What is DNSSEC?
DNSSEC is an extension to the Domain Name System (DNS) that adds an extra layer of security by digitally signing DNS records. This process ensures that the records received by DNS resolvers are authentic and have not been tampered with. By verifying the authenticity of DNS data, DNSSEC prevents attackers from injecting malicious records into the system.
What Happens When DNSSEC is Enabled?
When you enable DNSSEC for your domain, the following impacts occur:
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Enhanced Security: DNSSEC helps protect your domain from various attacks, including cache poisoning, which involves the injection of malicious DNS records into a DNS resolver’s cache.
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Slower DNS Propagation: DNSSEC introduces additional records and cryptographic validation steps. This makes the process of resolving DNS queries more complex, which can result in slower DNS propagation times.
What Happens When DNSSEC is Disabled?
Disabling DNSSEC leads to the following changes:
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Faster DNS Propagation: Without DNSSEC, DNS lookups are simpler and involve fewer records. This can result in faster DNS resolution and propagation. Without cryptographic signatures to validate, DNS resolvers can resolve domain names much more quickly.
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Reduced Security: Disabling DNSSEC removes its protections against attacks such as cache poisoning, leaving your site more vulnerable to potential DNS-based security threats.
Impact on DNS Propagation:
If your site is hosted on WordPress Hosting Pro or any similar hosting platform, slow DNS propagation could be caused by the presence of DNSSEC. To check if DNSSEC is enabled for your domain, you can use a tool like What’s My DNS.
By understanding the effects of DNSSEC on DNS propagation, you can make an informed decision about whether to enable or disable this security feature based on your website's needs and security requirements.