What Is DNS Hijacking And is It Bad?

What Is DNS Hijacking And is It Bad?

A Domain Name System (DNS) is commonly known through its abbreviation. DNS hijacking is sadly a bad thing to happen as it is a serious threat to computer systems with serious consequences. This kind of attack enables hackers and other malicious parties to hijack and overtake DNS settings. This then reroutes users to fraudulent sites which also affects a lot of users.

Let us now fully understand DNS hijacking and understand what it actually does.

Understanding the meaning and function of a DNS

A Domain Name System (DNS) can track, catalog, sort, and regulate websites anytime and anywhere in the world. It gives users the chance to access information online. It does so by translating a domain name into the required IP address, or as required by browsers for loading internet resources like infographics, blogs, webpages, and the like. 

Understanding DNS Hijacking and how bad it is

DNS hijacking is alternatively known as a DNS redirection attack. It is where DNS queries sent from the victim’s computer aren’t totally resolved. They are thus redirected to a fraudulent website which is malicious in nature.

Numerous DNS spoofing attacks have taken place, especially DNS Cache poisoning. Here the system logs in the fraudulent IP address in the local memory cache. The other parts of the system are focused on altering the DNS records.

DNS hijacking involves changing the DNS settings and that too for the wrong reasons. This happens when the wrong kind of software is installed on the computer systems of victims.This gives hackers the opportunity to 

• Take over the user’s router.
• Intercept DNS signals.
• Hack the communication patterns of the DNS.

DNS hijacking is quite destructive and disruptive in the wider universe of the DNS itself. It is a major problem as it affects all kinds of users. It provides hackers the chance to deploy phishing scams. Victims are unfortunately shown fake versions of real websites which can steal dta of users. The following kind of data is targeted:

• Login credentials.
• Usernames.
• Passwords.
• Debit/Credit card/Financial information.
• Social media account details.
• Other saved information.

When it comes to online stores and other portals facing consumers, DNS hijacking can be quite tricky. Cybercriminals are given the chance to reach legitimate website visitors of legitimate companies and direct them to dubious and fraudulent web pages.

When users have been redirected to those sites, hackers can steal their information and credentials. These pages look too good to be true, and thus are not safe places to visit online.

The information stolen can be information of regular users as well as information of employees used for organizational purposes (internal portals, work purposes, etc.). Sometimes sensitive data is also stolen and that can raise alarms.

The consequence of this attack is that hackers harvest information coming in from official emails. DNS hijacking is costlier than a DDoS attack because the data and information stolen is valuable and ransom is also paid for their recovery. In fact, it is one of the worst kinds of attacks any company or individual has ever faced, especially their privacy.

The modus operandi of DNS hijacking - what to understand about it?

When users type in a web address in a browser, the browser gathers information for them from the webpage in the local browser cache (especially if they visited that site recently). Alternatively, it can send a DNS query to that website’s server which is often provided by a well-reputed internet service provider.

The communication point between users’ browsers sending the DNS request and the server of the site they wished to visit is quite valuable to an attack. The reason is that the communication point is not encrypted.

At this point, hackers have the chance to intercept the query and redirect users to bad websites where they can steal their information and even extort them for it. DNS DDoS protection becomes necessary because users are redirected to bad websites that really aren’t websites but rather machines of theft and extortion. Here are some common forms of DNS Hijacking attacks:

• Local hijacking.
• Router Hijacking.
• Rogue Hijacking.
• The man in the middle attack.

Each one of them is different and also dangerous. This is why companies should take this seriously.