Microsoft Confirms Critical Bug in Windows 11 24H2 Causing BSOD Crashes

Microsoft has acknowledged a serious flaw in its recent Windows 11 24H2 updates that is triggering widespread Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) errors. The crash, linked to the stop code SECURE_KERNEL_ERROR (0x18B), is affecting a significant number of users globally.

Escalation Following April 2025 Update

Although initial signs of the issue emerged in March 2025—first noted by Windows Latest—it gained serious traction after the release of the April 2025 Patch Tuesday update. The bug has been traced back to three recent updates:

• KB5053598 (March 11 – Patch Tuesday)
• KB5053656 (March 27 – Optional Update)
• KB5055523 (April 8 – Patch Tuesday)

Users have reported that after installing any of these updates, their systems either crash during reboot or enter an endless restart loop, with some devices becoming completely unbootable.

Root of the Problem: Secure Kernel Failure

The crash points to a malfunction in the Secure Kernel, a core part of Windows responsible for security and virtualization services. Initially, Microsoft did not respond, likely due to the limited number of affected users. However, once the problem escalated in April, the company quietly confirmed it through updates to its official support documentation and began a deeper investigation.

Other Reported Issues

• Windows Hello authentication failures, preventing sign-in via PIN or facial recognition
• App compatibility issues, particularly on ARM devices—e.g., Roblox fails to open, and some Citrix applications won’t install

Microsoft’s Temporary Solution: Known Issue Rollback (KIR)

To address the disruption, Microsoft is using its Known Issue Rollback (KIR) mechanism, which disables the problematic portions of the updates through a server-side patch. This is being rolled out automatically via Windows Update to all consumer and unmanaged business devices. According to Microsoft, full rollout may take up to 24 hours.

Users are advised to:

• Keep their devices connected to the internet
• Restart their PCs multiple times to help apply the KIR patch more quickly

In managed IT environments, system administrators must deploy a Group Policy update to reverse the buggy changes manually. This policy can be found under Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates in the Group Policy Editor, with full steps outlined in Microsoft’s documentation.

Long-Term Fix in Progress

While KIR serves as a temporary remedy, Microsoft is working on a permanent fix expected to arrive in an upcoming update. In the meantime, affected users should regularly check for updates and continue rebooting their systems to ensure the rollback is successfully applied.

Summary of Affected Updates and Issues

Update	Release Date	Main Problems	Mitigation Method
KB5053598	Mar 11, 2025	BSOD (SECURE_KERNEL_ERROR)	Auto KIR (server-side)
KB5053656	Mar 27, 2025	BSOD, Windows Hello issues	KIR / Group Policy
KB5055523	Apr 8, 2025	BSOD, login errors, app failures	KIR / Group Policy

Actionable Steps for Users

• Reboot your PC several times and check for updates to apply the fix faster.
• For business devices, IT teams should implement the Group Policy rollback and restart systems.
• Monitor for future patches from Microsoft, particularly in the May 2025 update.

Final Thoughts

Microsoft’s swift implementation of KIR has helped reduce the disruption, but the situation has reignited debates around the stability of rapid-fire Windows updates. As the company works toward a more permanent resolution, users remain cautious about installing future updates without delays or complications.

A Comprehensive Guide to openpyxl

In the world of Python programming, managing Excel files is a common task. Whether you're automating reports, data analysis, or even developing a small application, openpyxl is an excellent library for reading and writing Excel (xlsx) files. In this article, we'll dive deep into what openpyxl is, why you should use it, and how you can perform various operations with practical code examples.

What is openpyxl?

openpyxl is a popular Python library used to work with Excel 2010 xlsx/xlsm/xltx/xltm files. It allows you to create, modify, and extract data from Excel spreadsheets programmatically. The library is widely appreciated for its ease of use, comprehensive features, and active community support.

