Category Archives: Servers

DKIM record – Everything you need to know

DKIM record – What does it mean?

The DKIM record, or DomainKeys Identified Mail, is a security standard allowing domains to sign outgoing emails through cryptographic authentication. In this approach, domains can demonstrate that the emails arriving from their end are authentic. So they are trustworthy. The DKIM record also protects communications to stop tampering with them while in transit (sending server-recipient server).

How does it function?

In addition to collaborating with SPF and DMARC to create several layers of security for domains sending emails, DKIM is compatible with the current email infrastructure. When an email leaves the sender server, it is signed with a private key using public-key cryptography.

Then, in order to confirm the message’s origin and ensure that it was not altered in transit, recipient servers employ a public key that has been made available to a domain’s DNS. Finally, the email passes DKIM and is valid if the receiver server confirms the signature using the public key.

How to check DKIM record?

Advantages of utilizing DKIM record

  • DKIM is easily enabled. It is a self-certification mechanism. Therefore, three-party certification is not necessary for it to function.
  • It protects your users from forged emails. The DKIM record guards against forgery and modification of the emails you send from its email server. DKIM is an excellent tool for your business to build a trustworthy reputation by thwarting spoofing and phishing.
  • The bodies of emails remain unaffected. The header contains the information needed for validating and authenticating.
  • It works at the level of domain names. The DNS administrator signs all outgoing emails. Every user does not have to do that every time they send a message.
  • Additional security thanks to DMARC. More security tools are available that can help you become a better guard, such as the DMARC record. Additionally, the basis for it to function is a DKIM record.

Important DKIM TAGS

You will be able to use the following tags within the DKIM:

v – the DKIM’s version.

a – the employed signing algorithm is specified. It is compatible with RSA-SHA1 and RSA-SHA256.

b – a signature

bh – it stands for body hash.

c – Canonicalization of the message.

d – denotes the domain name.

h, header fields – this is a list of the signed header fields.

i – Unique identifier for the user or agent.

l – stands for body length.

q – DKIM’s default query method is DNS/TXT.

s – it denotes a selector.

t – is the signature timestamp.

x – the expiration date of the signature.

z – duplicated header fields.

Conclusion

Cybercriminals create spam and phishing campaigns by forging emails from reputable domains. So, hackers find it more challenging to impersonate businesses’ email domains, thanks to DKIM. Therefore, it’s crucial to comprehend and use this DNS record type. Best luck!

DNS Spoofing: Why is it so dangerous?

DNS Spoofing is an absolutely dangerous and harmful attack. In this article, we will explore its purpose, the different DNS Spoofing methods, and the ways to protect yourself against it. If this matches your desire, let’s start.

DNS Spoofing purpose

Cache poisoning, often known as DNS Spoofing, is a hacking attack. To respond to users’ queries by transmitting a forged record, such as a phony IP address, malicious DNS data or files (forged records, forged entries) are placed into the DNS cache of a resolution server. The goal is simple: redirect visitors to a site where attackers will attempt to steal users’ passwords and sensitive information.

The falsified data fools consumers’ devices into thinking they’re visiting the legitimate website they requested. Instead, they’re on their way to an unsafe location controlled by assailants. When users arrive, the website may resemble the one they expected. They are, however, in a forgery.

Methods types of DNS Spoofing

Attackers might employ a variety of strategies to achieve their illegitimate goals.

The purpose, as previously stated, is to redirect traffic to fake websites.

  • Poisining via DNS cache. In spam e-mails, corrupted code can be found in advertising, graphics, or URLs. Users’ devices are poisoned after they click the URL. After that, the malware directs users to fake websites.
  • Man-in-the-middle attack (spoofing DNS answers). This strategy aims to poison both the server and the user’s device simultaneously. The criminal is located between your browser and the DNS server in this case. Through software that injects the code, the communication is poisoned.
  • Hijack of a DNS server. The hacker gains access to the server, exploiting flaws, modifying its settings, adding a bogus entry, etc. What is the outcome? Every IP request that tries to access a specific website (the one that has been spoofed) will end up at the counterfeit website.

Prevention mechanisms

There are several techniques to defend yourself against such an attack. The following are a few of them:

  • Encryption. To keep DNS data, such as queries and responses, safe, encrypt it. A copy of the original web site’s security certificate cannot be forged.
  • Links that are unfamiliar to you. On the spur of the moment, don’t click on dubious URLs. These URLs are usually attached to spam or social media messages and come from unknown senders. By avoiding clicking on them, users may secure their data.
  • VPS (Virtual Private System) (VPN). Connecting to public networks carries more risks. You can safely interact with servers and communicate with domains using a VPN.
  • Detection. Use tools to analyze DNSSEC data received. It helps to authenticate data by employing digitally signed DNS records. As a result, DNSSEC ensures that DNS lookups are legitimate.
  • DNS cache. DNS data from frequently visited sites is retained for some time. As a result, it’s possible that only the user’s device, rather than the server, has been hacked. Cleaning the DNS cache regularly is a smart way to avoid the browser’s phony sites being routed.

Conclusion

Let’s review. DNS Spoofing can be highly inconvenient for both web users and site owners. An attacker’s primary motivation for carrying out a DNS Spoofing attack is either self-interest or the expansion of malware. DNS Spoofing impacts the server’s DNS registry, consciously rerouting the customer during a request to a suspicious IP address. How does your company defend itself from spoofing actions? By Encryption, Detection, VPS, etc.