That is why protecting DNS involves more than choosing a good DNS provider. You also need to protect your DNS account, domain registrar, DNS records, and the people who can access them. Even simple mistakes, like keeping old DNS records or giving access to people who don't need it, can create security problems.
In this guide, we'll cover important DNS security best practices that can help protect your domain. We'll also look at common DNS attacks and explain how to secure DNS as part of your overall domain security.
What is DNS Security and Why Does It Matter?
DNS security means protecting your Domain Name System (DNS) from attacks and unauthorized changes. It helps make sure that your domain sends visitors and services to the right place and that no one has secretly changed your DNS records.
This is important because many things depend on your DNS. If an attacker changes your DNS records, they could send visitors to a fake website, redirect your email to the wrong server, or make your website unavailable. DNS attacks can also be used to help with phishing and other types of online attacks.
Some common DNS security risks include:
DNS Spoofing
DNS spoofing happens when an attacker sends a fake DNS response to a user's device. The device may believe this response is real and send the user to the wrong website or server. For example, someone could type your website address but end up on a fake website that looks almost the same. This can be dangerous because users may enter passwords, payment details, or other private information without knowing they are on a fake site.
DNS Cache Poisoning
DNS cache poisoning happens when an attacker puts incorrect DNS information into a DNS cache. A cache stores DNS information so websites can load faster the next time someone visits them. If the cache contains a fake IP address, users may be sent to the wrong server when they visit a domain. This false information can stay in the cache for some time, affecting many users until the incorrect record is removed or replaced.
DNS Hijacking
DNS hijacking happens when an attacker gets control of a domain's DNS settings and changes them without permission. For example, they could change the record that tells the internet where your website is hosted. This could send visitors to a fake website or stop your real website from working. DNS hijacking can also affect email if the attacker changes the DNS records used to deliver messages for your domain.
12 DNS Security Best Practices to Protect Your Domain
Following these DNS best practices can help you protect your domain from common attacks and keep your website, email, and other services safe.
Use a Reliable DNS Provider
Your DNS provider manages the servers that answer requests for your domain, so its security and reliability are important. Choose a provider that offers strong security, high uptime, and protection against attacks such as DDoS attacks. A provider with a large, well-managed DNS network can also help keep your domain available during sudden traffic spikes or attacks. Before choosing a provider, check the security features it offers and whether you can easily monitor and manage your DNS activity.
Enable DNSSEC
DNSSEC adds an extra layer of security to DNS by using digital signatures to check DNS responses. Without DNSSEC, an attacker may try to send a fake DNS response and direct users to the wrong server. DNSSEC allows DNS resolvers to check whether the response came from the correct source and whether someone changed the information. If your DNS provider and domain registrar support DNSSEC, turn it on for your domain and make sure all the required DNSSEC records are set up correctly.
Use Strong Account Security
Your DNS provider account is one of the most important accounts linked to your domain. If an attacker gets access to it, they may be able to change your DNS records, redirect your website, or cause problems with email delivery. Use a long and unique password that you do not use anywhere else. You should also use other security features provided by your DNS provider, such as login alerts, session controls, and security notifications. These steps can help prevent unauthorized people from getting into your account.
Enable Multi-Factor Authentication
A password by itself may not be enough to protect your DNS account. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds another security step, such as a code from an authentication app or a security key. This means that even if an attacker gets your password, they still need another way to prove their identity before they can log in. Turn on MFA for both your DNS provider and domain registrar accounts whenever possible. If you have a choice, use a security key or authentication app instead of relying only on text messages.
Limit Access to DNS Management
Not everyone on your team needs permission to change your DNS records. Giving access to too many people increases the chance of accidental changes or someone misusing the account. Only give DNS management access to people who need it for their job. If your DNS provider supports role-based permissions, use them to control what each person can do. For example, someone who only needs to view DNS records should not also have permission to change or delete them.
Keep DNS Records Accurate and Up to Date
Old DNS records can create security problems, especially when they point to servers or services that you no longer use. For example, an unused subdomain may still point to an old cloud service, which could later be taken over or misused by an attacker. Review your DNS records regularly and remove entries you no longer need. You should also check that your active records point to the correct services. Keeping your DNS records clean makes unexpected changes easier to spot and reduces unnecessary security risks.
Monitor DNS Changes
DNS records can be changed for many reasons, but unexpected changes should never be ignored. Keep an eye on important records, especially those related to your website, email, and other critical services. Some DNS providers offer alerts or activity logs that show who made a change and when it happened. Use these tools to keep track of updates. If you notice a change that no one on your team made, investigate it as soon as possible. Finding an unwanted change early can help limit its impact.
Protect Your Domain Registrar Account
Your domain registrar account is just as important as your DNS provider account. This is where your domain is registered, and someone who gets access to the account may be able to change important domain or DNS settings. Use a strong, unique password and enable MFA if the registrar supports it. Keep the account details and recovery options up to date as well. Also, limit access to the registrar account to trusted people. Securing this account can prevent attackers from gaining control of your domain.
Enable Domain Locking
Domain locking adds another layer of protection against unauthorized domain transfers. When a domain is locked, it is harder for someone to move it from your current registrar to another registrar without your approval. This can be especially useful if an attacker gets access to your account and tries to take control of the domain. Check which locking options your registrar provides and keep them enabled when you are not making a legitimate transfer. Some registrars may also offer extra transfer protection that you can turn on.