Key Features

• Reading and Writing Excel Files: Open and modify existing workbooks or create new ones from scratch.
• Styling: Format cells, add fonts, borders, colors, and more.
• Formulas and Functions: Create cells with formulas and let Excel calculate the results.
• Charts: Generate different types of charts to visualize data.
• Data Validation: Implement drop-down lists and other forms of data validation.
• Conditional Formatting: Apply formatting based on specific conditions.

The Purpose of openpyxl

openpyxl is designed to simplify Excel file manipulation through Python scripts. It is used in various domains such as:

• Data Analysis: Automate the extraction, transformation, and loading (ETL) of data.
• Reporting: Generate reports with dynamic data updates.
• Automation: Replace repetitive manual tasks in Excel with automated scripts.
• Data Visualization: Create charts and graphs to represent data visually.

By automating Excel tasks, openpyxl saves time, reduces errors, and improves productivity, making it an indispensable tool for developers and data analysts alike.

Getting Started with openpyxl

Installation

Before you start using openpyxl, you need to install it. You can easily install openpyxl using pip:

pip install openpyxl

Basic Usage

Let’s begin with a simple example that demonstrates how to create a new Excel workbook and add some data to it.

Creating a New Workbook

from openpyxl import Workbook

# Create a new workbook and select the active worksheet
wb = Workbook()
ws = wb.active

# Add some data to the worksheet
ws['A1'] = "Hello"
ws['B1'] = "World!"

# Save the workbook to a file
wb.save("example.xlsx")

In this snippet, we:

• Imported the Workbook class.
• Created a new workbook and accessed the default worksheet.
• Added data to cells A1 and B1.
• Saved the workbook as "example.xlsx".

Reading from an Excel File

from openpyxl import load_workbook

# Load an existing workbook
wb = load_workbook("example.xlsx")
ws = wb.active

# Read and print the content of a specific cell
print(ws['A1'].value)  # Output: Hello

Advanced Usage and Examples

Styling Cells

from openpyxl import Workbook
from openpyxl.styles import Font, Color, PatternFill

wb = Workbook()
ws = wb.active

# Create a font style
bold_font = Font(bold=True, color="FF0000")  # Red, bold text

# Apply the font style to a cell
ws['A1'].font = bold_font
ws['A1'] = "Styled Text"

# Apply a fill color to another cell
fill = PatternFill(start_color="FFFF00", end_color="FFFF00", fill_type="solid")
ws['B1'].fill = fill
ws['B1'] = "Highlighted"

wb.save("styled_example.xlsx")

Working with Formulas

wb = Workbook()
ws = wb.active

ws['A1'] = 10
ws['A2'] = 20
ws['A3'] = "=SUM(A1:A2)"  # Excel will calculate this sum

wb.save("formula_example.xlsx")

Creating Charts

from openpyxl import Workbook
from openpyxl.chart import LineChart, Reference

wb = Workbook()
ws = wb.active

# Add some sample data
rows = [
    ['Month', 'Sales'],
    ['January', 100],
    ['February', 120],
    ['March', 140],
    ['April', 130],
    ['May', 150],
]
for row in rows:
    ws.append(row)

# Create a line chart
chart = LineChart()
data = Reference(ws, min_col=2, min_row=1, max_row=6)
chart.add_data(data, titles_from_data=True)
chart.title = "Monthly Sales"
chart.x_axis.title = "Month"
chart.y_axis.title = "Sales"

# Place the chart on the worksheet
ws.add_chart(chart, "E2")

wb.save("chart_example.xlsx")

Data Validation

from openpyxl import Workbook
from openpyxl.worksheet.datavalidation import DataValidation

wb = Workbook()
ws = wb.active

# Create a data validation object with a drop-down list
dv = DataValidation(type="list", formula1='"Option1,Option2,Option3"', showDropDown=True)
ws.add_data_validation(dv)

# Apply data validation to a specific range
dv.add(ws["A1"])

ws["A1"] = "Select an option"
wb.save("datavalidation_example.xlsx")

Conditional Formatting

from openpyxl import Workbook
from openpyxl.formatting.rule import CellIsRule
from openpyxl.styles import Font

wb = Workbook()
ws = wb.active

# Populate some data
for i in range(1, 11):
    ws[f"A{i}"] = i * 10

# Apply conditional formatting: Highlight cells greater than 50
red_font = Font(color="FF0000")
rule = CellIsRule(operator='greaterThan', formula=['50'], stopIfTrue=True, font=red_font)
ws.conditional_formatting.add("A1:A10", rule)

wb.save("conditional_formatting_example.xlsx")

Best Practices and Tips

• Modularize Code: When working on larger projects, separate Excel manipulation code into functions or classes for reusability.
• Error Handling: Always include error handling when reading/writing files, as file access issues can cause unexpected errors.
• Documentation: Refer to the openpyxl documentation for detailed information and updates.
• Optimize Performance: For very large files, consider iterating over rows using optimized methods provided by openpyxl.

Conclusion

openpyxl is an incredibly versatile and powerful tool for automating Excel tasks using Python. Whether you're creating complex reports, visualizing data with charts, or ensuring data integrity with validations and conditional formatting, openpyxl offers a comprehensive suite of features to help streamline your workflow.

With a supportive community and detailed documentation, it’s an excellent choice for both beginners and advanced users. Start exploring its features today and see how it can transform your data processing tasks!

Extract Links and Redirections from Shortened links using pyurlextract

Shortened URLs are everywhere, but do you know where they lead? With pyurlextract, you can extract full URLs and uncover all possible redirections effortlessly.

Why Use URL Extraction?

• Security – Avoid phishing and malicious redirects.
• Transparency – Know the full destination of shortened URLs.
• SEO & Marketing – Analyze link redirections for optimization.
• Automation – Extract and analyze links in bulk.

Installation

pip install pyurlextract

Usage

from pyurlextract import extract_shorturl

short_url = "https://bit.ly/example"
full_link, all_links = extract_shorturl(short_url)

if full_link is None:
    print("Failed to expand the URL")
    print("Details:", all_links)
else:
    print("Original URL:", short_url)
    print("Full Link:", full_link)
    print("All Possible Redirections:", all_links)

Example Output

Original URL: https://bit.ly/example
Full Link: https://example.com/page
All Possible Redirections: ['https://example.com/page', 'https://redirect.example.com']

Key Features

• Expands shortened URLs into full links.
• Extracts all possible redirections.
• Lightweight and fast.
• Easy to integrate with Python projects.

Get Involved

Want to contribute? Check out repository:

GitHub Repository: https://github.com/Deadpool2000/pyurlextract/

PyPI Package: https://pypi.org/project/pyurlextract/

Conclusion

With pyurlextract, you no longer need to guess where a short link leads. Whether for security, SEO, or research, this tool ensures complete transparency.

Try pyurlextract today and take control over shortened URLs!

GitHub Secrets: The Ultimate Guide to Securing API Keys & Sensitive Data

🚀 Quick Takeaway: GitHub Secrets encrypts and stores credentials (API keys, tokens, passwords) so you never risk exposing them in code. This guide shows you how to use them properly.

Why Hardcoding API Keys Is a Developer’s Worst Nightmare

In 2023, OWASP reported that 64% of API breaches stemmed from leaked credentials. Hardcoding secrets like:

• DATABASE_PASSWORD = "qwerty123"
• STRIPE_API_KEY = "sk_live_..."

...is like leaving your house keys in the door. GitHub Secrets acts as a vault to lock them away securely.

How GitHub Secrets Works: Behind the Scenes

When you create a secret:

1. GitHub encrypts it using Libsodium (a secure cryptographic library)
2. Stores it in a dedicated secrets manager tied to your repository
3. Only exposes it during workflow execution to authorized actions

Step-by-Step: Using GitHub Secrets in Your Project

1. Adding Secrets to Your Repository

1. Navigate to your GitHub repo → Settings → Secrets and variables → Actions
2. Click New repository secret
3. Name your secret (e.g., PROD_DB_PASSWORD) and paste its value

