It refers to domains that frequently fluctuate between being reachable and unreachable at the DNS level. This instability is often observed in malicious infrastructures that leverage short-lived servers, disposable IPs, or fast-flux techniques to evade detection and takedowns.
Three questions every analyst asks before acting on this signal.
It refers to domains that frequently fluctuate between being reachable and unreachable at the DNS level. This instability is often observed in malicious infrastructures that leverage short-lived servers, disposable IPs, or fast-flux techniques to evade detection and takedowns.
Consistent DNS volatility suggests intentional evasion tactics. Threat actors often disable domains during inactive phases to reduce detection probability or reputation scoring. This 'on-demand activation' behavior is commonly linked with phishing, C2 communication, and malware hosting domains.
Yes, certain legitimate services—such as testing environments, dynamic DNS setups, or development instances—may also show instability. However, when frequent DNS state changes align with malicious indicators (like abnormal TTL values or blacklisted IP usage), it strongly supports a malicious classification.
A realistic shape of the entry the engine appends to the risk_signals array when this signal fires. Evidence keys are subgroup-default; per-signal overrides documented in the API reference.
{
"slug": "ip_often_up_and_down",
"name": "Non-Stable Domain",
"group": "dns_history",
"subgroup": "ip_stability_retention",
"direction": "malicious",
"evidence": {
"current_ip_lifespan_days": 612,
"median_ip_lifespan_days": 540,
"ip_churn_30d": 1,
"last_ip_change_days_ago": 612
}
}7 other signals share the same subgroup. They detect related behaviors and often co-fire on the same IOC.
It means the domain operates on an IP address that is not shared with any other unrelated domains. This indicates a dedi…
It indicates that the domain has maintained the same IP address or hosting infrastructure for an extended period—weeks, …
These refer to domains that have consistently resolved through DNS over a long period. Long-lived DNS activity often ind…
It refers to domains that have not been active or resolvable through DNS for an extended period. Dead domains often indi…
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