The Domain Name System (DNS) is the foundation of every internet request, but it was never built with security in mind. That makes it a prime target for spoofing, malware, and hijacking.
In this guide, we’ll break down what DNS security is, why it matters, the threats it prevents, and how Control D helps you lock it down at scale.
Summary
✅ DNS is used in every web request, but was never designed for security
✅ Threats like spoofing, tunneling, and hijacking exploit DNS blind spots
✅ DNS filtering, DNSSEC, and encrypted protocols (DoH/DoT) protect your network
✅ Control D offers full-stack DNS protection: filtering, logging, AI detection, and analytics
What Is DNS Security?
DNS security refers to the tools, practices, and protections put in place to secure DNS traffic and prevent abuse. It ensures that DNS queries aren’t hijacked or spoofed, don’t go to malicious domains, are encrypted and private, and follow your organization’s policies.
In simple terms, DNS security makes sure your internet requests go where they should – safely and securely.
Why Is DNS Security Important?
When DNS is compromised, you can be redirected to phishing sites, malware servers, or fake portals without knowing it. DNS can also be used to exfiltrate data, coordinate botnets, or tunnel traffic out of secure environments.
This is because DNS lookups happen every time you visit a website, use an app, check your email, or even load content inside a cloud platform. It’s the first step in almost every online interaction, and it happens before any data is exchanged, making it the perfect place to block threats, control access, and monitor traffic.
But most businesses overlook it, exposing themselves to a wide range of attacks.
Common DNS Threats You Should Know
The original DNS protocol, developed in the 1980s, was designed for speed and simplicity, not security. As a result, it:
- Lacks encryption by default
- Doesn't verify the authenticity of DNS responses
- Can be easily spoofed, hijacked, or manipulated
On top of that, DNS is:
- Ubiquitous – Every internet-connected device uses it
- Unmonitored – Many organizations don’t track DNS traffic
- Unregulated – Anyone can spin up a DNS server or register a domain
Attackers know this and take advantage of it in clever ways:
1. DNS Spoofing (Cache Poisoning)
Also known as DNS cache poisoning, DNS spoofing is when attackers insert false DNS records into a resolver’s cache, causing users to be redirected to malicious or fake websites instead of legitimate ones.
Attackers aim to steal sensitive data from the user or distribute malware.
2. DNS Tunneling
DNS tunneling hides malicious traffic inside DNS queries, allowing attackers to exfiltrate data or control devices without triggering firewalls. Since these DNS queries will go unchallenged by your computer firewall, this request will be resolved, creating a “tunnel” between the attacker and the victim.
3. DNS Hijacking
Attackers compromise DNS settings on a device or router, redirecting traffic to fake websites or phishing portals. The aim is to steal confidential information or distribute malware.
4. DNS Amplification
DNS amplification is a DNS-based Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack where the attacker sends DNS queries with a spoofed source IP (the victim’s IP) to an open DNS resolver.
The DNS server replies with large responses to the victim, which results in a massive flood of traffic to the victim’s network.
5. DNS Flood
This works similarly to a DNS amplification attack, except the attacker floods DNS servers with traffic (not a victim’s IP), causing service degradation or downtime.
How DNS Security Enhances Threat Prevention
With the right controls in place, DNS becomes one of the most powerful tools for early threat detection and prevention.
🛡️ Stops Threats Pre-Connection
DNS filtering blocks access to malicious domains before a connection is established, preventing downloads, phishing, or redirection.
🔍 Improves Visibility
DNS logs provide insight into device or network behavior, patterns, and anomalies, often before endpoint tools detect them.
🔐 Supports Zero Trust Architecture
By enforcing DNS rules at the resolver level, you ensure that only known, sanctioned domains are reachable.
📉 Reduces Attack Surface
DNS filtering prevents access to risky services (e.g., file sharing, adult content, pirated software) that could introduce malware or legal risk.
DNS Security: 4 Core Components You Need
Securing DNS isn’t about one tool. It’s about a combination of technologies and strategies that work together to block threats, protect users, and maintain visibility.
