What does a "DNS attack" target?

A DNS attack specifically targets the Domain Name System, which is essential for resolving domain names into IP addresses. This system is critical for internet functionality, as it allows users to access websites using human-readable names instead of numerical IP addresses. By targeting the DNS, an attacker can redirect traffic, leading users to malicious sites instead of legitimate ones, or disrupt services entirely, rendering websites and applications inaccessible.

This form of attack can take various shapes, such as DNS cache poisoning, where falsified DNS data is inserted into the cache of a resolver, or DDoS attacks aimed at overwhelming DNS servers, thus causing legitimate DNS queries to fail. Therefore, understanding that a DNS attack’s primary focus is on manipulating or disrupting how domain names are handled is key to grasping the broader implications of network security vulnerabilities.