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Discover escalating cyber threats to DNS infrastructure & how to enhance defenses. Learn about DNS hijacking, tunneling, DDoS attacks & monitoring with Catchpoint.
In an era marked by escalating cyber threats, Domain Name System (DNS) infrastructure security has become a key concern for IT organizations worldwide. Attacks related to DNS infrastructure, such as DNS hijacking, DNS tunneling, and DNS amplification, are on the rise. Many organizations find themselves questioning the robustness of their DNS security protocols.
According to 2021 IDC research, around 87% of organizations have experienced one or more DNS attacks, from subtle spoofing to relentless DDoS assaults, posing a direct threat to online operations. This figure has been steadily increasing year by year.
Several notable incidents are listed below.
These incidents had wide-ranging consequences, including disrupted services, compromised revenue streams, and the erosion of customer trust.
Let's look at the biggest security worries, from DNS hijacking and tunneling to DDoS attacks and setup mistakes. These vulnerabilities highlight the critical importance of vigilant monitoring and robust defenses.
DNS is a multi-layered system with various routing options and third-party providers. Not all DNS monitoring methods are equally reliable. Relying on open DNS resolvers, for instance, can yield inaccurate results.
Monitoring DNS resolution is crucial for ensuring a seamless user experience. However, blindly monitoring DNS without understanding the monitoring process can lead to flawed data analysis.
Catchpoint provides a comprehensive suite of DNS monitors, offering complete visibility throughout the resolution process. This includes various monitors that provide insight from multiple vantage points, such as last mile and backbone nodes, providing performance measurements from the end user's perspective.
Beyond validating correct DNS record mappings, you can monitor DNS resolvers or evaluate public DNS resolvers by overriding specific DNS resolvers. You can verify the proper configuration of DNSSEC for security and scrutinize each hop using a traceroute test.
Here is an example:
For instance, when examining DNS performance in Indonesia, we observed two sets of resolution times from the same nodes. Some test runs had DNS times under 20ms, while others exceeded 150ms. Through Catchpoint DNS monitoring, we identified the root cause of this behavior, pinpointing slower DNS response times from specific name servers.
Securing DNS infrastructure is crucial in the current landscape of escalating cyber threats. The surge in attacks, from hijacking to amplification assaults, highlights the need for robust security protocols. Incidents like the Dyn DDoS attack and Google Cloud's DNS error are stark reminders of the potential consequences.
Effectively countering these threats requires a multi-faceted approach. This includes implementing DNS firewalls and DNS Security Extensions (DNSSEC) and gaining comprehensive visibility into resolution processes. Catchpoint's suite of DNS monitors, encompassing last mile and backbone nodes, provides crucial end-to-end insight, allowing organizations to measure DNS performance from the user's perspective.
By adopting this proactive stance and leveraging Catchpoint's monitoring capabilities, organizations can neutralize potential risks, maintain a seamless user experience for their clientele, and strengthen their overall approach. This fortified strategy not only mitigates threats but also builds trust and resilience in an ever-evolving digital landscape.