✅ 1. DNS Filtering
Blocks or allows DNS queries based on threat intelligence, domain reputation, or content categories. This happens at the DNS level, before connections are made.
Benefits:
- Stops malware, phishing, and scam domains
- Reduces employee distraction
- Enforces acceptable use policies
✅ 2. DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extensions)
DNSSEC adds digital signatures to DNS records to ensure they're authentic and haven’t been tampered with. It protects against spoofing and cache poisoning.
Benefits:
- Ensures DNS data integrity
- Protects against spoofing and cache poisoning
✅ 3. Encrypted DNS (DoH / DoT)
Encrypt DNS queries so that no one, like your ISP or a hacker on public Wi-Fi, can see or modify them.
- DoH – DNS over HTTPS
- DoT – DNS over TLS
Benefits:
- Prevents DNS hijacking and surveillance
- Hides DNS queries from ISPs and network snoopers
✅ 4. Real-Time DNS Analytics
Logs and visualizes DNS activity, helping teams:
- Detect suspicious behavior
- Enforce policies
- Spot anomalies and potential threats
- Meet compliance standards
The Risks of Unsecured DNS Traffic
Not securing DNS is like leaving your front door open. You may not notice it at first, but it’s only a matter of time before someone walks in.
Real-World Risks:
- Data breaches starting with a simple click on a malicious link
- Malware infections spread via drive-by downloads
- Phishing attacks that trick employees into giving up credentials
- Bandwidth abuse from torrenting or video streaming
- Reputation damage from accidental access to inappropriate or risky content
- Compliance & legal risk from not adhering to regulatory standards (like HIPAA, CIPA, GDPR, etc.)
And perhaps worst of all, you often don’t know DNS is the problem until it’s too late.
How to Secure Your DNS: 6 Essential Steps
Here are essential steps to strengthen your DNS security posture:
1. Use a Secure and Customizable DNS Resolver
Modern DNS resolvers, like Control D, offer:
- Real-time threat blocking
- Granular DNS filtering
- AI-powered detection
- User-specific policies
- Easy deployment across OS and environments
2. Implement DNSSEC
Adds cryptographic validation to DNS responses, preventing spoofing and ensuring authenticity.
3. Monitor and Log DNS Traffic
Track DNS queries for visibility into domain access and potential threats.
- Set alerts for suspicious activity
- Identify anomalies early
- Create reports for compliance audits
4. Enable DNS Encryption
Use DoH or DoT to ensure DNS queries can’t be intercepted, read, or altered during transmission.
5. Apply Regular Updates
Keep DNS software and resolvers patched to mitigate vulnerabilities.
- Monitor update cycles
- Apply patches promptly
- Maintain backup servers for redundancy
6. Educate End Users
Train your team to recognize DNS-related threats.
- Avoid suspicious links
- Use secure DNS resolvers
- Report anomalies promptly
What to Look For in a DNS Security Provider
Not all DNS tools are created equal. When choosing a provider, look for:
- Cloud-native architecture
- Encrypted DNS (DoH/DoT)
- Custom rule creation and policy controls
- Real-time threat intelligence
- Comprehensive logging & analytics
- User/device-level filtering
- Transparent pricing
- Quality pricing
Why Control D Is the Best DNS Security Solution for Modern Businesses
Control D is a modern DNS resolver designed for security, simplicity, and scalability. Unlike legacy DNS firewalls or complex filtering appliances, Control D:
- Requires no agents or hardware
- Works on any OS or device
- Scales across remote teams and multi-cloud
- Is privacy-first by design
- Includes granular filtering, logging, and scheduling
Here’s why industry experts trust Control D to protect the internet’s most overlooked layer.
🔐 Best-in-Class Threat Protection
Control D has been independently tested and shown to block 99.97% of malware domains, outperforming many legacy solutions. Control D's multi-layered approach to threat detection ensures that malicious domains are blocked before they can cause harm. Key components include:
- Real-Time Threat Intelligence: Utilizes multiple threat intelligence feeds to identify and block malicious domains in real time.
