1. DNS Hijacking: What Is It And How It Can Affect You?
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DNS hijacking is not a very well-known phenomenon outside the web specialists' circle, but it
could be a dangerous tool when used against you.
DNS hijacking, also known as silent server swaps, is a malicious attack vector that can be
used to forcibly redirect web traffic to websites that are either fake or different from the ones
you've requested.
This type of attack becomes possible when the computer's TCP/IP settings are overridden
through the use of malicious software.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silk_Road_(marketplace) can also gain control of a DNS server
by modifying its settings, either manually or via malware. These are the two main types of
DNS hijacking.
How Does It Work?
In order to understand what DNS hijacking is and the risk it poses to your own online security
and privacy, there are a few processes you need to know about.
The Domain Name System (DNS) was created to make the web more usable by humans.
Every website on the internet lives on a physical location, which is commonly a server. These
servers and everything else that is connected to the internet has an Internet Protocol (IP)
address that corresponds to its location.
Since it is not possible for us humans to memorize the IP addresses of all our favorite
services, DNS was invented. This system streamlines the process by matching the web
addresses we provide with the IP addresses of the server or servers that host the website.
A DNS server has one job: to match domain names with their corresponding numerical
addresses. Once his response matches a domain name to a specific server, it relays back
the information to your device, making it possible to connect with the website you've
requested.
Now that you have a good understanding of the role a DNS server plays, here is how it can
be used against you for malicious gain.
DNS Hijacking: A Major Security Threat
Right now, the reason you're on this website and not on some advertisement-ridden page is
because your computer has the right DNS settings. These have either been provided by

2. Google, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), or your
Internet Service Provider (ISP).
If these settings are compromised in any way, be it via your unprotected router or through the
use of Trojan malware , your computer could be communicating with the wrong DNS server,
one with a different set of addresses and a malicious agenda.
Of course, DNS servers don't turn rogue all by themselves. Malicious actors can hijack” the
server and create alternate IP addresses for the domain names, leaving you and your
computer at the mercy of illegitimate services and fake websites that can compromise your
online privacy.
The Applications of DNS Hijacking
So, how can this affect your online security?
The answer to that question is: in a number of ways. For instance:
DNS Hijacking Can Be Used For Phishing Attacks
Picture this: you've just opened your bank's online webpage and filled in your login
credentials in order to access your online account, but something's not right. For some
reason, no matter how many times you repeat the process, you can't get in.
If the DNS that your computer is using has been hijacked, then you have just given your bank
account's login credentials to a bunch of unknown hackers. As you probably already know,
identity theft is a rampant form of cybercrime that can destroy your entire livelihood even
without your knowledge.
This could be a damaging real-life scenario. Hijacked DNS servers are commonly used to
orchestrate phishing attacks on unsuspecting people. By creating a replica of the webpage
you intended to visit, cybercriminals can trick you into giving them important information that
will ultimately compromise your privacy.
check -scale cyber attack using this exact tactic was orchestrated a few years ago targeting
The New York Times, Twitter, The Huffington Post and other major websites.
That's not the end of it, unfortunately.
A Hijacked DNS Server Can Be Used For Pharming
the process of using illegitimate avenues to generate clicks

3. If you're unfamiliar with pharming, it is the process by which online presences use illegitimate
avenues to generate clicks and ad impressions for monetary gain.
A hijacked DNS server can be used to divert traffic from its intended destination to a page
filled with endless pop-ups and ads. For the unfortunate victim, this can be quite an
annoyance especially since it occurs so unexpectedly. Meanwhile, the people behind the
pharming scheme generate a lot of income from ad impressions and clicks.
Before you wave this off as nothing more than a mild annoyance, remember that you will be
conscripted as an aider and abettor of fraud committed against ad companies. In How to
Shop on the Dark Web , your computer will be exposed to websites with browser-based
exploits, which will then be deployed into your system to wreak havoc.
Governments Use DNS Hijacking to Enforce Web Censorship

4. Unfortunately, cybersecurity threats such as computer viruses and malicious ads are not all
you have to worry about when you're a victim of DNS hijacking. Some countries have been
known to modify” their own DNS servers in order to restrict access to some websites.
This censorship strategy redirects computers to approved” sites every time they try to
connect to a blocked” website. The worst part is that it can be done without your knowledge
or consent.
How to Protect Your Computer from DNS Hijacking
Update your router's firmware and change its password (especially if you're still using the
default password).
Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to access the internet. This hides your DNS requests
from third parties and encrypts all your traffic. It's also a key safeguard to protect your online
privacy and security, overall.
Install antivirus software on your computer. If your DNS settings cannot be altered by Trojan
malware, you'll be safe from attacks of such nature.