DNS security: How it protects your network from threats

Key takeaways:

• DNS plays an important role on the internet, but it can be vulnerable to cyberattacks that criminals can exploit.  
• Fortunately, there are various ways to secure your DNS servers: best practices, security service providers, software, and tools.  
• Securing your DNS helps prevent the spread of malware and phishing attacks.  

The Domain Name System (DNS) translates website names into IP addresses, making it essential for everyday online activity. Attackers often target this layer, as shown by the 2023 HTTP/2 Rapid Reset attack, which caused widespread service disruption by overwhelming internet infrastructure.

Core internet systems, including DNS, remain a frequent target because a single weakness can impact millions of users at once. To prevent these, it’s important for any company or individual to understand and implement DNS security measures as part of a cybersecurity strategy.

In this article, you’ll learn about DNS security, including how it works, why it matters, its benefits, common attacks, and best practices to protect your network.

What is DNS security?  

DNS security refers to the set of protections that safeguard the Domain Name System against abuse, manipulation, and disruption. Its goal is to ensure users connect to legitimate destinations, DNS data stays accurate, and services remain available even under attack. By securing DNS, organizations reduce the risk of threats like redirection, spoofing, phishing, and large-scale outages.

On top of that, DNS security also relies on multiple components that work together to protect DNS queries, responses, and infrastructure.

Key components of DNS security

Here are the following key components in more detail:

• DNS Security Extensions (DNSSEC): DNSSEC protects DNS data integrity by verifying that DNS responses originate from an authorized source and have not been tampered with. It helps prevent attacks that rely on forged or poisoned DNS records.
• DNS filtering: DNS filtering blocks access to known malicious, phishing, or unsafe domains. It prevents users and systems from connecting to harmful destinations before a connection is established.
• DNS firewalls: DNS firewalls inspect DNS queries and enforce security rules at the DNS layer. They help stop suspicious traffic patterns, unauthorized requests, and abuse that traditional firewalls might miss.
• DNS over HTTPs (DoH): DNS over HTTPS encrypts DNS queries by sending them over HTTPS. This prevents attackers from viewing or tampering with DNS requests while they travel across networks.
• DNS over TLS (DoT): DNS over TLS encrypts DNS traffic using the TLS protocol. It protects DNS queries from interception and manipulation, especially on public or untrusted networks.

Why is DNS security important?  

DNS acts as the internet’s core navigation system that directs users to websites and services. Its fundamental role makes it a prime target for attackers.   

Other factors that also make DNS security important include: 

• Inherent design vulnerabilities: DNS was created at a time when cybersecurity was not a consideration. This early design leaves DNS with built-in weaknesses that create entry points attackers actively exploit. Organizations also find it challenging to fully monitor or control DNS traffic within their networks, which exposes a significant security gap. 
• An added layer of defense: DNS security solutions create an extra line of defense for users and your website. They operate by filtering out risky websites and blocking malicious content. 
• Protection of your web assets: Protecting your DNS shields your core web assets from direct exposure to online dangers and cyberattacks. This security enables you to maintain precise control over how your online properties function and which external sites can interact with them. 
• Protects business operations: DNS security reduces downtime caused by attacks, misconfigurations, or outages. Stable DNS availability supports continuous access to websites, applications, and internal systems.
• Frontline defense: DNS often serves as the first line of defense for incoming and outgoing traffic. Securing it helps stop threats early, before they reach endpoints or penetrate deeper into the network.
• Secures online interactions: DNS security helps ensure users connect to legitimate destinations, protecting data exchanges from interception, redirection, or tampering.
• Protection against large-scale attacks: DNS security helps detect and mitigate high-volume attacks, including distributed denial-of-service attempts, that aim to overwhelm infrastructure and disrupt services.

How does DNS security work? 

DNS security works by placing protective controls at the DNS lookup stage, where domain names are translated into IP addresses. Instead of returning results blindly, DNS security adds a checkpoint to the lookup process to verify and filter requests before a connection is made.

It verifies that a website’s address is legitimate and has not been altered by attackers, blocks connections to known harmful domains using updated threat intelligence, and monitors DNS requests for unusual or suspicious activity that signals abuse or attacks.

For example, if a user types a bank’s website address, DNS security checks whether the IP address returned is the correct one and not a fake created by attackers. If the address has been altered, the request gets blocked instead of sending the user to a phishing site.

What are the benefits of DNS security?  

DNS security reduces risk, protects users, and improves how your network operates. Below is a clear overview of the core benefits, structured for quick scanning:

• Protection against cyber threats
• Enhanced network performance
• Data integrity and confidentiality
• Typo correction
• Faster lookup

Protection against cyber threats  

Solid DNS security safeguards your website against various threats, such as: 

• Phishing: Strong DNS security prevents domain spoofing and ensures users connect to legitimate websites, which prevents phishing attempts that can steal credentials. 
• Malware and ransomware: DNS security blocks access to known malicious domains associated with malware distribution and command-and-control servers, which stops infections before they occur. 
• Botnet protection: Botnets rely on constant communication with control servers to stay active. DNS filtering cuts off that channel by blocking known botnet domains, which weakens coordinated attacks like DDoS floods and large-scale spam.
• Data exfiltration: Attackers often sneak stolen data out through unusual DNS requests. DNS monitoring flags these abnormal outbound queries early, giving you a chance to stop quiet data leaks before damage spreads.
• Spoofing: Spoofing works by tricking users into trusting fake DNS responses. DNSSEC stops this by validating responses with cryptographic signatures, so traffic reaches the real destination instead of an attacker-controlled site.
• Malware hosting: Many attacks depend on domains that host malicious files. DNS security blocks access to these domains, which lowers risk even when users click unsafe links or open compromised content.

