A DNS server is a computer server that contains a database of public IP addresses and their associated hostnames, and in most cases serves to resolve, or translate, those names to IP addresses as requested. DNS servers run special software and communicate with each other using special protocols.
The Purpose of DNS Servers
It's easier to remember a domain or hostname like tezhost.com than it is to remember the site's IP address numbers 123.456.789.123.
When you access the Life wire website, all you must type is the URL https://www.tezhost.com. Conversely, computers and network devices don't work well with names when trying to locate each other on the internet. It's far more efficient and precise to use an IP address.
Malware Attacks That Change DNS Server Settings
Always run an antivirus program because malware can attack your computer in a way that changes the DNS server settings.
For example, if your computer uses Google's DNS servers (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) and you open your bank's website, you naturally expect that when you enter its familiar URL, you'll be sent to the bank's website.
However, if malware changes your DNS server settings, which can happen without your knowledge after an attack on your system, your system no longer contacts Google's DNS servers but instead a hacker's server that poses as your bank's website. This fake bank site might look exactly like the real one, but rather than logging you into your bank account, it harvests the username and password you just typed, giving the hackers the essential information, they need to get into your bank account.
Malware attacks that hijack your DNS server settings may also redirect traffic away from popular websites to ones that are full of advertisements or to a fake site designed to scare you into believing your computer has been infected with a virus, and that you must buy their advertised software program to remove it.
Protecting Yourself from DNS Attacks
There are two things you should do to avoid becoming a victim of a DNS settings attack. The first is to install antivirus software so that malicious programs are caught before they can do any damage.
The second is to pay close attention to the appearance of important websites you visit regularly. If you visit one and the site looks off in some way—maybe the images are all different or the site's colors have changed, or menus don't look right, or you find misspellings (hackers can be dreadful spellers)—or you get an "invalid certificate" message in your browser, it might be a sign that you're on a faked website.
How DNS Redirection Can Be Positively Used
This ability to redirect traffic can be used for positive purposes. For example, OpenDNS can redirect traffic to adult websites, gambling websites, social media websites, or other sites network administrators or organizations don't want their users visiting. Instead, they may be sent to a page with a "Blocked" message.
Primary and Secondary DNS Servers
In most cases, a primary and a secondary DNS server are configured on your router or computer when you connect to your internet service provider. There are two DNS servers in case one of them happens to fail, in which case the second is used to resolve hostnames you enter.
Why You Might Change Your DNS Server Settings
Some DNS servers can provide faster access times than others. This is often a function of how close you are to those servers. If your ISP's DNS servers are closer to you than Google's, for example, you may find domain names are resolved quicker using the default servers from your ISP than with an external server.
If you experience connection problems where it seems no websites will load, it's possible there's an error with the DNS server. If the DNS server can’t find the correct IP address that's associated with the hostname you enter, the website can't be located and loaded.
DNS Root Servers
There are 13 important DNS root servers on the internet that store a complete database of domain names and their associated public IP addresses. These top-tier DNS servers are named A through M for the first 13 letters of the alphabet. Ten of these servers are in the US, one in London, one in Stockholm, and one in Japan.
