Leading Provider in Managed IT Services Shares Best Practices for Dealing with Data Attacks Through DNS
Cascade Tel, a leading managed technology services provider (MTSP), is helping small to mid-sized businesses (SMBs) protect themselves and their customers from DNS (Domain Name Server) attacks through innovative technology solutions. As businesses around the world continue to migrate to cloud-based technology, and the demand for these solutions continues, the risk of a DNS-based attack grows simultaneously, as well. Cascade Tel is actively educating the business community and protecting SMBs from these threats.
Many businesses don’t realize the potential dangers of this type of threat because of its abstract nature. Domain Name Servers (DNS) maintain a directory of domain names and translate them to Internet Protocol (IP) addresses. When hackers attack, they essentially overload websites with traffic, and then siphon traffic from the site the user was attempting to visit to a malicious one. Once the user arrives, they are subject to phishing attacks, malware installation and a whole host of other threats. Domain Name Servers are essentially the intersection between an Internet user and any business application they’re attempting to reach. Having unsecured DNS settings is like having an unsecured traffic system. If hackers can get inside and control which lights turn green and which turn red, imagine the traffic and accidents that could occur. This is essentially what is happening within unprotected networks.
“Most business owners are completely unaware of this threat and it’s growing prevalence. We basically tell our customers that if they don’t have DNS security measures in place, they don’t have any security at all,” stated Allan Clack, President of Cascade Tel. “If there’s a site that is known to be malicious, the company simply must prevent access.”
An oversimplified explanation of DNS security is that everyone uses the Internet and that DNS security services actively disables employees, vendors and customers from being able to visit sites that are known to have been contaminated or malicious in nature. This safeguards all stakeholders and keeps company reputations strong by preventing hackers from ever reaching the data they wish to misuse.
DNS attacks have even reached major players in today’s business world. In fact, in 2016 there was a major DNS attack that shocked the world and captured everyone’s attention regarding the power of the issue. The Guardian reported that the attack was “…bringing down sites including Twitter, the Guardian, Netflix, Reddit, CNN and many others in Europe and the US.” The Guardian also added, “The cause of the outage was a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack, in which a network of computers infected with special malware, known as a ‘botnet’, are coordinated into bombarding a server with traffic until it collapses under the strain.”
ABOUT CASCADE TEL
Cascade Tel is locally owned and operated and is Central Oregon’s business owner’s first choice for over 23 years. Cascade Tel’s goal is to provide each client a custom designed telecommunications solution that not only enhances their customer’s experience, but also provides increased profitability and a competitive advantage. Cascade Tel is a single source contact for all voice, data, and video needs.
Cascade Tel provides industry-leading products with Factory Certified Technicians, Sales and Customer Service Staff, to ensure customer satisfaction by maximizing system performance.
Cascade Tel provides around the clock service to ensure system reliability with the mission critical nature of the telecommunications. Cascade Tel offers comprehensive service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and emergency service guaranteed within 1 hour.
For more information on Cascade Tel, call 541-388-5158 or visit www.cascadetel.com.