Enhanced network performance  

A well-protected DNS improves your website’s performance and leads to: 

• Reduced downtime: Preventing DNS-based attacks that disrupt name resolution ensures continuous service availability and minimizes costly downtime. 
• Optimized resolution speeds: Secure DNS resolvers often use advanced caching and routing techniques, which leads to faster domain name resolution and quicker access to online resources. This directly improves the user experience. 
• Load balancing and redundancy: Many secure DNS solutions incorporate load balancing across multiple servers and redundant infrastructure, which ensures high availability and optimal performance even under heavy traffic or localized failures. 
• Increases visibility: DNS logs provide early insight into unusual traffic patterns, compromised devices, and attempted connections to malicious domains.
• Supports compliance: DNS security supports security controls tied to data protection and access monitoring requirements found in common regulatory frameworks.

Data integrity and confidentiality  

DNS security protects the accuracy and privacy of your DNS traffic. DNSSEC verifies DNS records during transmission so attackers cannot alter responses in transit. Encrypted DNS protocols prevent outsiders from reading or modifying DNS queries, which keeps browsing activity private. As a result, users reach the correct destination without interference from third parties or traffic redirection.

Typo correction  

DNS security tools centralize DNS management, which reduces human error during record updates. Automated validation checks DNS entries before deployment, helping you avoid broken records that lead to outages, failed connections, or traffic sent to the wrong destination.

Faster lookup

A secure DNS server often speeds up lookups because it runs on optimized infrastructure built for high-volume queries. It uses smart caching to store frequent results closer to your users, so repeat requests resolve faster. It also relies on globally distributed networks and efficient routing to reduce latency. When DNS security blocks malicious domains at the DNS layer, your network avoids wasted connections and timeouts caused by unsafe destinations, which helps pages load more consistently.

What are the types of DNS attacks? 

While DNS security can help protects your network, it’s also important to understand the different ways attackers exploit DNS. Here are the common DNS attack types and how they affect users.

• DNS poisoning: It’s an attack where criminals slip fake DNS records into a resolver’s cache. Users type a real domain but land on a phishing or malware site, such as a bank lookalike page that steals logins.
• DDoS attack: In DDos attacks, large volumes of traffic overwhelm DNS servers until they stop responding. Users see slow loading, errors, or full outages when websites and apps cannot resolve.
• DNS tunneling: This method uses DNS queries as a hidden channel to move data. Attackers can extract sensitive information from a network or send malware commands while the traffic blends in with normal DNS activity.
• DNS hijacking: In this scenario, attackers modify the DNS settings on a device, router, or DNS server to redirect traffic. Users get pushed to fake destinations even when they enter the correct URL.
• DNS amplification: It’s a DDoS technique that turns small spoofed DNS requests into much larger responses. The victim gets flooded with traffic they never requested, causing slowdowns or downtime.
• NXDomain attack: This attack spams DNS servers with lookups for domains that do not exist. The resolver wastes resources processing failed requests, which slows down DNS for legitimate users.
• Phantom domain attack: Instead of using non-existent domains, attackers use domains that respond slowly or not at all. Resolvers get tied up waiting, so real users experience delays and timeouts.
• Subdomain takeover: This happens when an unused subdomain still points to a removed third-party service. Attackers claim the service and host malicious content on a trusted-looking subdomain, which increases the chance users click.
• Fast flux attack: In this technique, the domain’s IP address changes constantly to hide malicious infrastructure. It helps phishing and malware sites stay online longer and avoid being taken down.
• DNS rebinding: This attack tricks a browser into treating an internal network target as if it were allowed. A user can visit a malicious page and unknowingly give it a path to probe local devices or services.
• Domain shadowing: Attackers compromise a real domain and quietly create many subdomains for malicious campaigns. Users trust the parent domain, so the links look legitimate and are easier to abuse.

For a deeper walkthrough, see our guide on DNS attacks and how to mitigate them.

What are the best DNS security practices?  

Strong DNS security depends on consistent, practical controls rather than one-time fixes. Here are some practices you can apply to protect DNS at its most exposed points, reduce attack impact, and improve visibility so issues surface early.

