DNS Records

However, the DNS does not only link computer names and IP addresses. It also stores and outputs additional information about the services associated with a domain. A DNS query can therefore also be used, for example, to determine which computer serves as the e-mail server for the domain in question or what the domain's name servers are called.

Different DNS records are used for the DNS queries, which all have various tasks. Moreover, separate entries exist for different functions since we can set up mail servers and other servers for a domain.

DNS Record	Description
A	Returns an IPv4 address of the requested domain as a result.
AAAA	Returns an IPv6 address of the requested domain.
MX	Returns the responsible mail servers as a result.
NS	Returns the DNS servers (nameservers) of the domain.
TXT	This record can contain various information. The all-rounder can be used, e.g., to validate the Google Search Console or validate SSL certificates. In addition, SPF and DMARC entries are set to validate mail traffic and protect it from spam.
CNAME	This record serves as an alias for another domain name. If you want the domain www.hackthebox.eu to point to the same IP as hackthebox.eu, you would create an A record for hackthebox.eu and a CNAME record for www.hackthebox.eu.
PTR	The PTR record works the other way around (reverse lookup). It converts IP addresses into valid domain names.
SOA	Provides information about the corresponding DNS zone and email address of the administrative contact.

The SOA record is located in a domain's zone file and specifies who is responsible for the operation of the domain and how DNS information for the domain is managed.