CyberGuard dictionary / Network Security
DNS Spoofing
Manipulation of DNS information so a name resolves to an unintended destination.
In simple terms
Someone changes or forges an address lookup so a familiar name leads somewhere else.
Technical explanation
Spoofing may target a resolver cache, local hosts file, or DNS response path; the exact mechanism determines suitable defenses.
A forged or altered response causes a name to resolve to an unintended destination. Defenses differ by attack path and can include protected resolver access, DNSSEC validation where deployed, and certificate checks.
Examples in practice
A device receives a forged DNS answer pointing a banking name to an impostor site.
On a compromised public network, a laptop is handed a false response for a familiar site. The browser's certificate warning becomes an important second signal that the destination may be an impostor.
Why it matters
A familiar domain name is not enough if name resolution has been tampered with.
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Sources and further reading
Published 2026-10-15 · Last updated 2026-10-15 · CyberGuard editorial content. Source links provide context; they do not imply endorsement.