DNS hijacking: how to prevent it?

The Domain Name System (DNS) is essential for all companies that depend on the Internet to generate sales—it's a critical element for the performance and legitimacy of an organization's web-based applications and cloud services. A gap in your DNS can lead to lost users, access to user credentials by hackers, unavailable content and user frustration, among other consequences. One of the most common types of DNS server breaches is DNS hijacking, which targets the stability of a network's domain server system.

What is DNS Hijacking?

Domain Name Server (DNS) hijacking is a type of DNS attack in which an attacker purposefully manipulates how DNS queries are resolved to redirect users to malicious websites. Hackers either install malware on user computers, take control of routers, or intercept or break DNS connections to carry out an attack.

DNS hijacking can also be used for phishing or spoofing. After hijacking the real site's DNS, attackers redirect users to a fake site where they are invited to enter login credentials or sensitive financial information. Some governments also use DNS spoofing to redirect users to government-approved sites as part of their censorship strategy.

How does this work?

Cybercriminals use DNS hijacking to install malware on your computer, spread phishing schemes, get advertising space on popular websites, and other forms of online extortion. After the user's DNS is redirected to the malicious server, any queries to the original DNS server are redirected to the malicious websites' IP addresses. Any website, no matter how big or small, is vulnerable to having its DNS information stolen and redirected to a fake domain.

Since legitimate DNS servers provided by ISPs are trusted by website owners, DNS thieves use malware like a Trojan to replace the legitimate DNS server designation with a manually set DNS server from a fake DNS server.

Internet users typing in the addresses of real companies are redirecting their browsers to malicious websites that they want to visit. Neither the user nor the original website owner will see when the DNS server is changed. Because the victim believes they are on a legitimate site, they are left open to whatever criminal activity the attacker plans.

Types of DNS hijacking attacks

• Local DNS hijacking: This happens when malware installed on the user's device changes the DNS settings. Attackers trick users into downloading malware that changes DNS settings. The malware then changes DNS server addresses in the device's network settings to point to malicious servers. As a result, through redirects to phishing sites, attackers steal sensitive information such as login credentials and financial information.
• Router DNS hijacking: This type of attack targets home or small office routers by exploiting weak security to change DNS settings. Attackers exploit known vulnerabilities in the router's firmware or use default login credentials to gain access. After entering the control panel of the router, they change the DNS server addresses to addresses controlled by attackers. This means that every device connected to a compromised router is redirected to malicious sites when it requests DNS.
• Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) DNS hijacking: This is a sophisticated attack that involves intercepting and altering the DNS communication between the user's device and the DNS server. Attackers place themselves between the user and the DNS server, intercept DNS requests and send fake DNS responses back to the user, redirecting them to malicious websites. Common techniques used include ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) spoofing and DNS reply spoofing.
• Fake DNS Server Hijacking: This happens when the DNS server itself is compromised. Attackers gain control of a legitimate DNS server through vulnerabilities or insider threats and modify DNS records to redirect legitimate domain requests to malicious IP addresses. This could affect all users who rely on the compromised DNS server for domain name resolution.

How to detect DNS hijacking?

Common symptoms of DNS hijacking include slow-loading web pages, frequent ads on websites that shouldn't be there, and pop-ups informing the user that their machine is infected with malware. Fortunately, in addition to these symptoms, there are several online tools you can use to check for DNS hijacking, including:

• Pinging the network: You can identify DNS hijacking by using a ping utility and pinging the suspected domain. If the results show that the IP address is not available, you will know that the DNS has not been hijacked. On the other hand, if you ping a suspicious domain and an IP address appears, it's highly likely that your DNS has been hijacked.
• Checking your router: Attackers can use malware to gain access to your router's management page. Once inside, they can change the DNS settings so that the router uses a server controlled by the attacker. To check for this type of attack, simply go to your router's admin page and check its DNS settings.
• Check out WhoIsMyDNS: Another great online tool is WhoIsMyDNS, which allows you to find the real server that answers DNS queries on your behalf. If the DNS displayed is unfamiliar to you, you may be a victim of DNS hijacking.

How to protect your network against DNS hijacking

There are several strategies to protect your web server from DNS hijacking.

Check your router's DNS settings

Routers are vulnerable to attacks, and hijackers use this vulnerability to prey on unsuspecting victims. Check your router's DNS settings to make sure they haven't been changed. You can do this on the administration page. Also, update your router's password regularly.

Use a registry lock for your domain account

A registry locking service offered by a domain name registry can protect domains from unwanted changes, transfers and deletions. This can stop hackers from redirecting people to malicious sites after typing in the domain name.

Use anti-malware

DNS thieves can target users' login information using password-detecting malware. Installing antivirus software can help catch any attackers trying to use this type of malware. But to reduce the possibility of data compromise, use secure virtual private networks (VPNs).

Practice good password hygiene

Create complex passwords as part of a password hygiene strategy. Complex passwords made up of random strings of characters or gibberish are unlikely to appear on a list of stolen passwords that a hacker can find on the dark web. Additionally, even if your passwords are strong, update them often. That way, if someone cracks the password you use to access your site's DNS settings, they'll have trouble getting in because the password has since been changed.

The result

DNS hijacking is something that resurfaces every few years after being nearly wiped out. Attackers will always find new ways to capture your data and gain access to your network and devices. What we can do is learn from publicized DNS hijacking incidents and prevent ourselves from falling prey to malicious actors.

Practicing good cyber hygiene is not only important to prevent DNS hijacking or other DNS attacks, but it's also a way to make the Internet safer and our online experience more comfortable. By following the tips here, you can now not only detect if you are a victim of a DNS hijacking attack, but also take the necessary security measures to prevent it.

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