What is the term for when false information is inserted into a DNS name server's cache?

The term for when false information is inserted into a DNS name server's cache is DNS Cache Poisoning. This process involves corrupting the cache data, which leads to users being directed to malicious websites instead of the intended ones. By poisoning the DNS cache, attackers can manipulate the name resolution process, causing legitimate domain names to resolve to incorrect IP addresses.

Understanding this mechanism is crucial because it highlights the vulnerabilities within the Domain Name System (DNS), which is foundational to internet functionality. Once the cache is poisoned, all queries made by users for the affected domain will receive the incorrect response, potentially leading to data theft or malware infections.

The other concepts mentioned, such as DNS Hijacking and DNS Spoofing, relate to similar forms of attack but do not specifically describe the act of inserting false information into a DNS cache. DNS Hijacking typically refers to redirecting traffic by compromising the DNS settings of the victim or registrar, while DNS Spoofing usually implies impersonating a DNS server to provide bogus responses. However, the precise act of altering cached entries specifically aligns with the definition of DNS Cache Poisoning.