# DNSMonitor

> command-line tool for macOS by Objective-See

**Wikidata**: [Q125475421](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q125475421)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/dnsmonitor

## Summary
DNSMonitor is a free, open-source command-line tool for macOS developed by the non-profit organization Objective-See. As a utility software, it is designed to monitor DNS activity on a user's system. The tool is written in Objective-C and its source code is available under the GNU General Public License, version 3.0.

## Key Facts
- **Developer:** Objective-See, a non-profit software organization.
- **Platform:** macOS
- **Type:** Command-line tool, utility software, free software
- **License:** GNU General Public License, version 3.0
- **Latest Stable Version:** 1.3.0, released on August 20, 2024.
- **Programming Language:** Objective-C
- **Source Code:** Available on GitHub at `https://github.com/objective-see/DNSMonitor`.
- **Core Technology:** Utilizes Apple's Network Extension framework.

## FAQs
### Q: What is DNSMonitor?
A: DNSMonitor is a free command-line utility for the macOS operating system. It is developed by the non-profit Objective-See to monitor DNS lookups occurring on a Mac.

### Q: Is DNSMonitor free to use?
A: Yes, DNSMonitor is free software. It is distributed under the terms of the GNU General Public License (GPL), version 3.0, which allows users to freely run, study, change, and distribute the software.

### Q: Who develops DNSMonitor?
A: DNSMonitor is developed and maintained by Objective-See, a non-profit organization founded in 2015 that specializes in creating free, open-source security tools for macOS.

## Why It Matters
DNSMonitor provides a crucial, accessible tool for enhancing security and privacy on macOS. By monitoring DNS requests, users, IT administrators, and security researchers can gain visibility into the network communications of all applications running on a system. This is significant because malware, adware, and spyware often reveal their presence through the domains they attempt to contact for command-and-control or data exfiltration.

As a free and open-source tool from a non-profit organization, DNSMonitor offers a trustworthy solution without commercial interests. Its command-line interface makes it powerful for scripting and integration into larger security workflows, allowing for automated threat detection and analysis. By leveraging native macOS technologies like the Network Extension framework, it provides a modern and efficient way to inspect network traffic that might otherwise go unnoticed, empowering users to take control of their system's security.

## Notable For
- **Non-Profit Development:** The tool is created and maintained by Objective-See, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing free security software for the macOS community.
- **Open-Source Transparency:** DNSMonitor is fully open-source with its code hosted on GitHub, allowing for public review and verification of its functionality and security.
- **macOS Native Integration:** It is built specifically for macOS and utilizes the modern Network Extension framework, ensuring efficient and stable operation within the operating system.
- **Command-Line Focus:** As a command-line tool, it is designed for technical users, system administrators, and researchers who require a scriptable and automatable utility for network monitoring.

## Body
### Overview and Purpose
DNSMonitor is a utility software for the macOS operating system. It functions as a command-line tool, also known by the alias "DNS Monitor." The tool is designed to provide users with visibility into the Domain Name System (DNS) queries made by their computer. It is classified as free software.

### Development and Licensing
DNSMonitor is developed by Objective-See, a US-based non-profit organization. The software is written in the Objective-C programming language.
- **License:** The tool is copyrighted and distributed under the GNU General Public License, version 3.0.
- **Source Code:** The complete source code is publicly available in a GitHub repository at `https://github.com/objective-see/DNSMonitor`.

### Technical Specifications
- **Operating System:** DNSMonitor is built exclusively to run on macOS.
- **Frameworks:** The tool utilizes Apple's Network Extension framework to perform its monitoring functions.

### Version History
The software has had several stable releases. The latest preferred version is 1.3.0.
- **v1.0.0:** Released August 15, 2023
- **v1.0.1:** Released November 8, 2023
- **v1.1.0:** Released April 10, 2024
- **v1.1.1:** Released April 11, 2024
- **v1.2.0:** Released May 5, 2024
- **v1.3.0:** Released August 20, 2024

## References

1. [Source](https://github.com/objective-see/DNSMonitor/blob/main/LICENSE)
2. [Release 1.0.0. 2023](https://github.com/objective-see/DNSMonitor/releases/tag/v1.0.0)
3. [Release 1.0.1. 2023](https://github.com/objective-see/DNSMonitor/releases/tag/v1.0.1)
4. [Release 1.1.0. 2024](https://github.com/objective-see/DNSMonitor/releases/tag/v1.1.0)
5. [Release 1.1.1. 2024](https://github.com/objective-see/DNSMonitor/releases/tag/v1.1.1)
6. [Release 1.2.0. 2024](https://github.com/objective-see/DNSMonitor/releases/tag/v1.2.0)
7. [Release 1.3.0. 2024](https://github.com/objective-see/DNSMonitor/releases/tag/v1.3.0)