WatchPoint Security Blog

How a Popular Bitcoin Site Could Have Prevented The Attack on Their Site

Written by Jordan Kadlec | October 19, 2016

A popular Bitcoin transaction site known as blockchain.info suffered a temporary DNS attack. The company’s internet properties were subjected to rogue control for the duration of the attack on the site. A DNS hijack or a DNS redirect attack occurs when a malicious hacker persuades the world to take the wrong turn when trying to access your website.



Here are some ways to take precaution.

Have two DNS servers

To prevent such attacks, consider running at least 2 DNS servers. If you are too busy to manage this, hire someone to run them for you. Potential visitors to your site can query the servers to find out where all other internet servers are located. This means that you can remove or add servers, move them around, adapt to load changes, switch network providers and react to emerging IT concerns, such as outages, without having to republish the details of new locations to your centralized list.

You must register your DNS server with an official registrar within your country. There are usually many DNS registrars to choose from, and they deal with updating and adding entries necessary to your country’s DNS database. Most registrars offer tools that allow you to update your DNS records through email, web portals, and telephone support lines.

 

How to prevent an all traffic risk

A hacker who gets hold of your password or gets into your system redirects all your incoming messages and customer details to their preferred destination. This causes two main problems; you are totally cut off to the extent that when you contact your service provider, the replies are received by the hackers. You become an outsider in your own system, and you may have to convince your service provider to switch things in your favor.

To prevent this problem, most registrars allow you to apply strict mode options that restrict DNS changes. For instance, you are allowed to enable two-factor authentication that makes it more difficult for hackers to get through your system. Set a telephone call back confirmation that confirms all requested changes. Through the phone number you provide, you are notified of suspicious changes and prevent the changes from being carried out.

 

Conclusion


Such website security concerns can be prevented or addressed by network security experts. WatchPoint works diligently to protect your valuable data from the latest threats.