Tag Archives: IP

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.

IPv6 explained

What does IPv6 mean?

IPv6 is the latest version of Internet protocol (IP). These protocols are sets of rules for the devices. They are needed to achieve sending and receiving information. The exchange of data happens between a host and a recipient, which is another host. To succeed in the communication, these hosts have to be identified. Their location can be tracked with the help of their corresponding IP addresses. So, the route is established, and the exchange of data can be performed.

An interesting fact is that IPv6 is around for more than twenty years. The introduction was in 1995. The tremendous growth of devices wanting to connect to the Internet showed that IPv4 wouldn’t be able to fulfill such needs. Thus the IPv6 was created and ready to be implemented. However, people were not ready to stop using IPv4. It is a transformation that requires a long period of time to complete.

If you try to count the number of computers, smartphones, tablets, and Internet of things (IoT) that want to connect to the web, they request a unique and individual IP address every day. So, you could assume how significant is the role of IP addresses and also their daily supply.

How does the IPv6 address look like?

IPv6 addresses contain eight sequences of four hexadecimal digits. They are all separated by colons. Also, each sequence signifies 16 bits.

Here is an example with Google’s IPv6 address: 2607:f8b0:4004:0807:0000:0000:0000:200e

Why apply it?

  • You need IP addresses for domain name resolution if you have a website or a network. Perhaps you have an A DNS record, and you use IPv4 for now. Although sooner, it will accrue the need to migrate to AAAA record and IPv6.
  • Connecting several devices and IoT is much more easily. Usually, to accomplish this, you need a lot of IP addresses. To solve this, you have to use network address translation (NAT). It helps map several local private addresses to a public IP as a prior action to transfer the data. If you apply IPv6, you skip this step.
  • Suppose you want to set up network routing at your business or at home. You have to know that there is a chance that older devices may not support the new IPv6.
  • If you want to make several services available on the Internet. For example, application hosting, web hosting, etc.
  • IPv6 is 5G, and its structure is compatible with the future Internet. 

IPv4 vs. IPv6

  • Thanks to the 128-bit addresses, the new IPv6 can provide more than enough available IP addresses. 
  • Another great innovation is IPSec. It is a method of authentication, which encrypts the connection. Also, it validates the sender of the packets. So this allows the receiver to be able to check the data’s origin.
  • SLAAC – stateless address auto-configuration. When you are using IPv6 in a network, you can apply the SLAAC. It will provide a new host’s auto-configuration, and a DHCP server won’t be needed. However, DHCP can still be involved with IPv6 addresses also.
  • There is no more problem with the packets’ fragmentation. The previous IPv4 address experienced it and led to numerous difficulties.