Check whether your domain’s DNS responses are authenticated with DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extensions). Enter a domain name to test its DNSSEC validation status, identify possible configuration problems, and understand what the results mean.
Our free DNSSEC Validation Checker uses a validating DNS resolver to assess DNS authentication. It supports public domains, including .com, .net, .org, and .pk domains.
DNSSEC Validation Checker
See whether a validating DNS resolver authenticates the answer for your domain.
What the results mean
- DNSSEC-authenticated answer
- The resolver reports that it authenticated the returned DNS response. It does not mean the website's content or HTTPS certificate is safe.
- Answer not DNSSEC-authenticated
- A DNS response was returned, but the resolver did not mark it as authenticated. It may be unsigned or lack a verifiable chain of trust.
- Possible DNSSEC validation failure
- The resolver rejected an answer during normal checking, but returned data when validation was disabled. Inspect DNSKEY, DS, signatures, and delegation settings with your DNS provider.
How the check works
The website's server queries Cloudflare's DNS-over-HTTPS resolver for A, AAAA, or NS records and checks the authenticated-data flag. The check is performed by the validating resolver, not independently by your browser or our PHP code. Results may be cached for up to five minutes.
Privacy and limitations
Your domain is sent to this website's server, which forwards it to Cloudflare's public DNS resolver. This tool applies temporary request limits and cache entries. Normal website and resolver logging policies may also apply. Results reflect one resolver at one time, not all DNS servers or your own internet provider's resolver.
What Is DNSSEC?
DNSSEC stands for Domain Name System Security Extensions. It adds cryptographic authentication to DNS responses, helping a validating resolver determine whether DNS information is authentic and has been altered.
Normally, DNS translates a domain name such as example.com into an IP address that computers use to connect to a server. DNSSEC adds a way to verify the authenticity and integrity of the DNS data returned during this process.
DNSSEC helps protect against certain DNS spoofing and cache-poisoning attacks. However, it does not encrypt DNS queries, secure website content, or replace HTTPS.
How to Check DNSSEC Validation
You can check a domain’s DNSSEC authentication status in three steps:
- Enter your domain name. Type a public domain such as
example.comorexample.com.pk. Do not includehttps://, a page path, or a port number. - Click Validate DNSSEC. The tool sends a DNS request through the website’s server to Cloudflare’s validating DNS resolver.
- Review the results. Check the authentication status, DNS response code, queried record type, and any returned DNS records.
The checker can identify a DNSSEC-authenticated answer, an unauthenticated answer, a possible validation failure, or another DNS lookup problem.
Understanding Your DNSSEC Check Results
| Result | What It Means |
|---|---|
| DNSSEC-authenticated answer | The validating resolver reports that it authenticated the DNS response. |
| Answer not DNSSEC-authenticated | Records were returned, but the resolver did not mark the answer as authenticated. |
| Possible DNSSEC validation failure | Normal validation failed, but records were returned when DNSSEC checking was disabled. Further investigation is needed. |
| DNS lookup failed | The resolver returned an error, which may or may not involve DNSSEC. |
| Authenticated name-not-found response | The resolver authenticated a response indicating that the queried name does not exist. |
| No authenticated DNS answer found | No positive authenticated answer was confirmed for the record types checked. |
A successful DNS lookup does not automatically mean that DNSSEC validation succeeded. Likewise, an unauthenticated answer does not necessarily indicate an attack.
Why Is DNSSEC Important?
DNSSEC helps strengthen the trustworthiness of the DNS information used to locate websites and online services.
Without DNSSEC validation, some DNS responses may be vulnerable to manipulation. An attacker who successfully poisons a DNS cache, for example, might cause a user to receive an incorrect IP address.
DNSSEC uses digital signatures and a chain of trust to help validating resolvers reject DNS data that fails authentication.
For website owners, successful DNSSEC validation can add an important layer of DNS protection. It is particularly relevant for websites handling sensitive transactions, user accounts, or business communications.
