DNS, or Domain Name System, is a crucial part of how the Internet works. It is a decentralized system that allows users to access websites using easily-rememberable names, rather than having to remember the complex numerical IP addresses of each website.
When a user types a website’s name into their browser, the browser sends a request to a DNS server to look up the corresponding IP address for that website. The DNS server then responds with the IP address, which the browser uses to establish a connection to the website’s server.
DNS works like a phone book for the Internet, allowing users to access websites by name rather than by numerical address. It is a hierarchical system, with each level of the hierarchy representing a different level of organization. At the top of the hierarchy is the root domain, which is represented by a single dot (.) and is managed by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA). Below the root domain are the top-level domains (TLDs), which include familiar names like .com, .org, and .net. These TLDs are divided into smaller subdomains, which can be further divided into even smaller subdomains.
In addition to providing a way for users to access websites by name, DNS also plays a role in cyber security. DNS servers can be configured to block access to certain websites or to redirect traffic to fake websites set up by attackers. It is important to ensure that DNS servers are secure and properly configured in order to protect against these types of attacks.
Overall, DNS is an essential part of how the Internet functions, allowing users to access websites by name and helping to ensure the security of online communication.
