Using different DNS server

markprior22 · 04-22-2015, 05:23 PM

If I use a DNS server from an online site, am I opening myself up for phishing, viruses, credit card info being stolen, etc? I want to subscribe to a service that requires you use their DNS but I don't know much about this so I'm a little hesitant. Thanks

cartman · 04-22-2015, 05:30 PM

That does raise some red flags. Usually DNS is a public thing, and that they want you to use only their DNS is kind of strange. That means that they likely have some servers that they don't have public DNS records for. It also means that you'd have to trust whatever address they give you to connect to other websites. Usually SSL would help alleviate some of those concerns, but recent vulnerabilities have shown it can be circumvented.

jeff061 · 04-22-2015, 05:44 PM

Agree with Cartman says. It gives them the ability to redirect your traffic to anything they want. A million reasons they'd want to do this, none of them good and most of them would be invisible to you(if they are doing it right).

Generally speaking using a public DNS of good standing is not a bad thing, I use OpenDNS. But yeah, there's no technical reason why a service provider would need you to use theirs(who doesn't have/want public DNS records for a customer facing service?), so the question is what's their motivation?

CraigSca · 04-22-2015, 09:09 PM

I'm highly interested why any site would want you to do this. What kind of service is it?

markprior22 · 04-23-2015, 06:17 AM

It's a site that masks your physical location. Enables you to watch sporting events that are otherwise blacked out.

04-22-2015, 05:30 PM	#2
cartman Death Herald Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Le stelle la notte sono grandi e luminose nel cuore profondo del Texas	That does raise some red flags. Usually DNS is a public thing, and that they want you to use only their DNS is kind of strange. That means that they likely have some servers that they don't have public DNS records for. It also means that you'd have to trust whatever address they give you to connect to other websites. Usually SSL would help alleviate some of those concerns, but recent vulnerabilities have shown it can be circumvented. __________________ Thinkin' of a master plan 'Cuz ain't nuthin' but sweat inside my hand So I dig into my pocket, all my money is spent So I dig deeper but still comin' up with lint

04-22-2015, 05:44 PM	#3
jeff061 Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: MA	Agree with Cartman says. It gives them the ability to redirect your traffic to anything they want. A million reasons they'd want to do this, none of them good and most of them would be invisible to you(if they are doing it right). Generally speaking using a public DNS of good standing is not a bad thing, I use OpenDNS. But yeah, there's no technical reason why a service provider would need you to use theirs(who doesn't have/want public DNS records for a customer facing service?), so the question is what's their motivation? __________________ Last edited by jeff061 : 04-22-2015 at 05:46 PM.

04-22-2015, 09:09 PM	#4
CraigSca Pro Starter Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Not Delaware - hurray!	I'm highly interested why any site would want you to do this. What kind of service is it? __________________ She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah! She loves you, yeah! how do you know? how do you know?

04-23-2015, 06:17 AM	#5
markprior22 High School Varsity Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: springfield, il	It's a site that masks your physical location. Enables you to watch sporting events that are otherwise blacked out.

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