DNS: The Connective Tissue Of The Internet

Canadian businesses are typically fairly knowledgeable and savvy when it comes to technology. By necessity, however, most businesspeople do not have intimate knowledge of the behind-the-scenes processes that make the internet work. Hopefully, more Canadian businesspeople will learn about the salutary advantages of using a DNS firewall. To fully explain what you should know about the DNS firewall, it is helpful to start with a quick primer on DNS. Also called the domain name system, DNS is essentially the connective tissue of the internet. A kind of virtual address book, DNS is the fundamental technology that allows your browser to find your favorite websites. To a layperson, using the web is as simple as typing in something like “MyFavoriteWebsite.Com.” On a basic level, however, internet IP addresses look like this: 4.382.43.99. DNS is the system that converts the alphanumeric URL you type into the numeric IP address that truly identifies a remote server in the network.

A New Type Of Firewall That Works

A DNS firewall is a tool that harnesses the power of DNS routing for your benefit. Normally, you would rely on your internet provider to handle all DNS routing. In most respects, ISPs are authoritative institutions that you can trust. However, most ISPs still treat all DNS requests equally and without discrimination. This means that your ISP will not interfere if you accidentally direct your browser to a known malicious site. Neither will the ISP normally take action to stop incoming DNS traffic from suspicious hosts. Hopefully, ISPs will learn how to better balance impartial traffic management with the security needs of clients. You may be able to learn more at the www.bluecatnetworks.com website.

Using a DNS firewall, you can proactively introduce selectivity into the way your system interacts with remote servers. Available as a hardware device or a software solution, the DNS firewall automatically blocks all incoming DNS requests from known bad actors. Just as importantly, the DNS firewall (DNSF) provides you with the tools you need to identify and block intrusions from malicious sites that were previously unidentified.

DNS-Based Hacking: A Growing Threat

Securing a DNSF could represent one of the most important investments you’ll ever make for your business. Because security researchers have closed many of the loopholes that previously abetted hackers, DNS-based attacks are increasingly important components of the hacking toolbox. DNS signalling is one off the most alarming ploys in DNS-based hacking. Put simply, DNS signalling is a kind of false messaging that can allow malicious parties to literally take control of your DNS requests. Hackers can use DNS signalling to direct you to malicious, counterfeit web servers. With a DNSF, you can protect yourself from this and many other related hacker tactics.