Do you want to learn more about DNS attack types? If the answer is yes, you are in the right place. In this article today, we will explore the 3 common ones and how to fight them. But first, let’s explain what a DNS attack actually is.
What does a DNS attack mean?
DNS was designed to reply to queries correctly and efficiently, not questioning their intent. As a result, DNS has significant flaws and the potential to be used as a conduit for cyber-attacks. So, we can say that a DNS attack occurs when hackers take advantage of weaknesses in the Domain Name System (DNS).
The 3 most popular DNS attack types
There are different DNS attack types, but in this article, we will look at the most 3 popular ones. They are as follows:
- DDoS Amplification
The goal of a DNS attack like this is to boost traffic to unmanageable levels. Different implementations exist, but it frequently uses the UDP protocol to disrupt your DNS. Because UDP does not verify, thieves submit a DNS request to obtain the IP address as well as additional DNS information (records), ensuring that the response is unusually huge.
- DNS spoofing
DNS spoofing is the second most common attack (also known as DNS poisoning). The malicious actor inserts altered DNS records into the cache memory of DNS resolvers in this relatively common DNS attack. Frequently, the IP address for updated records differs from the original name records. Visitors are directed to the webpage of the bad actor. They have the ability to transmit sensitive information that might be used for a variety of illegal purposes, including stealing money or stealing identities.
- DNS flood attack
This attack is not the same as the DDoS amplification attack. We don’t have a complicated amplification procedure here. In this situation, the bad actor typically builds a botnet (a network of controlled devices) that they may use whenever they want. The lousy actor selects a target and employs the botnet to generate large amounts of traffic directed at the victim’s device. The objective remains the same: to overwhelm the target. It’s a very prevalent assault that many servers face on a regular basis.
How to fight with them?
Now you understand how dangerous DNS attacks are. Here are some solutions to fighting whit them:
- Monitoring the traffic. The first step in spotting irregularities is to monitor outgoing and inbound requests. Additionally, the context information provided by your answer data enables a more extensive forensic examination.
- DNSSEC solution. DNSSEC is a DNS security extension (Domain Name System Security Extensions). It provides cryptographic authentication to DNS data that travels the internet, proving the source and integrity of the DNS data.
- Implement Firewall. A firewall is a network security system (hardware, software, or both) that uses certain functionality and security rules to safeguard networks. For example, it includes incoming and outgoing traffic monitoring, traffic filtering, unauthorized outsider access blocking, suspicious traffic blocking, and dangerous program blocking.
Conclusion
Let’s review. We distinguish 3 common DNS attack types – DDoS Amplification, DNS spoofing, and DNS flood attack. They are all dangerous and can really harm your business. So, don’t waste any more time and protect your organizations against them. How? By implementing Firewall, DNSSEC, and Monitoring service software.