Your website’s security depends on DNSSEC, but what happens when your DS and DNSKEY records aren’t working as expected?
You enable DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extensions) to protect your domain, but suddenly, users report issues accessing your website. Queries fail, and security warnings appear. The culprit? Misconfigured DS or DNSKEY records.
Before you panic, let’s break down how to validate and fix these records to restore secure DNS operations.
Understanding DS and DNSKEY Records: Why Are They Important?
These records play a key role in DNSSEC:
Record Type | Function |
DNSKEY Record | Stores the public key that verifies DNSSEC signatures. |
DS Record (Delegation Signer) | Links your domain’s DNSKEY record to the parent zone for validation. |
When these records are correct, DNSSEC ensures data integrity, preventing attacks like DNS spoofing. But if they’re misconfigured, expired, or missing, your domain may face security validation failures.
Common DS & DNSKEY Issues and How to Fix Them
Let’s troubleshoot based on real-world problems users encounter:
1. DS Record Mismatch
🔹 Issue: Your DS record doesn’t match the DNSKEY in your authoritative DNS.
🔹 Impact: Your domain fails DNSSEC validation, making it appear unreachable.
✅ Fix:
Retrieve the correct DNSKEY record from your DNS provider.
Update the DS record at your domain registrar to match the correct key details.
Validate using:
bashCopyEditdig DS yourdomain.com +dnssec
Ensure the output matches the expected fingerprint.
2. Missing or Incorrect DNSKEY Record
🔹 Issue: Your DNSKEY record is missing, expired, or incorrectly signed.
🔹 Impact: DNSSEC validation breaks, causing DNS resolution failures.
✅ Fix:
Check your DNS settings and confirm the presence of a valid DNSKEY record.
If using a managed DNS provider, generate a new DNSSEC key and publish it.
Use an online checker or run:
bashCopyEditdig DNSKEY yourdomain.com +dnssec
If the response is empty or incorrect, update your records accordingly.
3. TTL (Time-to-Live) Issues
🔹 Issue: TTL values are too low, causing frequent key rollover issues.
🔹 Impact: Frequent DNSSEC failures due to caching inconsistencies.
✅ Fix:
Set a reasonable TTL (e.g., 3600 seconds) to balance performance and stability.
Update TTL settings in your DNS provider's dashboard.
4. Parent Zone DS Record Not Updated
🔹 Issue: You changed your DNSKEY, but the DS record at the parent zone wasn't updated.
🔹 Impact: DNSSEC validation fails because the delegation chain is broken.
✅ Fix:
Whenever you rotate DNSSEC keys, manually update your DS record at your registrar.
Some registrars do this automatically, but always verify manually.
How to Validate Your DNSSEC Setup
Once you’ve fixed potential issues, validate your setup:
🛠️ Method 1: Online DNSSEC Validators
Use tools like:
Google’s DNSSEC Debugger
Verisign’s DNSSEC Analyzer
🛠️ Method 2: Command-Line Validation
bashCopyEditdig +dnssec yourdomain.com
Look for the AD (Authenticated Data) flag in the response. If missing, something is wrong.
FAQs: Quick Solutions for DNSSEC Troubles
🔹 Q: Can I have multiple DS records?
Yes. If you’re transitioning between keys, you may have two DS records temporarily for a seamless switch.
🔹 Q: What happens if I remove my DS record?
Your domain will fail DNSSEC validation, causing potential security risks and access issues.
🔹 Q: My DS record is correct, but DNSSEC still fails. What now?
Try flushing DNS caches with:
bashCopyEditsudo systemd-resolve --flush-caches
Then check with an online DNSSEC validator.
Final Thoughts: Secure Your DNS the Right Way
DS and DNSKEY records are the backbone of DNSSEC security, but even small misconfigurations can break domain validation. Regularly audit, validate, and update your records to ensure a smooth and secure DNS resolution.
🚀 Need an easier way to monitor DNSSEC health? Use YourDMARC for automated DNS security checks and real-time alerts!