DNS spoofing facts for kids

DNS spoofing, also known as DNS cache poisoning, is a trick used by cyber attackers. Imagine your computer asks for directions to a website, like "example.com". Normally, a special system called the Domain Name System (DNS) gives your computer the correct address. With DNS spoofing, an attacker secretly changes these directions. They make your computer think it's going to the right website, but instead, it sends you to a different, fake website they control. This is like someone changing the signs on a road to send you to the wrong place!

How the Internet Finds Websites

The Internet uses a special system called the Domain Name System (DNS). Think of it like a phone book for the internet. When you type a website name, like "google.com", your computer needs to find its exact location. This location is a special number called an IP address.

A DNS server helps translate the easy-to-remember website name into this number. If a DNS server doesn't know the address, it asks other DNS servers until it finds the right one. To make things faster, these servers remember (or cache) the addresses they've found. This way, if you visit the same website again soon, the server already knows the address.

But what if a DNS server gets tricked into remembering a wrong address? This is called poisoning the cache. If a DNS server is poisoned, it will give out the wrong IP address. This sends your computer to a different website than you intended, often one controlled by an attacker.

How DNS Poisoning Attacks Work

Most computers use DNS servers provided by their internet company (ISP) or school. These servers remember website addresses to help you browse faster. A DNS poisoning attack happens when an attacker tricks one of these DNS servers. They make the server save a fake address for a real website.

Imagine a bad actor wants to send you to a fake online store. They would trick a DNS server into thinking their fake store's address is the real one. So, when you type in the real store's name, the poisoned DNS server sends you to the fake one instead.

What Can Happen?

When you land on a fake website because of DNS poisoning, a few things can happen:

• Malware Downloads: The fake site might secretly download harmful software onto your computer. This software, called Malware, could be a computer virus or a computer worm. It can damage your computer or steal your information.
• Phishing Scams: Attackers might create a fake version of a website you trust, like a social media site or an online game. They do this to trick you into giving them your personal details, like passwords. This trick is called phishing.
• Website Hijacking: In some cases, attackers can take over a website. This means they control what you see and do on that site.

These attacks can happen because of weaknesses in the DNS software. Attackers might also use social engineering tricks. This means they try to trick people into doing something that helps the attack.

How to Stay Safe from DNS Spoofing

There are several ways to protect against DNS spoofing attacks:

Stronger DNS Servers

DNS servers can be made smarter. They can be programmed to be more careful about the information they accept. Newer versions of DNS software, like BIND, have better checks. They make sure that the addresses they receive are truly from the right source. This helps prevent them from saving fake information.

Secure DNS (DNSSEC)

A very important protection is called DNSSEC. This system uses special digital "stamps" or signatures. These signatures prove that the information from a DNS server is real and hasn't been tampered with. It's like a trusted seal on an important document. DNSSEC helps make sure you get to the real website. Many parts of the internet now use DNSSEC, but it needs to be used everywhere for full protection.

Secure Connections (HTTPS)

When you visit a website, look for "https://" at the start of its address. The "s" stands for "secure". This means your connection to the website is encrypted. It's like having a secret code for your messages. When you use HTTPS, your browser checks the website's digital certificate. This certificate confirms that the website is truly who it says it is. If the certificate is fake or missing, your browser will warn you. This is a great way to protect yourself from fake websites.

Software Updates

Always keep your computer's operating system and all your apps updated. Updates often include fixes for security weaknesses. These fixes can help protect you from new types of attacks.

Learn More

• DNS hijacking: Another way attackers can control where you go online.
• Pharming: A type of cyber attack that redirects users to fake websites.
• Root name server: The top-level servers that help the internet find websites.