Dns Glossary

Browse 30 dns terms defined in plain English, from the cultural dictionary of computing.

30 Dns Terms

CoreDNS
A flexible DNS server widely used in cloud-native environments, especially as Kubernetes' cluster DNS service.
DANE
DANE is a DNSSEC-backed mechanism that binds TLS certificates or public keys to DNS records for a domain. Security teams use it to enforce trust, reduce...
DGA
Short for domain generation algorithm, a technique malware uses to generate many pseudo-random domain names so operators and infected hosts can rendezvous...
DKIM
DKIM is a mail authentication standard that lets receiving systems verify a signed domain-level message header. Security teams use it to enforce trust, reduce...
DNS Cache Poisoning
DNS Cache Poisoning is an attack technique in which an adversary inserts forged DNS answers into a resolver cache so victims are directed to...
DNS Exfiltration
DNS Exfiltration is an attack technique in which an adversary encodes stolen data into DNS queries or responses to bypass normal egress paths. Defenders...
DNS Firewall
DNS Firewall is a DNS control that blocks or rewrites lookups for malicious, unauthorized, or policy-violating domains. Security teams use it to enforce trust,...
DNS over HTTPS
DNS over HTTPS is a method of transporting DNS queries over HTTPS to improve privacy and resist straightforward interception. Security teams use it to enforce...
DNS over TLS
DNS over TLS is a protocol for sending DNS queries over TLS so intermediaries cannot easily read or modify them. Security teams use it to enforce trust, reduce...
DNS Propagation
The time it takes for DNS changes to spread across all recursive resolvers worldwide. Controlled by the TTL (Time to Live) of the record -- resolvers cache...
DNS Rebinding
DNS Rebinding is an attack technique in which an adversary abuses browser trust in DNS answers to pivot from a public origin to internal services. Defenders...
DNS Record Types
The different types of entries in the Domain Name System: A (IPv4 address), AAAA (IPv6), CNAME (alias to another domain), MX (mail server), TXT (text data --...
DNS resolver
A server that translates human-readable domain names into IP addresses by recursively querying the DNS hierarchy. When you type a URL, your resolver (often...
DNSSEC
Short for Domain Name System Security Extensions, a set of DNS protocol additions that let resolvers verify that DNS data was signed by the correct zone and...
DNS Sinkhole
DNS Sinkhole is a defensive DNS response that redirects malicious domain requests to controlled infrastructure for blocking or observation. Security teams use...
DNS Spoofing
DNS Spoofing is an attack technique in which an adversary returns forged name-resolution answers so traffic is redirected or observed. Defenders analyze it to...
DNS Tunneling
DNS Tunneling is an attack technique in which an adversary encapsulates command traffic or data inside DNS records and lookups. Defenders analyze it to...
DoH
Short for DNS over HTTPS, a protocol that sends DNS queries through encrypted HTTPS connections instead of traditional plaintext DNS. It improves privacy and...
Domain Generation Algorithm
Domain Generation Algorithm is a malware routine that creates many candidate domain names so operators can regain command channels dynamically. Security teams...
Domain Hijacking
Domain Hijacking is the unauthorized takeover of domain registration, DNS management, or delegation control for a domain. Security teams use it to enforce...
DoT
Short for DNS over TLS, a protocol that encrypts DNS traffic inside a dedicated TLS session instead of sending queries in plaintext. Compared with DoH, DoT...
Dynamic DNS Abuse
The malicious use of dynamic DNS services to keep domain names pointed at changing IP addresses, often for phishing, malware command and control, or rapid...
Encrypted DNS
DNS resolution sent over encrypted protocols such as DoH or DoT so intermediaries cannot easily read or tamper with queries in plaintext. It improves privacy...
Mail Exchange Security
The protection of the infrastructure and configuration involved in routing email between domains, including MX records, mail gateways, TLS settings,...
Passive DNS
A historical record of observed DNS resolutions collected from sensors or providers, used to investigate how domains have mapped to IPs over time. Passive DNS...
Public DNS
DNS resolution services offered for broad public use over the internet, such as Google's or Cloudflare's public recursive resolvers. Public DNS can improve...
Recursive DNS
The DNS resolution process or service in which a resolver queries other DNS servers on behalf of a client until it reaches an answer, rather than simply...
Reverse DNS
A DNS lookup that maps an IP address back to a hostname using PTR records instead of resolving a hostname to an IP. Reverse DNS is useful in logging,...
SPF Record
A DNS record that lists which mail servers are authorized to send email for a domain. It shows up in application security, identity, infrastructure, or...
TTL
Time to Live — a counter or timestamp that limits the lifespan of data. In DNS, TTL specifies how long a resolver should cache a record (in seconds). In IP...

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