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SecureDNS Agent Release Notes

About

The release notes contain information about new product features, improvements, known issues, and bug fixes. For comprehensive details and guidance, please carefully review the notes below and refer to the Secure DNS agent documentation to avoid configuration difficulties.

Version History

Version 2.3.9

New Features

  • Configurable Interface for Port 53: Added a configurable interface to accommodate situations where localhost is already using port 53. This option is off by default and can only be enabled by AXS Guard employees.

  • Agent Watchdogs: Implemented watchdogs for the agent. If the agent becomes unresponsive, it will trigger a restart and log the event within 15 minutes.

  • DNS Disruption Detection: The agent now detects when it disrupts DNS functionality. In such cases, an error is logged, and the agent will automatically disable itself for 2 hours.

  • Installer for ARM64: Created an installer specifically for ARM64 Macs (M2-chip).

  • Executable Metadata Versioning: The version number is now included in the executable metadata.

  • Resource Profiling Option: Introduced an option to profile the agent's resource usage if it consumes excessive resources.

  • Enhanced Logging: Improved logging features, including systray logs, repetition of important information during log rotation, and a slow query log.

  • Passthrough DNS Server Selection: If no DNS server is available, Passthrough will no longer default to 8.8.8.8. It will use the server that was originally configured.

  • Faster Status Recovery: The agent will now transition from red to green more quickly after a system reboot or network disruption.

Bug Resolution

  • Network switching is now significantly faster, as indicated by the quicker transition of the icon from red to green.

  • Local DNS Resolution Issues: Resolved issues preventing the agent from utilizing the local DNS to resolve secure DNS servers.

  • Windows Traffic Bug Fix: Fixed a bug in Windows that caused traffic to be sent away from the localhost address, resulting in the icon remaining red and no DNS traffic being directed to the agent.

  • Systray Icon Permissions: Prevented the systray icon from running with root privileges after installation on Linux, as this could potentially be misused to open a notepad with root privileges.

  • System Tray Icon Fix for IPv6: Resolved an issue where the system tray icon would break when IPv6 is disabled. This behavior was not always consistent but could sometimes occur.

  • Minor Bug Fixes and Performance Improvements: Implemented numerous minor bug fixes and enhancements to overall performance.

Version 2.2.5

New Features

  • Enhanced logging capabilities to facilitate easier issue detection and resolution, with most problems now identifiable at normal log level (1).

Bug Resolution

  • Fixed an issue where the agent failed to enable passthrough for certain VPN software, resulting in the inability to resolve internal websites.
  • Addressed a bug where manual changes to DNS settings in Windows were not being detected.
  • Resolved an issue causing poor performance, system hang, or high CPU load under heavy query loads.
  • The agent will now refrain from resetting DNS settings to DHCP mode in case of registration failures.
Version 2.2.2

Bug Resolution

Addressed an issue where the tray icon incorrectly remains green after a network change occurs on protected networks. See the SecureDNS agent status section in the documentation for additional information.

Version 2.2.0

New Features

  • Improved Resolver Speed: We've optimized our DNS resolution process, resulting in faster website loading times and a smoother browsing experience.
  • Smart Server Selection: The DNS agent can now automatically select the nearest DNS server, which significantly improves performance when using unfamiliar networks.

Bug Resolution

  • We've squashed several pesky bugs to keep your DNS agent running smoothly and efficiently.
Version 2.1.0

New Features

  • Brand Customization: The AXS Guard logo and all naming references have been removed from the software.
  • Automatic Server Selection: The agent will automatically detect and switch to the optimal server.
  • VPN Support on Mac: Introduced VPN support specifically for macOS.
  • Robust Recovery: Improved the mechanism to restore the original DNS configuration after a system crash or forceful shutdown.
  • Notification Refinement: Removed the mention of PowerShell in Windows notifications.
  • Process Identification (Windows & Linux only): We have implemented the use of netstat to identify processes causing a filter activation. This feature is currently only available for Windows and Linux. Please note that events are currently not logged to the server.
  • Client-side Notifications: We have implemented the ability to mute client-side notifications related to DNS validation. It's crucial to highlight that muting must be configured exclusively on the server (API) side, enabling the suppression of notifications linked to DNS validation. Additionally, we have introduced the capability to add notifications, providing integrators with greater flexibility in customizing their notification preferences.

Bug Resolution

  • Addressed bugs related to accessing specific DNS addresses, ensuring smoother functionality.
  • We've implemented various performance improvements to enhance the overall user experience, ensuring a more optimized and responsive system.
Version 2.0.0

SecureDNS Agent - Initial Release

We are excited to announce the initial release of the SecureDNS Agent, a robust tool crafted to elevate DNS security and empower organizations with a secure and efficient DNS resolution mechanism.

Key Features:

  • Enhanced DNS Security: The SecureDNS Agent serves as a defense against cybersecurity threats, shielding devices from potential exposure to malware, ransomware, malicious domains, and botnet infrastructures.

  • Proactive Defense: Protects your network and neutralizes potential threats before they can compromise your systems.

  • Efficient DNS Resolution: Provides seamless and efficient DNS resolution, optimizing the performance of your network and ensuring a smooth online experience.

  • Real-time Threat Intelligence: The SecureDNS Agent proactively identifies and blocks malicious activities.

  • User-friendly Interface: The agent boasts an intuitive interface, making it easy for organizations to effectively integrate and manage DNS security.

As we embark on this journey to fortify DNS security, your feedback is invaluable. We look forward to your insights and suggestions to continually enhance the capabilities of the SecureDNS Agent.