What is DNS Hijacking - How to Protect Yourself?

Summary

This video explains DNS hijacking and redirection attacks, how DNS works, and how cybercriminals exploit it for malicious purposes. It covers types of DNS hijacking, including local, router, man-in-the-middle, and server hijacking, as well as techniques like DNS spoofing and cache poisoning. The video offers practical tips for protecting yourself, such as using DNSSEC, securing routers, using VPNs, and opting for trusted DNS servers. Viewers will gain an understanding of how these attacks work and the steps they can take to safeguard their online security.

Takeaways

• 😀 DNS stands for Domain Name System and works like a phonebook for the internet, converting domain names into IP addresses for website access.
• 😀 DNS hijacking is when cybercriminals manipulate DNS settings, redirecting users to malicious websites for phishing, advertisements, or data theft.
• 😀 Types of DNS hijacking include local DNS hijacking, router DNS hijacking, man-in-the-middle hijacking, and DNS server hijacking.
• 😀 DNS spoofing involves attackers providing false DNS responses, often by poisoning the DNS cache to redirect users to malicious sites.
• 😀 DNS hijacking involves malware that alters DNS settings, while DNS spoofing manipulates DNS records without changing settings directly on the user's device.
• 😀 Regularly scanning for malware is a key prevention step, as hackers often use malware to change DNS settings on a user’s device.
• 😀 Keeping software updated and installing security patches helps protect against vulnerabilities that hackers might exploit in DNS hijacking attacks.
• 😀 Changing the default router password and ensuring router firmware is up to date is crucial for preventing router-level DNS hijacking.
• 😀 Using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) is an effective way to secure internet browsing and reduce the chances of DNS hijacking.
• 😀 Secured DNS servers like Google Public DNS or OpenDNS can be used to prevent ISP-based redirections and improve security against DNS hijacking.
• 😀 Website owners should implement DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extensions) to protect against DNS hijacking and spoofing attacks.

Q & A

What is DNS and how does it work?

DNS (Domain Name System) works like a phone book for the internet. It converts human-readable domain names into machine-readable IP addresses, allowing you to access websites without needing to remember the IP addresses.

Why is DNS important for accessing websites?

DNS is crucial because it enables users to access websites by resolving domain names (like google.com) into their respective IP addresses, which computers use to establish connections.

What is DNS hijacking?

DNS hijacking is when cybercriminals alter the DNS settings of a user’s device or a DNS server to redirect traffic to malicious websites, often to display ads or steal sensitive information.

What are the types of DNS hijacking?

There are four main types of DNS hijacking: Local DNS Hijacking, Router DNS Hijacking, Man-in-the-Middle DNS Hijacking, and DNS Server Hijacking.

How do hackers perform local DNS hijacking?

In local DNS hijacking, hackers use malware, such as a Trojan, to alter the DNS settings on a user's device, redirecting them to malicious websites instead of the intended ones.

What is router DNS hijacking?

Router DNS hijacking involves exploiting vulnerabilities in a router's firmware to change its DNS settings, affecting all devices connected to that router and redirecting them to malicious sites.

What is Man-in-the-Middle DNS hijacking?

In Man-in-the-Middle DNS hijacking, hackers intercept the communication between your device and the DNS server, modifying the DNS response to redirect you to a malicious website without your knowledge.

What is DNS spoofing and DNS cache poisoning?

DNS spoofing refers to tricking the DNS system by providing false DNS records, while DNS cache poisoning involves injecting malicious DNS records into a device's cache, causing the device to redirect to harmful websites.

What is the difference between DNS hijacking and DNS spoofing?

DNS hijacking typically involves changing the DNS server settings to redirect traffic, while DNS spoofing involves falsifying DNS responses, either by poisoning the cache or intercepting communications.

How can users protect themselves from DNS hijacking?

To protect against DNS hijacking, users can scan their devices for malware, use VPNs for secure browsing, change default router passwords, use secure DNS servers (like Google DNS or OpenDNS), and keep their software updated.