2. Accessing Secrets in GitHub Actions

name: Deploy App
on: [push]
jobs:
  build:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - name: Connect to Database
        env:
          DB_PASS: ${{ secrets.PROD_DB_PASSWORD }}
        run: |
          echo "Testing database connection..."
          mysql -u admin -p$DB_PASS -h db.example.com

⚠️ Critical Note: Secrets are NOT available in:

• Pull requests from forks
• Workflows triggered by outside contributors

Advanced API Security Strategies

Secret Rotation: Don’t Get Hacked by Stale Keys

Rotate secrets every 90 days using GitHub’s API:

curl -X PUT -H "Authorization: token YOUR_GITHUB_TOKEN" \
  https://api.github.com/repos/OWNER/REPO/actions/secrets/SECRET_NAME \
  -d '{"encrypted_value":"NEW_ENCRYPTED_VALUE", "key_id":"KEY_ID"}'

Auditing & Monitoring

• Enable GitHub Audit Log to track secret access
• Use github-script to automate expiry checks

Real-World Example: Secure AWS Deployment

- name: Configure AWS Credentials
  uses: aws-actions/configure-aws-credentials@v2
  with:
    aws-access-key-id: ${{ secrets.AWS_ACCESS_KEY_ID }}
    aws-secret-access-key: ${{ secrets.AWS_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY }}
    aws-region: us-east-1

- name: Deploy to S3
  run: aws s3 sync ./dist s3://your-bucket

When to Use Variables vs Secrets

GitHub Variables	GitHub Secrets
Non-sensitive data (e.g., API URLs)	Sensitive credentials (e.g., passwords)
Visible in plaintext	Encrypted at rest

Top 3 Security Mistakes to Avoid

1. Using Broad Permissions: Never give admin rights to deployment keys
2. Ignoring Org-Level Secrets: Centralize management for team projects
3. Forgetting CI/CD Scope: Secrets only work in GitHub Actions – not in application runtime

🔒 Pro Tip: Use TruffleHog to scan your Git history for accidentally committed secrets!

Conclusion: Build Security into Your DevOps DNA

GitHub Secrets isn’t just a tool – it’s a mindset shift. By eliminating hardcoded credentials, you:

• Prevent costly data breaches
• Simplify compliance (GDPR, HIPAA, etc.)
• Enable safer team collaboration

👉 Your Next Step: Audit your repositories today using GitHub’s secret-scanning feature!

Hardcoded API Keys: Why They’re a Hacker’s Goldmine & How to Secure Yours

GitHub Dorks: The Not-So-Secret Treasure Map

If you haven’t heard of GitHub dorks, congratulations, you’re probably still paying for your own API usage. A GitHub dork is just a fancy way of saying smart search queries that help dig up juicy secrets in public repositories. With a simple search like:

"AWS_ACCESS_KEY_ID" OR "AWS_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY" extension:env

or

"API_KEY" filetype:json

Boom. Instant access to someone’s exposed API credentials. AWS, Google Cloud, Stripe, OpenAI—you name it, someone has definitely hardcoded it somewhere. And once these keys are out there? Well, let’s just say things can get very, very interesting. 🚀

Why Hardcoding API Keys Is a Disaster Waiting to Happen

You might be thinking, “Okay, but who’s really looking for my key? It’s just a tiny side project.” That’s the kind of thinking that gets you surprise AWS bills in the thousands. 😅 Here’s why hardcoding API keys is a terrible idea:

• 🔓 Public means PUBLIC – If your repo is public, anyone can see your code. No exceptions.
• 🛠 Bots are watching – Automated bots constantly scan GitHub for leaked keys. It’s not just humans hunting for them.
• 💰 Unexpected charges – Left an AWS key exposed? Get ready for a free crypto mining operation on your dime.
• 🚪 Unauthorized access – API keys can grant full access to services, databases, and even cloud servers. Not great if you like having control over your stuff.

