What is the function of DNSSEC?

DNSSEC allows a resolver or name server to verify the authenticity and integrity of DNS response data by establishing a “chain of trust” to the source of the DNS data and validating the digital signatures. The main function of DNSSEC is to protect the user from forged data.

What is DNSSEC in cyber security?

The Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC) is a set of specifications that extend the DNS protocol by adding cryptographic authentication for responses received from authoritative DNS servers. Its goal is to defend against techniques that hackers use to direct computers to rogue websites and servers.

Should DNSSEC be on or off?

If you’re running a website, especially one that handles user data, you’ll want to turn on DNSSEC to prevent any DNS attack vectors. There’s no downside to it, unless your DNS provider only offers it as a “premium” feature, like GoDaddy does.

Which is the standard security algorithm for DNSSEC?

DNSSEC is a complicated topic, and making things even more confusing is the availability of several standard security algorithms for signing DNS records, defined by IANA. Algorithm 13 is a variant of the Elliptic Curve Digital Signing Algorithm (ECDSA).

How are DNS queries and responses signed in DNSSEC?

With DNSSEC, it’s not DNS queries and responses themselves that are cryptographically signed, but rather DNS data itself is signed by the owner of the data. Every DNS zone has a public/private key pair. The zone owner uses the zone’s private key to sign DNS data in the zone and generate digital signatures over that data.

Why is it important to use DNSSEC on the Internet?

In order for the Internet to have widespread security, DNSSEC needs to be widely deployed. DNSSEC is not automatic: right now it needs to be specifically enabled by network operators at their recursive resolvers and also by domain name owners at their zone’s authoritative servers.

What does DS record stand for in DNSSEC?

The DS record stands for Delegation Signer, and it contains a unique string of your public key as well as metadata about the key, such as what algorithm it uses. Each DS record consists of four fields: KeyTag, Algorithm, DigestType and Digest and it looks like the following: