What is a DNS Record?

DNS records are the building blocks of a domain naming system. They allow you to point a domain to a website, an email address, or another resource on the Internet.

A DNS record is a specific resource record stored in a DNS database that allows you to configure and control other information about your domain name. For example, you can set up your DNS records to tell the world what type of mail server your domain will use (e.g., Microsoft Exchange) or which IP address should be returned when someone visits your website.

DNS records are organized into zones, which correspond to one or more domains under your control. If you own example.com and example2.com domain names, each will have its own set of DNS records.

Why are DNS Records important?

1) DNS records help you stay on top of security issues

When you change your DNS records, it tells the world what’s going on with your site. If someone tries to hack into your site or add malicious code, they’ll be alerted by the change in DNS records and can fix it before anyone notices anything out of the ordinary.

2) DNS records keep people from being able to reach your site if it gets hacked

If someone manages to get into your site and replace its content with something else (e.g., an advertisement),changing the DNS record will make sure that only those who know about the change will be able to see it—people who don’t know about it will just see a blank page instead!

3) DNS records help you configure email authentication standards

Email authentication standards that were discussed in the previous module can be configured in the form of DNS records published in your Domain Name System. These records will work as digital instructions during sender verification and email authentication. 

Example of a DNS Record