What is a potential security risk of using the same machines for DNS and other applications?

• A. Reduced performance.
• B. Increased vulnerability to attacks that could compromise both services.
• C. Better reliability.
• D. No impact.

Answer: (B)

Sharing the same machine for DNS and other applications creates a single point of security exposure. If an attacker compromises any service on that host or if the host is breached, they can often gain access to the DNS service as well—its processes, configuration, and zone data—and use that foothold to alter DNS records, leak sensitive information, or redirect traffic. This cross-service access raises the risk that a compromise in one application can spill over to DNS, expanding the attacker’s reach. Keeping DNS on a separate machine confines any breach to that host and reduces the potential impact on other services. The other options describe performance, reliability, or no impact rather than the security risk of shared hosting.