DNS Spoofing: What is it and How Does it Work?

Imagine clicking on a trusted website and getting your data stolen by a hacker. 

One successful DNS attack can cost businesses an average of around $1.1 million to recover from. DNS attacks are more common than you think!

With the emerging technologies in cybersecurity, hackers are working tirelessly to find ways to exploit DNS vulnerabilities and steal sensitive information. One such attack is DNS Spoofing. 

In this article, we will explore what DNS is, DNS Spoofing, its consequences, how it occurs, and everything related to it. 

Before jumping in, let’s understand what a domain name system or a DNS is so you can better grasp the context of this article.

What is a Domain Name System (DNS)

The domain name system works on the backend, translating humanly readable domain names into IP addresses. It’s exceptionally essential for the Internet to work and makes it efficient for users to browse the Internet without having to manually remember and enter lengthy IP addresses in order to access specific websites.

What is DNS Spoofing?

Domain name system (DNS) spoofing is a cyberattack in which the hacker manipulates the domain name records and causes the user to land on a fraudulent website instead of the one the user intended. 

For instance, when you type google.com into your browser, you will not land on Google but a replica of Google that is designed to steal sensitive information or inject malicious software into your device. 

⚠️ Not to be confused with DNS poisoning or internet spoofing, although these words are used interchangeably, there is a subtle difference between them. 

DNS Spoofing, DNS Poisoning, and Internet Spoofing 

DNS Spoofing

It is an act of manipulating the DNS resolver by adding false and fraudulent DNS records into its cache systems. In an attempt to make the resolver send the incoming request to an incorrect IP address designed to insert malicious code in the requester’s device.

DNS spoofing is usually done on an individual or a small group of people using the same DNS server. 

DNS Poisoning 

It is a broader term that includes all the attacks that manipulate DNS servers to make them return incorrect entries when a visitor tries to visit a website. We can say DNS Spoofing is a subset of DNS Poisoning.

Typically, it impacts at a larger level because it poisons the entire DNS cache system and impacts multiple clients.

Simply put, a hacker poisons the DNS servers and spoofs users into landing on fraudulent websites, stealing their sensitive information, or injecting malicious code. 

Internet Spoofing

This is an even broader term. We can say DNS poisoning is a part of internet spoofing. It includes all the spoofing attacks on the internet, not just DNS attacks. Internet spoofing also includes IP spoofing, email spoofing, website spoofing, domain spoofing, and more. 

Types of DNS Spoofing: How Does It Work?

Generally, there are two main ways these spoofing attacks are carried out:

• MITM Attack
• Direct Server Compromise

Let’s get to know both better before moving forward on the consequences of DNS attacks.

Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) Attack

MITM is an attack that can be found in all communications between a user and a server, especially those that do not take any cyber safety precautions.

As the name suggests, the attacker becomes a man in the middle and positions between the client application and the server to interrupt or spy on the information passing by. The attacker can then easily block or alter the information, causing miscommunication or other severe complications.

Direct Server Compromise

In this attack, the hacker comprises your DNS servers, redirecting incoming users wherever they want at their will. It occurs when hackers find a vulnerability in your network domain server’s system. 

Hackers then exploit these to hijack your servers and route your website traffic to illegitimate websites containing malicious codes. If email servers are compromised, attackers also gain full access to your inbox, allowing them to snoop on all your incoming and outgoing emails.

Consequences Of DNS Spoofing

DNS viruses can be deadly for organizations and individuals. Here are a few consequences of a successful DNS spoofing attack:

Stealing Sensitive Information 

As we discussed earlier, a DNS spoof attack can lead you to fraudulent websites designed to steal sensitive information from the user. Most of the time, these fraudulent websites look identical to the ones the user wants to visit. This often tricks users into believing the website’s authenticity, and they end up entering their credit card details or social security numbers.

Malware Injection

Do you know what these fraudulent websites are full of? You guessed it, malware. 

There are over 1 billion malware worldwide, and some of them can be super deadly. 

With the help of spoofing, hackers can install ransomware to hold your website hostage until you pay the demanded ‘ransom’ to regain access to your website.

