Domain Monitoring

What is Domain Monitoring?

Domain monitoring is the practice of monitoring an organization’s internet domains.

This includes tracking changes to domain registrations, detecting look-alike or typosquatting domains, and monitoring for signs of malicious use, like phishing or spreading malware.

The ultimate goal of domain monitoring is to catch threats early, enabling you to take action.

Why Is Domain Monitoring Important?

According to IBM, the top initial attack vectors are phishing and stolen credentials.

These attack vectors both exploit domains in some capacity. Which is why domain monitoring is an essential defense mechanism.

Domain monitoring helps organizations in the following ways:

Improved Security: Domain monitoring helps identify and mitigate threats like phishing attacks. It helps security teams detect look-alike domains used to steal sensitive information.
Brand Protection: Protect your brand by detecting unauthorized use of similar domain names. Attackers often use these to trick customers or damage your reputation.
Customer Trust: Customers are less likely to fall victim to scams impersonating your brand when you proactively remove fraudulent domains. Proactively removing fraudulent domains decreases the likelihood of your customers falling victim

How Does Domain Monitoring Work?

Here’s a breakdown of key areas it covers:

Registration Monitoring: Continually monitor new domain registrations. Pay special attention to domains that are similar to yours. This helps detect typosquatting and phishing attempts early.
DNS Monitoring: Track all DNS records and changes. This can alert you to unauthorized changes that might indicate a hijacking attempt.
WHOIS Data Monitoring: Keep track of your domain’s WHOIS details. Any changes in this data can signal potential security issues or unauthorized transfers.
SSL Certificate Monitoring: Track your SSL certificate expiry dates. Make sure they’re renewed on time. Expired certificates will break your applications.
Content Monitoring: Monitor for content changes on your apps. This can be done by comparing file checksums. This helps detect unauthorized changes or the presence of malicious code.

Real-World Examples of Domain-Based Attacks

Netnod: Netnod is a major DNS provider based in Sweden. They run one of the 13 “root” name servers, a critical part of the global DNS infrastructure. From 2018 to 2019, attackers targeted their infrastructure by sending unauthorized EPP instructions to various registries. This allowed them to redirect traffic and capture sensitive data. The attackers were also able to disable DNSSEC safeguards long enough to obtain SSL certificates for Netnod’s email servers.
Google Vietnam: In 2015, the threat actor group LizardSquad, gained unauthorized access to the DNS settings of Google Vietnam’s domain. This allowed them to redirect visitors to a malicious website displaying the group’s message. Beyond the significant disruptions this caused, the attackers also had access to any sensitive data sent to the hijacked domain.
OCBC Bank: In 2021, customers of Singapore’s Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC) were hit by phishing attacks, resulting in approximately $8.5 million in losses across 470 customers. The attackers used fraudulent domains to trick customers into providing their account details. Despite the bank’s efforts to shut down these domains and alert customers, the attackers continually set up new “mule” accounts to receive the stolen funds.

Benefits of Domain Monitoring

Proactive Threat Detection: Domain monitoring can catch threats early by identifying suspicious activity before attackers can cause damage.
Faster Incident Response: Automated alerts allow security teams to react quickly to potential threats, mitigating the risk of serious breaches.
Regulatory Compliance: Certain industries have specific compliance requirements regarding cybersecurity. Domain monitoring can help ensure that your organization meets these standards.

How to Get Started with Domain Monitoring?

To effectively implement domain monitoring, follow these steps:

Define Objectives and Scope: Create a list of your organization’s domains, subdomains, and related assets that need monitoring. Understand the types of threats you want to detect, such as typosquatting, DNS hijacking, and unauthorized changes.
Choose the Right Tools: Track new domain registrations, new TLS certs generated, and WHOIS data. Implement DNS monitoring tools to detect changes in DNS records. Use WHOIS data monitoring tools to keep track of ownership changes and expiration dates.
Set Up Automated Alerts: Configure your monitoring tools to send automated alerts. Generate alerts for suspicious domains, like lookalikes or typosquatting domains, and any DNS record changes. Customize alerts based on specific keywords, patterns, or threat intelligence relevant to your organization.
Integrate with Security Operations: Integrate domain monitoring tools with your SIEM (Security Information and Event Management). Having a single centralized place to analyze logs and threat intel make things easier. Develop and implement incident response procedures for handling alerts.
Continuous Monitoring and Analysis: Regularly audit your domain portfolio. This helps ensure your asset inventory is up to date and monitoring configured properly. Integrate data breach monitoring to gain visibility into leaked employee credentials. Attackers use leaked credentials to make unauthorized DNS or WHOIS changes.

Best Practices for Domain Monitoring

Monitor Variations: Monitor for common misspellings or variations of your domain names. This can help catch typosquatting and phishing attempts.
Track Global Domains: For businesses that operate internationally, monitor regional variations of your domain. Attackers may register similar domains in different countries.
Use Domain Locking: Enable domain locking in your registrar’s account settings. This can help prevent unauthorized domain transfers.
Monitor Expiration Dates: Keep track of your domain expiration dates. Missing a domain renewal can lead to your domain being hijacked or taken by malicious actors.