DNSSEC is one part of website security. HTTPS, secure hosting, software updates, and appropriate account protection remain necessary.
How to Fix DNSSEC Validation Problems
If the checker reports a possible DNSSEC validation failure, investigate the configuration before changing DNS records.
1. Check DNSSEC at Your DNS Provider
Sign in to the DNS service responsible for your domain’s authoritative DNS records.
Look for DNSSEC settings and confirm whether signing is enabled and properly configured.
DNSSEC management options vary between hosting companies and DNS providers.
2. Verify Your DS Record
A DS (Delegation Signer) record helps connect a signed domain to the DNSSEC chain of trust.
Check whether the DS record published through your domain registrar matches the DNSSEC information supplied by your authoritative DNS provider.
An outdated or mismatched DS record may cause validating resolvers to reject responses.
3. Check DNSKEY and RRSIG Records
DNSKEY records contain public keys used in DNSSEC verification. RRSIG records hold digital signatures for DNS record sets.
An invalid, missing, or expired signature can prevent successful DNSSEC validation.
The NetTools Pakistan checker does not display a full DNSKEY or signature-chain analysis. Use your DNS provider’s diagnostic tools or a dedicated DNSSEC analysis service for a detailed investigation.
4. Review Recent Nameserver Changes
DNSSEC problems sometimes occur after switching DNS hosting providers or changing authoritative nameservers.
For example, a registrar may still have DNSSEC information associated with the previous provider.
Coordinate DNSSEC changes with your registrar and DNS provider. Removing or replacing records in the wrong order can interrupt domain resolution.
5. Retest After Corrections
After correcting the configuration, run another check.
DNS caching may temporarily affect results. This checker also caches some results for up to five minutes.
If errors continue, contact your DNS provider or registrar with the domain name, error message, and relevant DNS record details.
DNSSEC vs HTTPS: What’s the Difference?
DNSSEC and HTTPS protect different parts of an internet connection.
DNSSEC authenticates DNS information, helping a validating resolver verify that the DNS response is trustworthy.
HTTPS uses TLS to protect communications between a browser and a website, including encryption and server authentication.
A website can use HTTPS without DNSSEC, or DNSSEC without HTTPS. Using both provides complementary protections, but neither guarantees that a website is free from malicious content.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every domain support DNSSEC?
DNSSEC availability depends on the domain’s registry, registrar, and authoritative DNS service. A domain can resolve normally without DNSSEC protection.
Can I check DNSSEC for a .pk domain?
Yes. You can enter a publicly resolvable .pk domain into the checker. Whether its responses are authenticated depends on its actual DNSSEC configuration and chain of trust.
What does the AD flag mean?
AD stands for Authenticated Data. When a trusted validating resolver sets this flag, it indicates that the DNS response was authenticated according to that resolver’s validation process.
Does DNSSEC improve internet speed?
DNSSEC is a DNS security mechanism, not an internet speed optimization tool. It does not increase your subscribed broadband speed or directly improve download and upload performance.
Is a domain unsafe if DNSSEC is not enabled?
Not necessarily. An unsigned domain can still use HTTPS and other security measures. DNSSEC provides additional protection for DNS authentication rather than a complete assessment of website safety.
About This DNSSEC Checker
NetTools Pakistan uses Cloudflare’s public DNS-over-HTTPS resolver for this tool. The website’s server sends the entered domain to that resolver and interprets the returned DNS authentication information.
This is a resolver-based check, not independent cryptographic verification performed by your browser or the WordPress plugin. It does not test your own ISP’s DNS resolver or prove that every resolver worldwide returns the same result.
The domain you enter is processed by the NetTools Pakistan website server and forwarded to Cloudflare. Temporary caching and request limits apply. Normal website and resolver logging practices may also apply.
NetTools Pakistan is an independent internet connectivity information website and is not affiliated with PTCL, PTA, or Cloudflare.
For technical guidance, see Cloudflare’s DNSSEC troubleshooting documentation and the DNSSEC protocol specification, RFC 4035.