2024
The Domain Name System (DNS) is a hierarchical and distributed naming system for computers, services and other resources on the Internet. It associates information with domain names and translates memorable names into the numerical IP addresses needed to locate and identify computer services and devices. DNS has been an essential component of the Internet since 1985.
Domain Name System resolvers can erroneously perform DNS lookups associated with private-use IP addresses, generating undesirable Internet traffic. To combat this, “black hole” or “sinkhole” DNS servers capture this traffic and reduce the load of DNS lookups.
Using terminal commands, I sent myself to one of the two black holes operated by the IANA, the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority. Once using the
dig command, which sent my domain, malteoing.de, to the two endpoints, and once using the traceroute command, which documents the exact route from the starting point to the black hole. The black holes are located in Indianapolis, Indiana.
