Kali Linux, a powerful penetration testing distribution, often operates in sensitive environments. Protecting your network traffic, including DNS queries, is paramount. DNS over HTTPS (DoH) enhances your privacy and security by encrypting your DNS lookups, preventing eavesdropping and manipulation by network intermediaries. This guide will walk you through setting up and using DoH on your Kali Linux system.
Traditional DNS operates over UDP or TCP, making it susceptible to various attacks. Man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks can intercept DNS queries, redirecting you to malicious websites or injecting malware. DoH mitigates these risks by encapsulating DNS queries within HTTPS, leveraging the security and encryption of TLS.
When using DoH, your DNS queries are encrypted and sent to a DoH-capable resolver. This resolver then processes the query and sends back the encrypted response. This process prevents your ISP, network administrators, or potential attackers from seeing your browsing history or being able to perform DNS spoofing attacks.
Several reputable DoH resolvers are available. The choice depends on your priorities, such as privacy, speed, and location. Popular options include:
It's crucial to select a resolver you trust and whose privacy policy aligns with your needs. Research each provider before making a decision.
There are several ways to configure DoH on Kali Linux:
If you are using NetworkManager to manage your network connections, you can configure DoH directly within its settings. This often involves navigating to the network settings, selecting your connection, and specifying the DoH server URL in the DNS settings. The exact steps may vary based on your desktop environment.
Directly editing the `/etc/resolv.conf` file is generally discouraged because it's often overwritten by NetworkManager or other system services. While you *can* add DoH settings here, it's not a reliable or persistent solution.
systemd-resolved is the recommended method for managing DNS on many modern Linux distributions, including Kali. This provides a more robust and managed approach than directly manipulating configuration files. To configure DoH using systemd-resolved, you need to edit the /etc/systemd/resolved.conf file:
sudo nano /etc/systemd/resolved.confAdd or modify the following line, replacing https://dns.google/dns-query with the URL of your chosen DoH resolver:
DNS=https://dns.google/dns-querySave the file and then reload systemd-resolved:
sudo systemctl restart systemd-resolvedAfter configuring DoH, you can verify its functionality using tools like dig or nslookup. If configured correctly, these commands should utilize the HTTPS protocol for DNS lookups.
dig google.com @ +tries=1 +time=1 Replace
While DoH enhances security, it's important to remember that it's not a silver bullet. The security of your system depends on the overall security posture of your Kali Linux installation and the chosen DoH resolver. Ensure your system is up-to-date, use strong passwords, and regularly review the security policies of your DoH provider.
Using DoH is a significant step towards improving your network security and privacy on Kali Linux. By carefully choosing a resolver and following the configuration steps, you can significantly reduce the risk of DNS-related attacks.