KSK
/ˌkeɪ-ɛs-ˈkeɪ/
n. “The master key that vouches for all zone signatures in DNSSEC.”
KSK, short for Key Signing Key, is a cryptographic key used in DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extensions) to sign the Zone Signing Keys (ZSKs) of a DNS zone. Unlike the ZSK, which signs individual DNS records, the KSK signs the keys themselves, creating a trust chain that allows resolvers to verify the authenticity of the DNS data.
ZSK
/ˌziː-ɛs-ˈkeɪ/
n. “The key that signs your DNS zone like a digital seal.”
ZSK, short for Zone Signing Key, is a cryptographic key used in DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extensions) to digitally sign the records within a DNS zone. It ensures the integrity and authenticity of the DNS data, allowing resolvers to verify that the information has not been tampered with.
Key characteristics of a ZSK include:
NSEC3
/ˈɛn-ɛs-siː-θriː/
n. “Proof of nothing — without revealing the map.”
NSEC3 is a record type in DNSSEC designed to provide authenticated denial of existence while mitigating the privacy concern inherent in the original NSEC records. Unlike NSEC, which directly reveals the next valid domain name in a zone, NSEC3 hashes domain names so that the zone structure cannot be trivially enumerated, making it more resistant to zone-walking attacks.
NSEC
/ˈɛn-ɛs-siː/
n. “Proof of nothing — and everything in between.”
NSEC, short for Next Secure, is a record type used in DNSSEC to provide authenticated denial of existence. In plain terms, it proves that a queried DNS record does not exist while maintaining cryptographic integrity. When a resolver asks for a domain or record that isn’t present, NSEC ensures that the response cannot be forged or tampered with by an attacker.
DS
/ˈdiː-ɛs/
n. “The chain that links the trust.”
DS, short for Delegation Signer, is a special type of DNS record used in DNSSEC to create a secure chain of trust between a parent zone and a child zone. It essentially tells resolvers: “The key in the child zone is legitimate, signed by authority, and you can trust it.”
RRSIG
/ˈɑːr-ɑːr-sɪɡ/
n. “Signed. Sealed. Verifiable.”
RRSIG, short for Resource Record Signature, is a record type used by DNSSEC to cryptographically sign DNS data. It is the proof attached to an answer — evidence that a DNS record is authentic, unmodified, and published by the rightful owner of the zone.
DNSKEY
/ˈdiː-ɛn-ɛs-kiː/
n. “This is the key — literally.”
DNSKEY is a record type used by DNSSEC to publish the public cryptographic keys for a DNS zone. It is the anchor point for trust inside a signed domain. Without it, nothing can be verified, and every signature becomes meaningless noise.
DNSSEC
/ˈdiː-ɛn-ɛs-sɛk/
n. “Proves the answer wasn’t forged.”
DNSSEC, short for Domain Name System Security Extensions, is a set of cryptographic mechanisms designed to protect the DNS from lying to you. Not from spying. Not from tracking. From quietly, efficiently, and convincingly giving you the wrong answer.
TLD
/ˌtiː-ɛl-ˈdiː/
n. “The suffix that tells the world who you are.”
TLD, short for Top-Level Domain, is the last segment of a domain name in the Domain Name System (DNS), appearing after the final dot. It represents the highest level in the hierarchical DNS structure and helps categorize domains by type, purpose, or geography. Common examples include .com, .org, .net, and country codes like .us or .jp.
FQDN
/ˌɛf-ˌkjuː-di-ˈɛn/
n. “Every hostname deserves its full name.”
FQDN, short for Fully Qualified Domain Name, is the complete, absolute address of a host on the Internet. It specifies the exact location within the Domain Name System (DNS) hierarchy, ensuring that every computer, server, or service can be uniquely identified and reached without ambiguity.