Domain Name System (DNS) and Domain Name hijacking are common threats that destroy firms’ capital and goodwill. It is also called a DNS redirection attack. Hijackers take control of the company’s websites and divert traffic and login details to a fake website. The hijackers access confidential data and login details by adopting the DNS hijacking process.
They also obtain details of customers’ email addresses and start phishing attacks on staff and customers through the company’s domain. The activity is legitimate because the company’s domain is used for the whole activity.
DNS Hijacking is a serious threat to individuals and corporate firms. In the case of individual users, it causes phishing scams. In phishing scams, the hijackers display fake versions of legitimate websites and steal users’ information, including login details, passwords, and bank and credit card information. As discussed above, hijackers redirect the company’s website visitors to the fake website and steal data.
It may be strange that several Internet service providers (ISPs) and the government also use DNS hijacking to control users’ DNS requests. The purpose is to get data for their advertisements and marketing. The government may use DNS hijacking for censorship and to direct users to government-approved domains and pages.
What is DNS?
DNS is a critical Internet component that converts human-readable domain names into numeric IP addresses (such as 192.0.2.1) that computers use to determine one another on the network. It operates as an internet service that changes URLs, such as google.com. Through DNS, an IP address is connected to every website. When a website’s IP address and URL match, the DNS server reports the match. Imagine it as an address book listing people and their addresses.
DNS Hijacking – Mechanism
When you enter a URL into your browser’s address bar, it routes the request to a DNS server. A server converts a URL into an IP address connecting you to the target domain. But, verification errors can result in contact with an erroneous DNS server. An attacker could use a rogue device between the device and the DNS server to intercept DNS traffic. In this case, the hacker takes control of the DNS server, changing DNS settings and infecting your machine.
With DNS hijacking, hackers copy websites and steal user data such as IP addresses and passwords. The DNSChanger virus, which altered DNS settings on over 4 million PCs through deceptive advertising and earned over $14 million, is one example of the sophisticated software that often makes this strategy possible.
DNS Hijacking – Censoring the Internet
DNS hijacking is a strategy used by cybercriminals and, in certain circumstances, governments to censor internet content. The hijacking permits restricting access to particular websites or redirecting users to fake or filtered material by sending requests for DNS information to malicious servers rather than to genuine ones. By limiting information availability and stifling free speech, this type of censorship affects the democratic character of the Internet.
DNS Hijacking – Prevention
It is necessary to avoid hacking involving rogue DNS hijacking, local DNS hijacking, or router hijacking. The hijackers may exploit malware that exposes passwords, putting users’ login information at risk. Antivirus software can help detect and stop these kinds of attacks. Use a reliable VPN to improve security against data compromise. Virtual private networks (VPNs) like ExtremeVPN improve online safety by encrypting information. Use reliable security programs to protect your private information.
DNS Hijacking – Fix
Choosing a faulty DNS server creates serious privacy issues because it can track every domain you access. You can use DNS server switching as a workaround for local Internet service provider restrictions. But, this authority may turn away from ISPs for legitimate reasons.
Resolving this issue by moving to independent DNS providers like OpenDNS or Google DNS is possible. Several VPNs run their own DNS servers to provide safe connections and defense against hijacking. Your browsing is protected from government or ISP censorship and remains unrestricted when you use such VPNs.
Conclusion
DNS hijacking is a serious problem on the Internet that affects all types of organizations. Malware can enter your systems through DNS manipulation caused by cache poisoning and tunneling techniques. Website disruptions or even the takeover of public DNS records are possible outcomes of such attacks. By using third-party solutions and implementing strong security measures for DNS data management, you can reduce the risk of accidents and relieve some of your IT tasks.
FAQs
What is DNS Hijacking?
DNS hijacking, or a DNS redirection attack, happens when DNS requests sent from a victim’s browser are intercepted and resolved, directing the user to a malicious website. There are a few ways to carry out this hijacking: infected malware, router manipulation, interception, or name server compromise.
Can VPNs prevent DNS Hijacking?
VPNs are essential for avoiding DNS hijacking. Most VPN services run their own DNS servers, preventing third parties from intercepting your DNS requests. One VPN provider that guarantees internet traffic security is ExtremeVPN, which uses encrypted DNS on all its servers.
How to detect DNS Hijacking?
It is necessary to identify particular signs to detect DNS hijacking. These consist of notices suggesting malware infections on your device, unexpected pop-up advertisements on trustworthy websites, and slow webpage loading times. Further methods to detect DNS hijacking efforts include pinging the network, looking through router configurations, or using software such as WhoIsMyDNS.
How does DNS hijacking work?
Your browser’s communication channel between a DNS request and the name server’s answer is targeted during DNS hijacking. Because this correspondence is usually not encrypted, cybercriminals use this weakness to intercept the request and send you to their malicious websites, often to extract you.
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