OpenDNSSEC Project Launch: Enhancing DNS Traffic Encryption Security

A consortium of security and infrastructure management organisations has launched a new project to help secure Domain Name System (DNS) queries. OpenDNSSEC will provide a way for service providers and hosting vendors to encrypt DNS traffic. DNS servers allow URL addresses to be linked with the machine address of a site's host server, and are a fundamental aspect of everyday internet use.

The system has gone largely unnoticed in the past, but security researchers have been paying increased attention to the DNS service and its perceived weaknesses.

Many worry that hackers could compromise DNS servers, and redirect traffic without user knowledge.