How to Encrypt DNS Lookups Using DNSCrypt

With the ever-rising cyber crime cases, it is becoming more difficult for computer users to ensure complete DNS security. Malware authors and programmers are adopting the latest techniques to invent virus infections that can trace down the details of a particular network, user, PC, or device. The best way to avail optimal security against such threats is to encrypt web traffic, by applying some latest and robust Internet security solutions. Setting up DNS system can easily convert a human readable address into the IP address to make it difficult for malware authors to track your online activities. Although, DNS is a clear text protocol, but it may offer basic protection features to secure your browsing activities on your network.

Encrypting DNS 

Unfortunately, DNS offers limited protection against online snooping, but it can compete with the modern security practices, when it comes to safeguard users from potential online scams. Fortunately, OpenDNS introduced DNSCrypt, open source software, to encrypt DNS connections between computer and their servers. The latest tool by OpenDNS can protect your browsing from snooping and eavesdropping practices, but it is also important to consider that nothing in the virtual world is foolproof. 

If you’re using a Wi-Fi hotspot or a shared home network, then look out for error (broken trust chain) resolving messages to get a clear picture of your network’s activities. Securing your DNS servers using this security protocol will transform the ‘www.google.com’ to ‘173.194.34.179,’ leaving a hacker confused about the websites you’ve accessed. Additionally, you should also apply some additional encrypting software or technology along with VPN to encrypt the whole communication.

Setting Up DNS

Use DNSCrypt-proxy for securing DNS servers to ensure that your default ISP DNS server gets replaced with a new and protected domain name. Connect the server, and run it on your local machine to configure your network settings and enjoy a safer browsing experience. The next step is to set up a personal DNS server to configure the server via the encrypted link. 

Follow the steps to learn how to connect to a personal secured server:

•        Run DNSProxy on the network DNS machine along with BIND
 

•        Find a ‘Debian /etc/init.d startup’ script from the web to setup the proxy configuration
 

·         Now, configure BIND to use the DNSProxy as a forwarder and run the following commands:

“In /etc/bind/named.conf.options:

forwarders {

127.0.0.1 port 5553;

};”

•        Try putting blank forwarders section in the zone file for your local domain by following these commands:

“zone "example.local" {

type master;

notify no;

file "/etc/bind/db.example.local";

forwarders { };

};”

·         Once the changes take place, you’ve just finished securing DNS servers. 

Things That You Will Experience after Installing DNS Protocol 

•        The tool will provide helpful content filtering, typo correction, and a search page support for bad domains

•        ‘OpenDNS’ servers do not support DNSSEC, and the company will do the DNSSEC validation on your behalf

Conclusion 

Managing online security is undoubtedly a difficult task, but you can adopt several measures to encrypt web traffic and avail best online server protection. An average user may find it difficult to set up DNS servers, but it is important for ensuring the overall safety of your networks and online activities. If you think that installing DNS security protocols can protect you from all the major virtual threats, then you’re wrong. Virtual world is full of uncertainties, and that may occur anytime to ruin your pleasant computing or online experience.