- Machine Learning-Based Detection: Employs AI models to detect and block emerging threats not yet listed in traditional feeds.
- IP-Level Blocking: Prevents access to domains resolving to known malicious IP addresses.
This proactive stance ensures that threats are neutralized at the DNS level, safeguarding your network from potential breaches.
🛡️ Comprehensive Web and Service Filtering
Control D provides granular control over internet access through:
- Category-based Filtering: Offers 20 native Filter categories, including malware, phishing, adult content, and more, allowing organizations to enforce appropriate browsing policies.
- Service-based Filtering: Enables selective restriction of over 1,000 individual web applications and services, such as social media platforms, streaming services, and cloud applications, enhancing productivity and compliance.
These filtering capabilities ensure that users access only approved content, reducing exposure to potential risks.
⚙️ Custom Filtering and Rule Management
Tailor your DNS policies with Control D's flexible rule management features:
- Custom Rules: Block or allow specific domains, entire top-level domains (TLDs), or use wildcard entries for broader control.
- Geo-Based Rules: Implement rules based on the geographical location of source and destination IP addresses, allowing for region-specific access policies.
- Folders: Organize and manage rules efficiently, streamlining policy administration.
This level of customization ensures that DNS policies align precisely with organizational requirements.
🌐 Support for Modern DNS Protocols
To enhance security and privacy, Control D supports all modern DNS protocols, such as DoH, DoT, DoQ, and DoH/3.
By adopting these protocols, Control D ensures that DNS queries remain confidential and tamper-proof.
📊 In-Depth Analytics and Reporting
Gain valuable insights into your network's DNS activity with Control D's analytics features:
- Real-Time Statistics: Monitor DNS queries, blocks, and redirects as they occur.
- Activity Logs: Review historical data to identify trends and potential issues.
- SIEM Integration: Stream DNS logs to Security Information and Event Management systems for comprehensive security monitoring.
- Reports: Retain DNS logs for compliance reports and audits
These tools empower you to make data-driven decisions, respond swiftly to potential threats, and meet compliance standards
🧩 Seamless Integration and Deployment
Control D is designed for easy integration into your IT environment:
- Cross-Platform Support: Compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and various browsers and routers.
- MDM/RMM Compatibility: Facilitates mass deployment through Mobile Device Management and Remote Monitoring and Management platforms.
- API Access: Offers a comprehensive API for automation and integration with existing systems.
This flexibility ensures that Control D can be tailored to fit the unique needs of any organization.
👉 Check out our full list of integrations
🌐 Works Across Any Environment
Control D supports:
- Cloud infrastructure
- Remote workforces and BYOD setups
- Roaming devices and mobile endpoints
- School, nonprofit, and enterprise networks
🧠 Multi-Tenancy for Scalable DNS Management
Control D supports true multi-tenancy, making it ideal for enterprises, MSPs, schools, and any organization managing multiple departments, client accounts, and users.
- Separate DNS policies per tenant to isolate departments, clients, or users
- Independent logs and reports for clear visibility and auditing
- Role-based access control to delegate management securely
- Scalable setup – add new tenants instantly without new infrastructure
- Risk segmentation to reduce the blast radius from misconfigurations
This structure ensures each environment remains secure, organized, and easy to manage, all from a single dashboard.
💸 Transparent and Flexible Pricing
Control D offers straightforward pricing without hidden fees:
- Enterprise: $2 per endpoint per month.
- Managed Service Providers (MSPs): $1 per endpoint per month.
- Schools & Non-Profits: Special discounted pricing available.
No hidden tiers. No gated features. Just a flat fee for total DNS protection, ensuring full access to Control D’s capabilities from the outset.
Final Thoughts
DNS is one of the internet’s oldest protocols, but still one of its most vulnerable. It’s where threats often begin, and increasingly, where they can be stopped.
With Control D, you can secure it in minutes:
- Block threats before they happen
- Enforce internet usage policies
- Support compliance and audits
- Simplify cloud and hybrid security
