DNS (Domain Name System)

The Domain Name System (RFCs 1034/1035 and many extensions) is the distributed hierarchical database that translates human-readable domain names into IP addresses and other resource records. DNS is critical infrastructure exposed to spoofing, cache poisoning, amplification DDoS, and tunneling-based exfiltration. DNSSEC adds origin authentication, and DoH/DoT add transport encryption between client and resolver.

Categories: Radio Access NetworkSecurity ControlsThreats and Attacks

DNS in context

The radio access network is where mobile devices attach to the operator's infrastructure. Attacks in this layer include IMSI catching, rogue base stations and downgrade attacks; defenses rest on mutual authentication, integrity-protected signaling and Open RAN supply-chain hygiene.

Security controls span signaling firewalls (SS7/Diameter/GTP screening), transport encryption (IPsec, TLS, PRINS), identity and access on OSS/BSS, and monitoring at both packet and log level. Controls are audited against GSMA FS.11/FS.19/FS.20/FS.36.

To place DNS in the wider telecom-security picture, review A5/0, FCC, GNSS Spoofing, HTTP/2 Security in 5G, ICMP and NTP — each entry cross-references back to this page so you can walk the topic in either direction.

Related terms

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Browse the full TelcoSec Glossary, the Ultimate Guide to Mobile Network Security, or the P1 Arsenal of telecom-security tools.