In the intricate world of the internet, where billions of data requests are processed every second, the Domain Name System (DNS) plays a crucial role. As the internet’s “phonebook,” DNS translates human-readable domain names (like www.andromedia.com.au) into machine-readable IP addresses. While DNS is essential for the seamless functioning of the web, it also comes with vulnerabilities that cybercriminals are eager to exploit. This is where DNS security comes into play—a critical line of defence for businesses and individuals.

In this blog, we’ll explore DNS security, why it matters, and how you can protect your online assets from DNS-related threats.

What Is DNS Security?

DNS security refers to the measures and protocols implemented to safeguard the Domain Name System’s integrity, confidentiality, and availability. While DNS was initially designed for speed and efficiency, security was not a top priority. This oversight has made DNS a frequent target for cyberattacks, ranging from DNS spoofing to Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks.

With the rise in sophisticated cyber threats, protecting the DNS infrastructure has become essential. Effective DNS security ensures that DNS queries and responses are not intercepted, manipulated, or disrupted by malicious actors.

Why Is DNS Security Important?

The importance of DNS security cannot be overstated. Whenever you access a website, send an email, or perform an online transaction, DNS is critical in directing traffic to the correct destination. If the DNS infrastructure is compromised, attackers can redirect users to fraudulent websites, steal sensitive data, or disrupt online services.

Here are some key reasons why DNS security is vital:

  1. Prevents Data Theft: A compromised DNS system can lead users to malicious websites that steal personal or financial information.
  2. Ensures Website Availability: DNS attacks like DDoS can overwhelm servers, causing websites to go offline and resulting in revenue loss and reputational damage.
  3. Maintains User Trust: Customers rely on the integrity of your website. A DNS breach can erode trust and damage your brand.
  4. Protects Against Malware Distribution: Cybercriminals often use DNS vulnerabilities to distribute malware or ransomware, impacting businesses and individuals.

Common DNS Security Threats

Understanding the threats targeting DNS is the first step in building a robust DNS security strategy. Below are some of the most common DNS-based attacks:

1. DNS Spoofing (Cache Poisoning)

In a DNS spoofing attack, hackers insert false information into a DNS resolver’s cache, causing it to return incorrect IP addresses. This allows attackers to redirect users to malicious websites without their knowledge.

2. DDoS Attacks

Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks overwhelm DNS servers with excessive traffic, rendering them unable to respond to legitimate queries. These attacks can cripple websites and disrupt online services.

3. DNS Tunneling

DNS tunnelling exploits the DNS protocol to transmit malicious data or exfiltrate sensitive information. This method allows attackers to bypass traditional security measures, such as firewalls.

4. Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) Attacks

In a DNS MitM attack, cybercriminals intercept and manipulate DNS queries and responses. This enables them to redirect users to malicious websites or steal sensitive data.

5. Domain Hijacking

Domain hijacking involves gaining unauthorized access to a domain’s DNS settings. Attackers can reroute traffic, steal information, or take control of the domain entirely.

What kind of DNS security measures are in place on Andro Media’s Servers?

At Andro Media, we use Lania as our hosting and domain platform. Lania’s servers keep your website running without interruption. In addition to the default security measures such as usage of DNSSEC and DNS filtering

PCI compliant

All of Lania’s servers are PCI-compliant, i.e. the technical and operational guidelines companies adhere to to safeguard and preserve credit card information supplied by cardholders and transmitted during card processing transactions is known as payment card industry (PCI) compliance.

Hardware Firewall

A firewall is a network security tool that monitors traffic entering and leaving the network. Hardware firewalls prevent certain types of traffic from leaving the network and block traffic over any unused or unwanted ports from entering the network, such as traffic that could leak sensitive data. Lania uses Fortinet Firewalls, one of the best hardware firewalls in the industry.

Web Application Firewall (WAF)

A WAF, or Web Application Firewall, filters and monitors HTTP traffic between a web application and the Internet. It generally shields web applications from various threats, including SQL injection. Lania uses ModSecurity, an open-source web-based firewall application (or WAF).

ConfigServer Firewall (CSF)

CSF is a software-based firewall installed on the servers. It offers a sophisticated and user-friendly web-based interface for controlling firewall settings, and the server account is shielded from malicious tools that attempt to access your website via unaffiliated services. Login Failure Daemon (LFD) is a child service with ConfigServer Firewall.

Login Failure Daemon (LFD)

LFD is a process that periodically searches the most recent log file entries for login attempts made against your server that may have failed repeatedly in a short time. These attacks are called “brute-force attacks,” the LFD process reacts swiftly to such patterns by blocking offending IPs.

DDoS Mitigation

The process of effectively defending a targeted server or network against a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack is known as DDoS mitigation. An intentional attempt to obstruct regular traffic on a server, service, or network by flooding the target or its surrounding infrastructure with excessive Internet traffic is known as a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack.

CXS 

A server antivirus system called ConfigServer Exploit Scanner (CXS) identifies and removes malware.

CloudLinux and CageFS

In addition to security, Lania servers provide privacy because users cannot see other users or discern whether others are present on the server. This is done using a virtualized file system on Linux-based Operating System Servers known as CageFS.

Contact us if you have any questions regarding Hosting and Domains. 

DNS Security for Businesses

For businesses, the stakes are even higher regarding DNS security. A compromised DNS can lead to financial losses, reputational damage, and legal liabilities. Partnering with an experienced IT security provider or DNS management service can help protect your DNS infrastructure against evolving threats.

Andro Media offers comprehensive DNS security solutions via Lania tailored to your organisation’s needs. From deploying DNSSEC to monitoring traffic and mitigating DDoS attacks, our expertise can provide the security required for your digital assets.

Conclusion

In an era when cyber threats are more advanced than ever, prioritising DNS security is no longer optional—it’s a necessity. From protecting sensitive data to ensuring the availability of online services, securing your DNS infrastructure is a critical step in safeguarding your online presence.

Implementing DNSSEC, DNS filtering, and traffic monitoring can significantly reduce your vulnerability to DNS-based attacks. For businesses, working with a professional DNS security provider like Lania can provide peace of mind and ensure that your operations remain secure in an increasingly connected world.