What does DNS spoofing mean?

DNS spoofing is a form of cybercrime. Criminals insert spoofed or stolen DNS records into a recursive server’s cache. This is due to answering DNS users’ queries with a falsified record, such as a forged IP address. Legitimate traffic is therefore fraudulently redirected to dangerous places (generated websites). Once there, consumers may be compelled to enter sensitive information (passwords, bank credit card details, etc.) for hackers to exploit later.

The DNS attack most frequently happens on public Wi-Fi networks, although it can occur anywhere an attacker can poison ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) tables. In practice, it forces targeted user devices to utilize the attacker-controlled machine as the website’s server.

Which are the DNS Spoofing methods?

The following are some of the more frequent DNS spoofing methods:

• Man-in-the-middle duping occurs when an attacker infects both your web browser and the DNS server. Here is using a tool simultaneously poisoning the cache on your local device and the DNS server. As a result, the attacker’s local server redirects to a rogue site.
• DNS spoofing by spam: DNS cache poisoning malware commonly occurs in URLs received in spam emails. These mails are meant for people to visit the provided URL, infecting their PC.
• DNS server hijacking: The criminal changes the server’s configuration to send all requesting users to the malicious website. Any IP request for the faked domain will result in the phony site after a fraudulent DNS record is put into the DNS server.

How to protect yourself from it?

There are various ways to protect yourself from such an attack. Some of them are as follows:

• Encryption. Use encrypt DNS data, such as queries and responses, to keep it safe. It is impossible to forge a copy of the original website’s security certificate.
• Detection. Use software for analyzing received data 
• DNSSEC. It aids in authenticating data using DNS records that are digitally signed. As a result, DNSSEC ensures the legitimacy of DNS lookups.
• Virtual Private Network (VPN). Connecting to public networks has greater dangers. VPN allows you to interact with servers safely and communicate with domains.
• DNS cache. The DNS data of frequently visited sites are kept for some time. As a result, it’s possible that only the user’s device has been faked, rather than the server. Cleaning the DNS cache regularly is a good practice to avoid routing the browser’s phony sites.
• Unfamiliar links. Don’t click on questionable URLs on the spur of the moment. These URLs generally come from unknown senders and are attached to spam or social media messages. Users can protect their data by avoiding clicking on them.

Conclusion

In conclusion, DNS spoofing is really dangerous and can cost you a lot of time and money. Therefore, consider preventive steps carefully to avoid this happening.