DNS Hijacking: Detection and Protection
Detect and prevent DNS hijacks that redirect your traffic to malicious servers.
DNS hijacking is an attack where a malicious actor modifies your DNS records to redirect your traffic to servers they control. This can be done by compromising your registrar account, your DNS servers, or via a man-in-the-middle attack. Consequences are severe: credential theft, data interception, site defacement. Early detection is crucial because users see a site that appears legitimate but is actually a malicious copy.
Signs of DNS Hijacking
- Your site points to a different IP than expected
- Users report SSL warnings (invalid certificate)
- DNS changes in your panel that you didn't make
- Abnormal traffic or sudden absence of legitimate traffic
Attack Vectors
- Registrar compromise: Attacker gains access to your registrar account (phishing, weak password) and modifies NS or records.
- DNS provider attack: The DNS provider itself is compromised, allowing modification of multiple zones.
- BGP hijacking: Attacker announces false BGP routes to intercept traffic to DNS servers.
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Verification and Response
- Compare current IP with expected: dig +short example.com from multiple locations.
- Check your registrar access logs for suspicious connections.
- Review DNS history with SecurityTrails or DNSHistory to see changes.
- If hijacking confirmed: change all passwords and contact your registrar immediately.
Continuous Detection with MoniTao
MoniTao monitors your DNS 24/7 to detect hijacking:
- Instant alert if your DNS records change value
- Detection of unplanned NS changes
- Consistency verification from multiple global locations
Protection Against Hijacking
- Enable 2FA on your registrar and DNS provider accounts
- Enable registry lock to prevent unauthorized modifications
- Deploy DNSSEC to cryptographically authenticate your records
- Monitor your critical records with MoniTao
FAQ - DNS Hijacking
How do I know if my DNS was hijacked?
Verify the IP returned by dig matches expected. MoniTao alerts you automatically on changes.
How long to fix a hijacking?
Once fixed DNS-side, count TTL time for propagation. With low TTL, a few minutes. High TTL = several hours.
Does DNSSEC protect against hijacking?
Partially. DNSSEC prevents in-transit falsification but not source modification if your registrar account is compromised.
What if my registrar refuses to act?
Contact the TLD registry (.com = Verisign, .uk = Nominet). They can intervene in confirmed hijacking cases.
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