Digging DNS
This site is an ever growing and updated collection of everything I have ever learned or wish someone had told me about domain names. You will find a bit of everything here, including:
- Basics of domain names
- How the industry works
- Investigating domain names
- Combating DNS abuse
- Rants on why things are the way they are
Updated as I have free time/think of things/people make suggestions.
Basics
Domains and IP Addresses: A Guide to Their Relationship
It's not always one domain, one IP address. Learn how IPv4 scarcity, web servers, and services like Cloudflare enable many websites to live at the same digital address.
A Guide to DNS and Its Common Record Types
Understand how the internet finds websites and the essential DNS records like A, MX, CNAME, and TXT that make it all work.
Understanding Effective TLDs (eTLDs) and the Public Suffix List
Master the nuance of the eTLD, and the internet becomes much easier to understand.
A Glossary of Common Domain Name & Internet Terminology
Defining key terms related to domain names, DNS, and internet infrastructure to help you build your understanding.
Anatomy of a Domain
A good place to start to understand the different parts of a domain name.
An Introduction to WHOIS
WHOIS - the protocol that used to be a goldmine of personal data.
ICANN, IANA, Registries & Registrars
The four major entities behind domain names.
Deep
Techniques
Passive DNS: A Must Have
In a world of redacted WHOIS, Passive DNS is the game-changing technique that turns a single clue into a map of infrastructure.
An OSINT Perspective on DNS Records
DNS records are more than just technical settings; they are digital fingerprints. Here's a guide to what they can reveal during an investigation.
Have You Tried an AXFR?
Using DNS zone transfers (AXFR) to potentially enumerate all records for a domain.
Checking Old Nameservers for Forgotten DNS Records
Leveraging lazy DNS record maintenance to uncover historical infrastructure details.