How to Stop Leaking API Keys Like a Rookie

Okay, enough roasting. Here’s how you can fix this and make sure your API keys stay private where they belong:

1. Use Environment Variables 🌍

Instead of hardcoding API keys in your code, store them in an .env file and load them dynamically.

import os
from dotenv import load_dotenv

load_dotenv()
API_KEY = os.getenv("API_KEY")

2. Add .env to .gitignore 🚫

The biggest mistake people make? Forgetting to tell Git to ignore their .env file. Just add this line to your .gitignore file:

.env

And boom, your secrets are safe from accidental commits.

3. Use Secret Managers 🔑

For production environments, hardcoding API keys is even worse. Instead, use a secret manager:

• AWS Secrets Manager
• Google Cloud Secret Manager
• HashiCorp Vault
• Even GitHub’s own Encrypted Secrets!

4. Revoke and Rotate Keys Regularly 🔄

If you ever leak a key (or suspect you did), don’t just delete the repo and hope for the best. Immediately:

• ✅ Revoke the key
• ✅ Generate a new one
• ✅ Update all services using the key
• ✅ Learn from your mistake 😅

The Final Word: Don’t Be the Free API Provider

At the end of the day, hardcoded API keys are a hacker’s best friend. They’re free access passes to services you pay for, and if they end up in the wrong hands, you’re in for a rough time.

So, unless you want to sponsor someone else’s cloud bills, take 5 minutes to secure your API keys. Future-you will thank you. 😉

#APIsecurity #GitHubDorks #CyberSecurity #DevOps

Youtube Vanced Troubleshooting: Fix 'The following content is not available on this app' [2024]

YouTube Vanced, a popular modded version of the YouTube app, offers users additional features such as ad-blocking, background playback, and more. However, recent actions by YouTube to ban third-party apps have caused some users to encounter errors during the update process. In this article, we'll explore common update errors encountered by YouTube Vanced users and provide troubleshooting steps to resolve them. Additionally, we'll introduce an alternative, YouTube ReVanced, for users seeking uninterrupted access to enhanced YouTube features.

Understanding the Update Error: Before delving into solutions, it's crucial to understand the impact of YouTube's crackdown on third-party apps. This has resulted in heightened scrutiny and potential issues with updates, including failed downloads, installation errors, or compatibility issues with the device or Android version.

Troubleshooting Steps:

1) Check Internet Connection: Ensure that your device has a stable internet connection. Poor connectivity can lead to interrupted downloads or failed updates. Switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data or connecting to a different network may help resolve the issue.

2) Clear Cache and Data: Sometimes, corrupted cache or data can interfere with the update process. Navigate to your device's settings, then to the "Apps" or "Applications" section. Find YouTube Vanced and select it. Tap on "Storage" and then "Clear Cache" followed by "Clear Data." Restart the app and attempt the update again.

3) Reinstall YouTube Vanced: Uninstalling and reinstalling YouTube Vanced can often resolve update errors. To do this, go to your device's settings, then to "Apps" or "Applications." Find YouTube Vanced, select it, and choose "Uninstall." Afterward, download the latest version of YouTube Vanced from a trusted source and install it anew.

4) Enable Unknown Sources: If you're installing YouTube Vanced from an APK file rather than through the official Google Play Store, ensure that your device allows installations from unknown sources. Go to your device's settings, then to "Security" or "Privacy," and enable the option for installing apps from unknown sources. Remember to disable this option after installing the app for security reasons.

5) Check for System Updates: Ensure that your device's operating system is up-to-date. Outdated system software can sometimes cause compatibility issues with apps like YouTube Vanced. Go to your device's settings, then to "System" or "About Phone," and check for any available system updates. If updates are available, download and install them.

6) Verify APK Integrity: If you downloaded YouTube Vanced from a third-party source, ensure that the APK file is genuine and hasn't been tampered with. Downloading from reputable sources reduces the risk of encountering update errors due to corrupted or modified files.

7) Seek Community Support: If you've tried the above steps and are still experiencing update errors, consider seeking help from the YouTube Vanced community. Online forums, social media groups, or Reddit communities dedicated to YouTube Vanced often have knowledgeable members who can provide guidance and assistance.

