DNS hijacking, also known as DNS redirection or DNS spoofing, is a type of cyber attack where the attacker modifies the DNS settings on a user's computer or network, redirecting them to a malicious website instead of the intended one. This can be done by compromising the DNS server, altering the hosts file on the user's device, or through malware that modifies DNS settings.
Explanation:
DNS (Domain Name System) is responsible for translating human-readable domain names (like www.example.com) into IP addresses that computers use to identify each other on the internet. When a user types a URL into their browser, the DNS system looks up the corresponding IP address and directs the user to that server.
In DNS hijacking, this process is manipulated so that the user is directed to a different, often malicious, server instead. For example, a user trying to access their bank's website might be redirected to a fake site designed to steal their login credentials.
Example:
Imagine you enter "www.mybank.com" into your browser, but instead of being directed to your bank's real website, you're sent to a fake site that looks identical. This fake site might then prompt you to enter your username and password, which the attackers can capture and use to access your bank account.
Recommendation for Cloud Services:
To protect against DNS hijacking, organizations can use managed DNS services that offer advanced security features. For instance, Tencent Cloud's DNSPod provides DNS hosting services with security enhancements like DNSSEC (DNS Security Extensions) to prevent DNS hijacking and other types of DNS-related attacks.