Drive-by Downloads

Hackers can also implement drive-by downloads on these fake and fraudulent websites. Drive-by downloads are executed without the user’s knowledge or consent. 

These viruses begin installation as soon as the visitor lands on the website and can include harmful variants like ransomware, spyware, etc.

Website Blocking/Censoring 

DNS spoofing can also be used to prevent your website from showing up when a user wants to visit it. Hackers can manipulate the record books and restrict users from landing on your website, causing a loss of website traffic and potential business.

Real-World DNS Attacks

The New York Times, a daily newspaper in New York City, had its DNS servers compromised on August 27, 2013, by the Syrian Electronic Army (SEA). The attack did not impact their servers but their DNS records for their domains. As a result, when users tried to access nytimes.com, they were redirected to a malicious site being controlled by the attackers of SEA.

By gaining access to the DNS records, they could modify the IP addresses associated with the domain and reroute users to websites under their control.

As a result, New York City’s website was down for several hours. The attack caused them to lose business and raised concerns about their users’ security. In response, the leading newspaper quickly regained access to its DNS systems and alleviated the damage done by the attack.

This incident highlighted the importance of proper DNS security and potential DNS threats, especially for high-profile websites like the New York Times. 

How To Fix DNS Spoofing Attack in 3 Steps

Step #1: Inspection 

First and foremost, analyze and look for potential damage that the attack has done. Monitor your DNS traffic and look for signs of tampering. Check your DNS Cache poisoning to see if your traffic returns to an incorrect IP address. 

If so, run an integrity test using a reliable tool like DNSViz to check for misconfigurations or tempering in your DNS infrastructure. 

Step #2: Elimination

Now that you have found the culprit, flush the DNS cache to flush away any malicious entries that were injected through spoofing. The process can vary for your operating system. Please perform a Google search for detailed instructions along with your system details.

Step #3: Reconfiguration

Now that your DNS settings are back to their original state, reconfigure them to prevent unauthorized changes. Run a detailed check again, and analyze if your DNS settings have been changed.

If they have, correct them by changing the IP address to the legitimate website.

That should revert the spoofing damage. But…how should you prevent it in the future?

How to Prevent DNS Spoofing: 04 Ways

As we learned from the real-world spoofing example, attackers can target any website with vulnerabilities. Given the deadly consequences of spoofing attacks, we are sure you don’t want to be one of the victims. 

Here are four actionable ways to protect your domain name systems.

1. Use DNS Security Extensions (DNSSEC)

DNSSEC, or Domain name systems security extensions, adds an additional layer of security to your domain name by enabling digital signatures. This helps DNS evaluate the response’s authenticity and ensures it has not been tempered. 

Ensure that the security extension is enabled and correctly configured for your domain. The procedure for adding a DNS security extension can vary depending on the domain name provider. For detailed instructions, check your domain provider’s website or contact them in case of confusion.

2. Regularly Update Your DNS Servers 

Outdated systems — not only DNS but outdated plugins and themes — can be gateways for hackers and attackers. Therefore, regularly update your WordPress and protect it with a security plugin such as Password Protected, an all-in-one WordPress security solution.

Regularly look for the latest security patches and updates to prevent vulnerabilities due to outdated systems.

3. Choose Secure DNS Servers

Choose trusted providers that offer proper security features and exceptional support. Implement DNS over HTTPS (DoH) or DNS over TLS (DoT) to encrypt DNS queries and prevent eavesdropping and tampering.

4. Monitor DNS Traffic

Regularly monitor incoming traffic and promptly address unusual patterns or potential attacks. Enable monitoring and quick alert systems to be quickly notified about suspicious DNS activity or unusual traffic.

Key Takeaways

Cybersecurity is no joke. One cyberattack occurs every 39 seconds. Therefore, protect your digital assets as much as you can. Secure your DNS servers, install firewalls, and protect your website with additional layers of security like 2FA and additional passwords to prevent brute force attacks. You can do all that with the Password Protected plugin. 

With regular monitoring and proper security measures, you can fight cybersecurity complications before they mess up with your website. 

Frequently Asked Questions