Reverse Domain Name System (DNS) Lookup
Reverse Domain
Name System (DNS) Lookup refers to the reverse of what happens in a Domain Name
System (DNS) Lookup. To elaborate, the DNS or hostname is queried to get the
corresponding IP address in Domain Name System (DNS) lookup. The opposite of
this happens in Reverse Domain Name System (DNS) lookup, where the IP address
is queried to find the hostname.
Domain Name System (DNS)
Domain Name
System’s abbreviation is DNS. It refers to a hierarchical and decentralized nomenclature
of computers, services or other resources that are connected to either the Internet or to a private network. The DNS
delegates the task that assigns domain names and maps those to Internet
resources. It translates domain names that are more easily memorized, to
numerical IP addresses. These IP addresses are used to locate and identify computer
services and devices. The DNS specifies the technical functionality of the
service related to a database. A DNS database stores most commonly the
following types of records, IP
addresses (A and AAAA), Start of Authority (SOA), name servers (NS), SMTP mail
exchangers (MX), domain
name aliases (CNAME) and pointers for reverse DNS lookups (PTR).
The Reverse DNS records are stored in a PTR record which is a type of a DNS
record. A pointer (PTR) record aids in resolving an IP address to a hostname.
In the context
of the Internet, the first thing that comes to mind are the various websites
that we browse on the Internet. These websites are accessible due to the server
space and the services that are provided by web hosting companies, through the
wide range of paid packages that these offer. There are different types of
hosting services that are provided by web hosts. These are shared, dedicated,
cloud, VPS, reseller and WordPress. When terms such as, “Windows
Shared Hosting” or “Linux Dedicated
Hosting” or even the “Best Linux Web Hosting
in India” are used, these refer to various types of web hosting
services.
What
are the Uses of Reverse Domain Name System (DNS) Lookup?
Reverse Domain
Name System (DNS) Lookup is advantageous in many situations. These will be
touched upon as we progress. The first use that needs to be mentioned is how
Reverse Domain Name System (DNS) Lookup aids in finding spam emails. It is
challenging to discern licit mail servers from spam servers with the aid of
nothing more than the IP addresses. Potential clues are provided by certain
generic Reverse Domain Name System (DNS) names for a mail server that is spam.
This is one of the many ways in which the Reverse Domain Name System (DNS)
Lookup can come in handy.
It also helps
in acquiring information about the visitors of a particular website. IP
addresses are usually maintained in the website visit logs. Reverse Domain Name
System (DNS) Lookup can be used for finding the hostname of the visitors of any
website. This can prove to be very advantageous for businesses.
It is extremely
useful with regard to one’s outgoing emails when one is hosting one’s own email
server. With the help of Reverse DNS record the origin of an email can be traced.
This adds to the email server’s credibility. Often incoming emails are not
granted entry in the email boxes of certain incoming email servers unless one
has Reverse DNS record set up. This is an important point to bear in mind, if
one is using one’s own mail server.
Last but not
the least, Reverse Domain Name System (DNS) Lookup can prove to be very
beneficial when a cybercrime investigation is being carried out. Moreover,
Reverse DNS records can help to identify potential dangers that lurk in the
cyberspace.
Final
Thoughts
Reverse DNS
Lookup, which is essentially the opposite of a traditional DNS Lookup, queries
DNS servers for a PTR (pointer) record. It proves to be very useful in many
ways and for various purposes, as is evident from all the information that has
been provided here.
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