A DNS is like a phone book for the internet. With a phone book, you can look up your friend’s name and find their phone number instead of having to remember the number yourself. Similarly, a DNS allows users to reference simple domain names like www.performanceconnectivity.com when looking for a particular website instead of difficult to remember IP Addresses. A DNS can perform this function for any device connected to the network, making it a fundamental and critically important feature of internet use.
What is a DNS attack?
Unfortunately, the DNS can be an attractive means of attack from cybercriminals. Hackers will interject their own commands into the user-server exchange and corrupt its normal function. These types of attacks include:
- Cache poisoning: The hacker replaces a legitimate IP address with a malicious IP address. When the user searches for a domain name, a fake website appears to trick the user into providing their private information. This is commonly done to e-commerce websites where users input their financial information to make purchases.
- Denial of Service: A bot floods a targeted IP address with traffic in order to bring down the website.
- DNS Amplification: Using recursive lookups, the hacker accesses other DNS servers and spreads malicious code between them.
- Fast-Flux DNS: The hacker changes DNS records frequently to avoid being detected by their IP Address.
What can businesses do to avoid DNS attacks?
Luckily, there are ways to minimize the risk of DNS attacks. The number one thing you can do to secure your network from hackers is to hire a professional and experienced IT Managed Service Provider IT (MSP). An IT MSP will actively monitor your network for suspicious activity and mitigate threats before they can cause serious damage. Furthermore, a good IT MSP will be able to prevent harm to your network by implementing security protocols that stop hackers before they can even get started. They will keep your DNS software up to date, monitor the traffic between user PCs and the servers, and configure the servers to isolate and duplicate various DNS functions to add extra layers of protection to your network.
What is the next step?
Ask your IT MSP about your DNS protection. See if there are any updates or vulnerabilities that they would like to bring to your attention. If you don’t have an IT MSP, look for a professional company that has many years or experience in B2B managed IT services.
PCI has over 20 years of experience providing managed IT services to small businesses. We provide robust DNS protection and active monitoring that keeps your network secure. Our professional oversight has stopped hackers in their tracks, saving our clients time, grief and money by avoiding costly and damaging data leaks.
If you would like to get started with DNS protection for your business, give us a call at 914-934-9775 or email us at info@p-connect.com.