8) Install YouTube ReVanced: YouTube ReVanced is an alternative modded version of the YouTube app that offers similar features to YouTube Vanced. Consider installing YouTube ReVanced if you continue to encounter update errors with YouTube Vanced. You can find YouTube ReVanced from trusted sources online. Follow the same installation steps as with YouTube Vanced.

To install YouTube ReVanced, follow these steps:

1. Install MicroG ReVanced: Begin by downloading MicroG ReVanced from the official website: MicroG ReVanced. 

   Once downloaded, open the APK file and follow the on-screen instructions to install it on your device. MicroG ReVanced is necessary to enable features like account sign-in and background playback in YouTube ReVanced.

2. Uninstall old MicroG: If you have an older version of MicroG installed on your device, it's essential to uninstall it before proceeding with MicroG ReVanced installation. To uninstall the old MicroG, go to your device's settings, navigate to the "Apps" or "Applications" section, find the old MicroG app, and select "Uninstall."

3. Install ReVanced Manager: Next, download ReVanced Manager from the official website: ReVanced Manager. 

   Once downloaded, open the APK file and follow the installation instructions. ReVanced Manager serves as a hub for managing updates and configurations for YouTube ReVanced.

    

   If your are still facing any issue, please comment below.
   

    
   

Unlocking Cybersecurity Brilliance with PortSwigger Labs

 

PortSwigger Labs is a leading platform for cybersecurity training and assessment, offering a range of hands-on learning experiences and tools for individuals and organizations. In this article, we will explore what PortSwigger Labs is, how to use it, how it can help improve your cybersecurity skills, and some of its notable features.

 

What is PortSwigger Labs?

PortSwigger Labs is an online platform that provides a hands-on, interactive environment for learning and practicing cybersecurity skills. It offers a comprehensive suite of tools and resources that allow users to explore and understand real-world web application vulnerabilities, helping them develop practical expertise in the field. With a focus on learning through practical experience, PortSwigger Labs enables individuals to enhance their understanding of the latest attack techniques and develop effective defense strategies.

 

How to Use PortSwigger Labs:

1. Sign-up and Access: Start by signing up for an account on the PortSwigger Labs website. There are both free and paid options available, each offering different levels of access and features. Once registered, you can access the platform through your web browser.

2. Engage in Vulnerable Labs: PortSwigger Labs provides a range of deliberately vulnerable web applications, known as "labs." These labs simulate real-world scenarios and allow you to practice identifying and exploiting common web vulnerabilities. Start by selecting a lab that matches your skill level and interests.

3. Learn from Tutorials and Documentation: PortSwigger Labs offers comprehensive tutorials and documentation to guide you through various topics, such as the basics of web vulnerabilities, specific techniques, and best practices for mitigation. Take advantage of these resources to deepen your understanding.

4. Use Burp Suite: PortSwigger Labs integrates with the popular web application security testing tool, Burp Suite. Make sure to familiarize yourself with this tool and utilize its functionalities to identify and address vulnerabilities effectively.

 

Improving Your Cybersecurity Skills with PortSwigger Labs:

1. Hands-on Practice: PortSwigger Labs provides a practical environment where you can gain hands-on experience by exploring real vulnerabilities. This interactive approach allows you to test your skills, learn from your mistakes, and develop effective strategies to secure web applications.

2. Real-world Simulations: The labs on PortSwigger Labs are designed to mimic real-world scenarios, providing you with valuable real-world experience. By working on these simulations, you can better understand how different attack techniques work and how to defend against them.

3. Stay Updated on the Latest Threats: PortSwigger Labs regularly updates its labs to reflect new vulnerabilities and attack techniques. By participating in their platform, you can stay up to date with the latest cybersecurity trends and enhance your skills to match evolving threats.

 

Notable Features of PortSwigger Labs:

1. Range of Lab Environments: PortSwigger Labs offers a variety of lab environments, catering to different skill levels and areas of interest, including web security, mobile security, and more.

2. Interactive Learning: PortSwigger Labs emphasizes hands-on, interactive learning, enabling you to actively engage with the material and develop practical skills.

