DNS: Internet's address book
DNS (Domain Name System) translates the domain names we type — such as bcit.fr — into IP addresses that machines can understand. Invisible in everyday use, it remains a critical part of a company's exposure surface.
Definition
DNS works like a distributed directory: when a browser tries to reach a website, it queries a chain of DNS servers until it obtains the IP address corresponding to the requested domain name. This mechanism, designed in the 1980s, remains at the heart of how the Internet works.
Its intermediary position makes it a target: DNS spoofing (response spoofing), DNS cache poisoning or zone hijacking can redirect users to fraudulent websites without their knowledge. Extensions such as DNSSEC aim to authenticate DNS responses to limit these risks.
Key points
A critical and often outsourced service
DNS management is frequently delegated to a hosting provider or registrar, which moves part of the risk outside the company's visible perimeter.
A target for fraudulent redirection
A compromised DNS can redirect legitimate visitors to phishing pages without any visual element alerting the user.
Available protections
DNSSEC, registrar lock and record monitoring significantly reduce the risk of hijacking.
How BCIT can support you
Our security audits include a review of the DNS configuration and its exposure, in line with the broader analysis of your attack surface.
Frequently asked questions ❓
Is DNS really a security issue?
Yes: poorly protected DNS can be hijacked to redirect your visitors to a fraudulent website, without any visual sign alerting the user.
How can you secure your DNS configuration?
By enabling DNSSEC, locking access to the registrar account and regularly monitoring records to detect any unauthorized change.
Not ready to talk yet? Discover our cybersecurity assessment →
Your DNS configuration deserves a review
Let's talk about the exposure of your domain names and the protections to put in place.
DNS: Internet's address book
DNS (Domain Name System) translates the domain names we type — such as bcit.fr — into IP addresses that machines can understand. Invisible in everyday use, it remains a critical part of a company's exposure surface.
Definition
DNS works like a distributed directory: when a browser tries to reach a website, it queries a chain of DNS servers until it obtains the IP address corresponding to the requested domain name. This mechanism, designed in the 1980s, remains at the heart of how the Internet works.
Its intermediary position makes it a target: DNS spoofing (response spoofing), DNS cache poisoning or zone hijacking can redirect users to fraudulent websites without their knowledge. Extensions such as DNSSEC aim to authenticate DNS responses to limit these risks.
Key points
A critical and often outsourced service
DNS management is frequently delegated to a hosting provider or registrar, which moves part of the risk outside the company's visible perimeter.
A target for fraudulent redirection
A compromised DNS can redirect legitimate visitors to phishing pages without any visual element alerting the user.
Available protections
DNSSEC, registrar lock and record monitoring significantly reduce the risk of hijacking.
How BCIT can support you
Our security audits include a review of the DNS configuration and its exposure, in line with the broader analysis of your attack surface.
Frequently asked questions ❓
Is DNS really a security issue?
Yes: poorly protected DNS can be hijacked to redirect your visitors to a fraudulent website, without any visual sign alerting the user.
How can you secure your DNS configuration?
By enabling DNSSEC, locking access to the registrar account and regularly monitoring records to detect any unauthorized change.
Not ready to talk yet? Discover our cybersecurity assessment →
Your DNS configuration deserves a review
Let's talk about the exposure of your domain names and the protections to put in place.