Protect Against DNS Hijacking
DNS hijacking can happen when an attacker gains access to your DNS or registrar account and changes where your domain points. They could send website visitors to a fake page or change email-related records to interfere with message delivery. Protecting against this starts with securing the accounts that control your DNS. Use strong passwords, MFA, limited access, and domain locking where available. You should also monitor DNS changes so you can quickly notice and investigate any update that you did not make.
Use DNS Filtering and Threat Intelligence
DNS filtering can help stop users from connecting to websites and domains that are known to be dangerous. For example, a DNS security service may block requests to domains linked to malware, phishing, or other harmful activity. Threat intelligence can also provide information about newly discovered malicious domains and suspicious activity. These tools are useful for businesses because they can add another layer of protection before a user reaches a dangerous website. They can also help security teams find unusual DNS activity that may need further investigation.
Have a DNS Backup and Recovery Plan
DNS problems can happen because of an attack, a mistake, or an accidental deletion. Having a backup of your DNS configuration makes it much easier to recover when something goes wrong. Keep a current copy of important records, including those used for your website, email, and other services. Make sure the backup is stored somewhere secure and is updated whenever major DNS changes are made. You should also know how to restore the records quickly so your services can get back to normal with as little downtime as possible.
Common DNS Security Mistakes to Avoid
Even when you follow the main DNS security best practices, small gaps in day-to-day DNS management can still cause trouble. Some mistakes are easy to overlook because they may not cause a problem immediately. Knowing what to watch for can help you catch these issues before they turn into a bigger security incident.
Using Weak or Shared DNS Account Passwords
A password becomes a bigger risk when it is short, easy to guess, or shared between several people. If one person uses the same password on another website and that account is compromised, attackers may try those credentials on the DNS account too. Shared passwords also make it difficult to know who accessed an account when something goes wrong. Each person should have their own login, while passwords should be stored safely in a trusted password manager.
Giving Too Many People DNS Access
It can be tempting to give DNS access to everyone who works on your website or IT systems. However, most of them may never need to change DNS settings. Too much access also makes mistakes harder to prevent. Someone could accidentally delete a record or change a setting without realizing its impact. Keep the number of users with DNS permissions as small as possible and remove access when someone changes roles or leaves the organization.
Leaving Old DNS Records Active
An old DNS record may look harmless because the service it was created for is no longer being used. The problem is that the record can still point to an external system that your team no longer controls. If that system becomes available to someone else, the unused record may become a security weakness. This is especially important for old subdomains and third-party services. Make sure records are removed when the related service is fully retired.
Ignoring Unexpected DNS Changes
Not every DNS change is an attack. Your hosting provider, developers, or other teams may make legitimate updates as part of normal work. The problem starts when nobody knows why a change happened. An unexpected update should be checked instead of being ignored. Keep a simple record of planned DNS changes, including who requested them and why. This makes it much easier to tell the difference between normal maintenance and a potentially harmful change.
Not Securing the Domain Registrar Account
DNS security can have a weak point outside the DNS provider itself: the domain registrar. Your registrar controls the registration of your domain and may provide access to important domain settings. If that account is poorly protected, an attacker could use it to make changes that affect your domain. Do not treat the registrar account as something you only use when buying or renewing a domain. It needs the same level of attention as other important accounts.
Skipping DNSSEC When It Is Supported
DNSSEC is not available in exactly the same way for every domain or DNS setup, but ignoring it when your setup supports it can mean missing an important security control. DNSSEC helps resolvers check whether DNS information is genuine and has not been changed. It does not protect your DNS account or stop someone from logging into your provider. Instead, it protects the trust between DNS servers and the systems asking for DNS information.
Forgetting to Review DNS Settings Regularly
DNS settings can slowly become difficult to manage as websites, cloud services, email systems, and other tools are added or removed. A record that made sense a year ago may no longer have a purpose today. Without regular reviews, these changes can leave behind unnecessary records, outdated settings, or services nobody remembers using. Set a regular schedule for checking your DNS configuration and confirm that each important record still has a clear purpose.
Keep Your DNS Security Ready for What Comes Next
Your domain infrastructure will not stay the same forever. New websites, cloud services, email platforms, applications, and third-party tools can all add new DNS records or change how your existing setup works. That means a DNS setup that looks fine today may need attention six months from now.
It is also worth thinking beyond the question, “Is my DNS secure right now?” A better question is, “Would I know if something changed tomorrow?” Having visibility into your DNS setup can help you spot changes, investigate unusual activity, and make better decisions as your infrastructure grows. Building that visibility into your regular security process can make DNS management less reactive and much easier to handle over time.
So, check your domain’s DNS records with NSLookup.io to find configuration and security issues.
FAQs
How often should I check my domain's DNS configuration?
There is no single schedule that works for every domain. A small personal domain may need fewer checks than a business domain with many services and frequent changes. What matters most is checking after major infrastructure changes and having regular reviews so outdated or unexpected settings do not go unnoticed.
Can DNS security tools detect every type of DNS attack?
No. DNS security tools can help find suspicious records, configuration problems, and other warning signs, but they cannot protect against every possible attack. They work best as one part of a wider security setup that also includes account protection, access controls, monitoring, and good domain management.
What should I check after changing my DNS records?
After making a DNS change, check that the new record contains the correct value and that the intended service is working. You should also confirm that unrelated website, email, or application services have not been affected. For important changes, checking the result from multiple DNS locations can help identify propagation issues.