As the internet has become part of our everyday activities, threats of DNS attacks are also a fact of life.

DNS attacks are cyberattacks that target and exploit vulnerabilities in a network’s DNS. Cybercriminals who perform these malicious attacks aim to disrupt or hijack website traffic, redirecting users to fraudulent websites or blocking their access entirely. The consequences of such attacks can be severe.

As these attacks grow more sophisticated, it’s smart to learn how to identify the warning signs of DNS attacks. Here, No-IP will explore DNS attacks further, highlighting how cybercriminals exploit DNS vulnerabilities, the impact DNS attacks have on business, and the most common types of attacks to be on the lookout for.

Quick Definition: DNS

Before we dive into DNS attacks, let’s quickly go over the definition of “DNS.”Think of Domain Name System (DNS) as the internet’s phonebook. It’s responsible for translating human-readable domain names into machine-readable IP addresses. This process allows browsers to load websites, making DNS a necessary component of internet functionality.

What Are DNS Attacks?

DNS attacks are any attacks or threats that target the availability or stability of a network’s DNS service. These attacks manipulate or exploit DNS vulnerabilities. The result is service disruptions or unauthorized access to potentially sensitive information. Cybercriminals take advantage of DNS weaknesses in several ways, which we’ll talk about later on. The goals of DNS attacks often include:

• Data theft: DNS queries get redirected to another website. This alternate website might be host to a computer virus. It also might mimic your own website, tricking users into sharing their login credentials or credit card info.
• Downtime and service disruption: DNS attacks can cause websites or services to be unavailable. This is especially harmful to companies that connect with customers online or use internal servers for daily work.
• Unauthorized access: Attackers can exploit DNS vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to networks or systems. They can steal personal information, money, or any other valuable information.

The Impact of DNS Attacks on Business

DNS is a core element of how customers access company websites and online services, so naturally any disruption can have significant impacts. The wide-ranging fallout of a DNS attack on your business might include:

Operational Disruption

A DNS attack can overwhelm DNS servers, temporarily making websites and services inaccessible. Additionally, DNS attacks disrupt communication through online channels such as email.

Financial Loss

Websites offline due to a DNS attack cannot be accessed by customers. The downtime sustained from the attack can directly impact sales, particularly for e-commerce websites. The longer a website remains inaccessible, the worse the financial loss could become. Investigating the source of the attack, remediating the problem, and restoring services can add to the monetary cost (and, it’s stressful!).

Damage to Reputation and Customer Trust

DNS attacks on a business can redirect customers to fake or malicious websites. Without the customer knowing, their personal data could be stolen and used. Data leaks can damage your company’s reputation and cause customers to hesitate before trusting you again.

Legal Consequences

DNS attacks that result in data breaches require swift action on the company’s part. They are legally obligated to inform customers and regulators. Failing to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) laws could result in hefty fines.

Common Types of DNS Attacks

There are several approaches cybercriminals take to attacking the Domain Name System. The most common are as follows:

DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service)

A DDoS attack overwhelms a DNS server by flooding it with traffic from multiple sources. With the server out of commission, the it becomes unavailable for your real users. The goal of this attack is to exhaust resources and prevent the server from responding to genuine requests.

DNS Spoofing and Cache Poisoning

DNS spoofing, also known as “cache poisoning,” is the result of cybercriminals injecting incorrect DNS records into the cache of a DNS resolver. This tricks it into returning fake IP addresses to internet users. The attack then achieves its goal: Redirecting users to malicious websites.

Domain Hijacking

By exploiting weaknesses in DNS infrastructure, attackers take control of a domain name and change its registration details. Now that the domain no longer under your control, cybercriminals can easily redirect users to other websites.

DNS Tunneling

This DNS attack is where attackers encode data in DNS queries and responses to bypass network security measures like firewalls. Attackers use DNS queries as a covert communication channel for data exfiltration or malware control.

NXDOMAIN Attack

This DNS attack involves overloading a DNS server with requests for non-existent domains. This causes the server to dedicate all of its time to processing invalid requests. The attack can compromise the performance of the DNS server, making it unusable for legitimate users.

Phantom Domain Attack

These attacks occurs when an attacker registers a fake domain name that closely resembles a legitimate one. The goal is to trick users into visiting a fraudulent website by exploiting typos or similar-looking URLs. As with most of these attacks, the goal is to trick your site visitors into accessing fraudulent websites.

Random Subdomain Attack

A type of DDoS attack, this DNS threat involves flooding a target DNS server with a large volume of requests for non-existent subdomains. This act overwhelms the server and prevents legitimate users from accessing the website.

Registrar Hijacking

This DNS attack occurs when someone transfers domain ownership away without your knowledge or permission. Stealing domain ownership allows cybercriminals to redirect website traffic or to repurpose your domain for phishing or malware. 

Best Practices for DNS Attack Prevention

For effective DNS attack prevention, you’ll want a multi-layered approach. Having a well-rounded strategy protects your data, your finances, and your reputation. 

Best practices for DNS attack prevention include:

• Use encryption to protect data as it is transferred between servers and devices
• Use Managed DNS services for robust protection
• Regular DNS monitoring and activity logging
• Implement DNSSEC (DNS Security Extensions)
• Keep DNS software and systems updated
• Restrict DNS zone transfers and limit public access
• Use two-factor authentication to discourage unauthorized logins 
• DNS backup that reroutes visitors if your primary DNS becomes unavailable

How to Get Started with No-IP’s DNS Security Solutions

A single DNS attack can lead to several harmful and costly consequences. Reducing the threat of DNS attacks is crucial for anyone who operates online. DNS attack prevention requires a comprehensive approach that includes advanced technical defenses and proactive monitoring. No-IP’s Anycast network provides reliability, security, and performance, which are key differentiators in stopping DNS attacks.

Readers seeking information regarding our proven DNS solutions should explore our Managed DNS plans. Don’t wait to learn how No-IP can help fortify your DNS and meet your needs.