3. Community Engagement: PortSwigger Labs provides a platform for users to connect and engage with a vibrant community of cybersecurity enthusiasts and professionals. This can offer opportunities for collaboration, sharing knowledge, and seeking guidance.

4. Integration with Burp Suite: PortSwigger Labs seamlessly integrates with Burp Suite, a powerful web security tool that enhances your testing capabilities and facilitates the identification of vulnerabilities.

PortSwigger Labs is a valuable platform for individuals seeking to improve their cybersecurity skills. Its hands-on approach, interactive learning environments, and comprehensive tools allow users to gain practical experience in identifying and addressing web application vulnerabilities. By utilizing PortSwigger Labs, you can enhance your knowledge, stay ahead of emerging threats, and strengthen your cybersecurity capabilities.

DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH): Empowering Users with Secure and Private Web Surfing

 

In the world of internet communication, the Domain Name System (DNS) plays a crucial role in translating human-readable domain names into their respective IP addresses. DNS queries have traditionally been sent over plain text protocols, making them vulnerable to eavesdropping, data manipulation, and even censorship. To address these concerns, a new protocol called DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH) has emerged, revolutionizing the way we interact with the DNS system. In this blog post, we will delve into the intricacies of DoH, exploring its benefits, implementation, and impact on privacy and security.

 

Understanding the Basics of DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH)

DNS-over-HTTPS is a protocol that allows DNS queries and responses to be transmitted over an encrypted HTTPS connection, the same secure protocol used by websites to transmit sensitive data. By encapsulating DNS traffic within HTTPS, DoH ensures that DNS requests and their corresponding responses are protected from interception and manipulation by malicious actors.

 

Benefits of DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH)

• Enhanced Privacy: One of the primary advantages of DoH is its ability to enhance user privacy. Since DNS queries are encrypted within the HTTPS connection, ISPs, governments, and other third parties cannot inspect or log the content of DNS traffic. This prevents them from monitoring users' browsing habits or using DNS data for targeted advertising.

• Security Against Tampering: DoH mitigates the risk of DNS spoofing and manipulation. With DoH, DNS requests are transmitted directly to trusted DNS resolvers over an encrypted channel, minimizing the chances of a malicious actor tampering with DNS responses. This strengthens the security of internet communications and protects users from various attacks, such as DNS cache poisoning.

• Overcoming Censorship: DoH can help bypass DNS-based censorship imposed by certain ISPs or governments. By encapsulating DNS queries within HTTPS, it becomes challenging for these entities to selectively block or manipulate specific DNS requests, ensuring users have unrestricted access to the internet.
  

 

Implementing DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH)

• Client-Side Implementation: To use DoH, users need to configure their devices or applications to utilize a DNS resolver that supports DoH. Popular web browsers, such as Firefox and Chrome, have built-in support for DoH, allowing users to enable it within their settings. Additionally, various DoH client software and libraries are available for different operating systems and platforms.

• Server-Side Implementation: For organizations or DNS resolver operators, implementing DoH requires deploying a DoH server that listens for HTTPS connections and forwards DNS queries to appropriate DNS resolvers. Several open-source DoH server implementations are available, making it easier to adopt this protocol and provide secure DNS resolution to users.

 

Considerations and Challenges

• Performance Overhead: Implementing DoH introduces additional overhead due to the encryption and encapsulation process. While this can potentially impact DNS resolution speed, optimizations, such as DNS caching and smart routing, can help mitigate the performance impact.

• Compatibility: Not all DNS resolvers support DoH, and not all clients have native DoH support. Compatibility issues may arise when deploying DoH, necessitating a comprehensive evaluation of the DNS ecosystem and ensuring a seamless transition for users.

 

Future of DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH)

DoH has gained significant traction in recent years, with major browsers adopting it as a default option or making it easily accessible to users. As the internet evolves, we can expect wider adoption of DoH, leading to increased privacy and security for internet users worldwide. Efforts are also underway to standardize DoH and ensure interoperability across different