What is a DNS security test?
A DNS security test refers to the process used to check for vulnerabilities of a Domain Name System (DNS) nameserver. The test is done to ensure that a DNS servers’ security measures and supporting Domain Name System Security (DNSSEC) extensions are working correctly.
DNS security tests are routine tasks within a DNS security strategy. They are most often performed by the owner of the domain.
Why is a DNS security test important?
DNS security tests are important in order to ensure a DNS server has the right security measures in place to prevent, stop, or mitigate attacks from hackers. DNS servers are vulnerable to cyber attacks – they are a prime access point for threat actors to gain entry into a website, server, online network, application, or other online entity.
DNS security tests are often necessary for businesses to remain compliant with certain regulations, qualify for cyber insurance, meet client or vendor requirements, or to maintain their organization’s reputation.
What type of DNS tests are there?
There are several types of DNS checks that fall under the full umbrella of security DNS test options. Each one tests for different types of DNS vulnerabilities.
DNS lookup test: This test will find out if a DNS server is able to resolve domain names into IP addresses correctly.
DNSSEC test: A DNSSES test checks to see if those are implemented and functioning properly. DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extensions) are extensions that add extra security to the DNS protocol.
DNS amplification rest: This DNS vulnerability test checks for weaknesses in a DNS server that could be exploited in a DNS amplification attack.
DNS cache poisoning test: This test sees if a DNS is susceptible to a DNS cache poisoning attack. In a cache poisoning attack, false information is inserted into the DNS cache, causing users to be directed to the wrong websites.
DNS DDoS vulnerability test: This test checks for vulnerabilities that could be exploited in a DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attack, where the DNS server is overwhelmed with traffic, causing it to become slow or unresponsive.
How do I test my DNS server?
Performing a DNS server security check requires numerous steps and should be performed by people with the right skills and experience. Below is a general description of how to run a DNS security test.
- Check if your DNS server is active. You can do this using a simple command on your computer called ‘ping’. This step is to see if your DNS server is active and responsive.
- Check if your website’s address is correctly linked to your server. This is like checking if your home address correctly points to your house. You see if our IP address is connected to your DNS server using a command called ‘nslookup’.
- Check the path your connection takes to reach your website. This is like tracing the route a letter takes to get from the post office to your house. To test if there is a connection between your server and website, use a command called ‘traceroute’.
- Check the performance of your DNS server. This is like checking how fast your server can respond to requests. If you don’t have a managed DNS provider to rely on, there are online tools available that can help you with this.
- Check your website’s DNS records. This is like checking the public records for your house. You can use online tools to do this.
Each of these DNS vulnerability checkers help ensure that your DNS server is working correctly and efficiently. If you’re not comfortable doing these tests yourself, or don’t know how to interpret the results, there are IT service providers who can do them for you. At Vercara, we can check the health of your domain with our free UltraDNS Health Check service. Click here to get started.
