Provided are methods, network devices, and computer-program products for a domain name system (DNS) threat detection engine for analyzing DNS traffic for potential threats. In various implementations, the DNS threat detection engine can include threat profiles that include characteristics of network threats associated with DNS. When a DNS message includes a characteristic associated with a particular threat profile, a remediation rule associated with the threat profile can be used to modify the DNS message, including modifying the destination for the DNS message. When the DNS message is received at the new destination, the DNS message can be analyzed to determine whether the DNS message is associated with a threat to the network.