# 😷Why MikroTik’s DNS Service is a Disaster | Insecure, Unreliable, & a DDOS Nightmare🎭

MikroTik routers might be popular among small businesses and ISPs due to their affordability, but when it comes to **DNS services**, they are nothing short of a **disaster**.

From **security flaws** to **poor performance**, MikroTik's built-in DNS resolver has been at the centre of some of the **biggest DDoS attacks in history**. If you’re relying on MikroTik for DNS resolution, **you’re not just making a mistake—you’re putting your network at risk**.

Let’s break down why **MikroTik DNS is not up to scratch**, why it’s **insecure**, and why **a proper SD-WAN solution like** [**Fusion’s**](https://fusionsdwan.co.za/) **is the right choice instead**.

---

## **1\. MikroTik DNS is a Security Risk**

One of the biggest concerns with MikroTik’s DNS is its **horrendous security track record**.

🔴 **MikroTik routers have been exploited in some of the worst DDoS attacks in history.**  
🔴 **Open resolvers on MikroTik routers have been hijacked to amplify DNS-based DDoS attacks.**  
🔴 **Their DNS implementation lacks modern security features like DNSSEC validation by default.**

MikroTik routers have been found **wide open on the internet**, acting as **massive attack vectors** for cybercriminals. Once compromised, they are used for:

* **DNS amplification attacks**
    
* **Botnet propagation**
    
* **Man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks**
    

If you’re running a MikroTik router **without locking down its DNS properly**, you’re **essentially providing free ammunition for hackers**.

---

## **2\. Performance Issues & Lack of Reliability**

Even if we **ignore the security risks** (which you shouldn't), **MikroTik’s DNS is just plain unreliable**.

🚨 **Slow DNS resolution** – Query performance is inconsistent and lags compared to standard DNS resolvers.  
🚨 **Poor caching implementation** – The MikroTik DNS cache **doesn't always refresh properly**, leading to stale records and connection issues.  
🚨 **Frequent DNS failures** – Many users experience **random DNS resolution failures**, forcing manual reboots.

For a **small business**, unreliable DNS means:  
⚠ **Delayed website loading**  
⚠ **Problems with cloud services**  
⚠ **VoIP call quality drops**

For an **ISP or large network**, it means **outright disaster**—with customers experiencing slow browsing, failed lookups, and endless support calls.

Compare that to **a proper SD-WAN solution like Fusion’s**, which uses **DNSMASQ** with multiple upstream resolvers for rock-solid DNS reliability.

---

## **3\. The Root Cause of Some of the Biggest DDoS Attacks in History**

MikroTik’s poor security practices have **led to some of the most devastating cyberattacks ever seen**.

### **Example | The 1.3 Tbps DDoS Attack (One of the Largest Ever)**

* Attackers **exploited MikroTik routers** left open with weak DNS configurations.
    
* These devices were used for **massive DNS amplification attacks** against major targets.
    
* Result? **One of the biggest DDoS attacks in history, causing widespread outages**.
    

And this isn’t a one-time thing. MikroTik routers have been **continuously exploited** in **multiple large-scale attacks**.

### **Why is MikroTik so vulnerable?**

🔻 Many users **don’t lock down the router properly**, leaving the DNS open to abuse.  
🔻 Even when secured, **MikroTik firmware updates often reintroduce vulnerabilities**.  
🔻 MikroTik **fails to implement proper security defaults**, making it an easy target.

If a vendor’s product has been used in **multiple major cyberattacks**, **do you really trust it to run your network’s DNS?**

---

## **4\. Why You Should Ditch MikroTik DNS for Fusion’s SD-WAN**

If you actually care about:  
✅ **Security**  
✅ **Reliability**  
✅ **Performance**

… then **MikroTik’s DNS is NOT the solution.**

Instead, [**Fusion’s SD-WAN**](https://fusionsdwan.co.za/) **implements DNS properly**:

* Uses **DNSMASQ** for efficient DNS resolution.
    
* Configured with **multiple upstream resolvers** (Quad9, Cloudflare, OpenDNS).
    
* Uses **all-servers mode**, ensuring **the fastest and most reliable name resolution**.
    
* **Completely secure**—no open resolvers, no hijacking risks.
    

---

## **Wrapping up | Avoid MikroTik’s DNS at All Costs**

MikroTik might be a cheap option, but when it comes to **DNS services**, it’s simply **not fit for purpose**.

❌ **Insecure** – A massive attack vector for DDoS abuse.  
❌ **Unreliable** – Slow resolution, stale caching, and frequent failures.  
❌ **Widely exploited** – Has been at the centre of **some of the biggest cyberattacks in history**.

If you’re serious about **secure, reliable DNS**, **ditch MikroTik and use a proper SD-WAN solution**. **Fusion’s SD-WAN ensures rock-solid DNS performance**—no exploits, no downtime, just **seamless connectivity**.