Have you heard of Domain Name Server (DNS) hijacking? It’s become an increasingly common cyber threat. Hackers use it for a variety of purposes. Among other things, DNS hijacking can be used to capture login information, steal data, deploy malware and phishing. It’s a web-based cyber threat that involves alternating the communications between a website and its users. To learn more about DNS hijacking and how to prevent it, keep reading.
Overview of DNS Hijacking
DNS hijacking is a cyber threat in which a hacker redirects a website’s users to a different, malicious site. DNS queries, of course, are how websites communicate with their users. When you enter a website address in your web browser, you’ll send a DNS request to that site, thus allowing your web browser to load. DNS hijacking involves a redirection. Rather than loading the correct website, your web browser will load a different, malicious site.
The Different Forms of DNS Hijacking
There are different forms of DNS hijacking. Local DNS hijacking, for instance, involves changes to your local DNS settings. It’s usually performed using malware. If a hacker deploys malware on your computer, he or she may be able to change your local DNS settings, resulting in DNS hijacking.
In addition to local DNS hijacking, there’s router DNS hijacking. As the name suggests, router DNS hijacking involves changes to your router’s DNS settings. Routers have DNS settings. Normally, these settings are password-protected. If a hacker obtains the password to your router, though, he or she may be able to change its DNS settings. Router DNS hijacking isn’t as common as local DNS hijacking, but it’s still a concern for many businesses and individuals who use a router as part of their Wi-Fi.
How to Protect Against DNS Hijacking
You can protect against DNS hijacking by using antivirus software. Antivirus software will ensure that your computer is protected from viruses and other types of malware, some of which could be used to perform local DNS hijacking. It will constantly scan your computer’s files, as well as traffic, for malware. If it discovers any malware, the antivirus software will block it.
To protect against router DNS hijacking, try to get into the habit of regularly changing the password to your router. The longer you use a given password, the greater the risk of it being compromised. Changing your router’s password at least once every few months will protect you from DNS DNS hijacking.
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