• Use Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC): Enable DNSSEC at your domain registrar and validate it on your DNS resolvers. This ensures DNS responses are authentic and unchanged, which prevents attackers from injecting fake records and redirecting users through DNS poisoning.
• Enable a DNS firewall: Turn on a DNS firewall to block known malicious and high-risk domains before connections occur. This stops phishing, malware downloads, and command-and-control traffic at the DNS layer, reducing exposure even when users click unsafe links.
• Monitor DNS activity: Actively monitor DNS queries and response patterns across your network. This helps surface early signs of attacks such as tunneling, botnet communication, or misconfigured systems before damage spreads.
• Filter malicious domains: Apply domain filtering based on reputation, category, and age. Blocking newly registered or low-trust domains reduces the chance of users reaching phishing pages or malware hosts commonly used in attacks.
• Update software and systems regularly: Keep DNS servers, resolvers, routers, and related software fully patched. Regular updates close known vulnerabilities that attackers exploit to compromise DNS infrastructure.
• Configure servers in a separate environment: Isolate DNS servers in a dedicated network segment with limited access paths. Segmentation restricts attacker movement if DNS is compromised and protects core systems from cascading failures.
• Enable DNS logging: Turn on detailed DNS logging and retain logs for analysis. Logs help investigate incidents, track suspicious behavior, and support faster response when security issues arise.
• Provide team training: Train staff on secure DNS management, access controls, and common attack indicators. Clear procedures reduce misconfigurations and speed up detection when something goes wrong.
• Implement rate limiting. Apply rate limiting on DNS servers or upstream providers to control query volume. This reduces the impact of DDoS and amplification attacks by preventing servers from being overwhelmed by traffic spikes.
• Backup DNS configurations. Back up DNS records and settings after every change and store copies in a secure, off-network location. Reliable backups allow quick recovery after accidental deletion, corruption, or a security breach. Test restores regularly to confirm backups work.
• Lock DNS cache. Configure resolvers to restrict cache updates to validated responses only. Cache locking reduces the risk of DNS poisoning by preventing unauthorized or spoofed records from entering the cache.
• Limit and restrict access to primary DNS servers. Restrict access to primary DNS servers to authorized users and IP addresses only. Keeping primary servers hidden from public exposure reduces the attack surface and limits opportunities for direct compromise.

Who provides DNS security?  

DNS security relies on a shared responsibility model. Global governing bodies set standards and maintain trust in the DNS system, while cybersecurity vendors and DNS providers deliver the tools and services that protect networks from real-world threats.

Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)  

One of the key players in maintaining global DNS security is ICANN, an organization that oversees the global DNS infrastructure and enforces policies and protocols, like DNSSEC, to ensure the internet’s stability and security. 

ICANN plays a foundational role in DNS security by: 

• Overseeing DNS root zone management to keep the global DNS infrastructure stable and secure
• Developing and promoting DNSSEC to protect against specific DNS attacks, such as cache poisoning and spoofing
• Coordinating with global partners and stakeholders to set DNS security policies and maintain trust in the internet’s naming system
• Operating the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA), which manages key internet protocol resources and root zone updates

While ICANN does not offer direct DNS security services, such as filtering or firewalls, it provides the governance and technical standards that enable DNS security providers to operate within a trusted, globally coordinated framework. 

Cybersecurity companies

Cybersecurity companies protect DNS traffic and DNS servers from active threats. These vendors develop security solutions that detect, block, and respond to DNS-based attacks in real-time.

Most cybersecurity platforms offer features such as DNS filtering, DNS firewalls, threat intelligence, and monitoring that help stop malicious domains, DNS tunneling, DNS hijacking, and DDoS attacks at the DNS layer.

Examples include:

• Palo Alto Networks, which integrates DNS security into broader network protection and incident response platforms
• Infoblox, known for advanced DNS management, visibility, and protection against sophisticated threats
• Titan Secure, which focuses on DNS-based threat detection and blocking for enterprise environments

These providers help security teams monitor DNS requests, analyze DNS traffic, and mitigate threats before they impact users or services.

Third-party DNS providers  

Third-party DNS providers offer managed DNS services that combine performance with built-in security controls. Many of these providers operate globally distributed, redundant DNS servers to improve availability while protecting against DNS amplification attacks and outages.

Common offerings include encrypted DNS communications, malicious domain blocking, logging, and protection against large-scale DNS attacks. Organizations often choose third-party DNS services to reduce operational overhead while improving reliability and security.

What to look for in DNS security  

When evaluating DNS security options, focus on capabilities that protect both users and infrastructure, such as:

• Encrypted DNS traffic using DoH or DoT to protect DNS requests and responses
• DNSSEC support to preserve DNS data integrity
• DNS filtering and threat intelligence to block malicious websites and domains
• Strong logging, monitoring, and alerting to support incident response
• Redundancy and access controls to reduce downtime and prevent DNS hijacking

Together, these features help organizations strengthen network security, mitigate evolving threats, and protect users from attacks that target the DNS system.

Frequently asked questions 

Make DNS security part of your online strategy  

DNS attacks can disrupt operations, steal data, and hurt your reputation. But with the right mix of DNS security tools, practices, and configurations, you can build strong DNS defenses. From using DNSSEC to filtering malicious IPs and training your team, every step counts toward safer digital operations. 

If you want to enhance your website’s security further, we provide website security services that add a layer of protection against cyber threats. Secure your website with us today!