
Auditing your DNS zones refers to analysing and reviewing your DNS records and configurations. This process can be a crucial way of identifying security vulnerabilities and preventing cyberattacks.
By regularly looking through your DNS records, you can check for misconfigurations, which could include incorrect IP address information or name servers. Auditing is also an important way of ensuring your security protocols are effectively running to protect traffic.
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Use DNS Security Extensions protocol
Protect the DNS by using DNSSEC to digitally sign data. This ensures any DNS results are authentic and have not been exploited by malicious actors.
DNSSEC is a key step in DNS security, as it helps prevent unauthorised access. This is important in safeguarding your employees, customers and other users’ movements when being directed to your site’s domain. Essentially, implementing this security tactic decreases the risk of cache poisoning and other interceptive DNS attacks against your organisation.
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Use the latest version of BIND
BIND (Berkeley Internet Domain Name) is the most popular Domain Name System software, offering a range of support. From query resolution and traffic monitoring to advanced security features such as access controls, BIND is an asset in strengthening DNS infrastructure.
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Update your patches
Often, outdated software, including DNS software like BIND can carry security vulnerabilities. Regularly updating patches is the most straightforward way of closing entry points and mitigating cyberattacks. Bug fixes can also improve the capabilities and functionality of DNS servers, subsequently bettering the speed and quality of service.
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Leverage the help of your London IT support team
Ensure your IT administrator and support team have a system in place to keep a tab on the number of queries. Redundant queries should be blocked in a timely fashion to stop the overloading of traffic. This can also be a sign of a DDOS or reflection attack, so it is better to be safe than sorry.
If you have any more questions about DNS and network protection or require the help of our London IT cybersecurity services, please contact our team.