Written by: Jake Harfield Posted on: in: Computer Tips
If you’re concerned about your online privacy, private DNS can help. It lets you send network data to a custom, secure DNS server and encrypt those queries. Here’s how it works and how to set it up.
What Is DNS?
Before we look at private DNS, we should do a brief review of DNS itself.
The Domain Name System (DNS) converts human-friendly web addresses into the IP addresses computers use to communicate.
Generally, a DNS server will perform the translation from URL to IP. This process is called a DNS transaction, and these occur every time you visit a website, use particular applications, or communicate over specific platforms.
These transactions, like the domain names, are unencrypted. This means that operators and others can easily see and log them, which can be problematic when the information is a security or privacy risk. There aren’t any privacy mechanisms to protect the transactions’ confidentiality.
Further, it can make you susceptible to particular forms of malicious cyberattacks (like man-in-the-middle attacks).
What Is Private DNS Mode?
Private DNS uses a different protocol called DNS over TLS (Transport Layer Security) and Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) to encrypt any DNS queries sent out. DNS used over these protocols are called DoH (DNS over HTTPS) and DoT (DNS over TLS).
Many malware, ransomware, and data theft attacks rely on DNS security weaknesses. This is where private DNS comes in. DoT and DoH encrypt the communication between your network and the DNS server and prevent third parties from intercepting the data.
How Do You Enable Private DNS?
The process will differ depending on your device/platform. To enable private DNS, you need to configure a DNS address on your device and have access to a third-party DNS server that includes DoT or DoH functionality.
Cloudflare offers a free private DNS service at 1.1.1.1 or 1.0.0.1 but logs some information. This DNS resolver is entirely free. Other free DNS options include OpenDNS, 1.1.1.1 with Warp, and Google.
How to Enable Private DNS on Windows 10
To use private DNS on Windows 10, follow the steps below:
Press Windows + I to open Settings.
Select Network & Internet.
Select Network and Sharing Center under Advanced network settings.
Select Change Adaptor Settings from the left-hand menu.
Right-click the network you’re currently connected to and select Properties.
Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) from the list and select Properties.
Select Use the following DNS server addresses and enter your preferred DNS address.
How to Enable Private DNS on Android
Google introduced support for DNS over TLS in Android 9, allowing you to use private DNS on your phone. To do this, you must have access to a private DNS server. Go to Settings.
Open Settings.
Select Connections > More Connection Settings.
Select Private DNS.
Select Private DNS provider hostname.
Enter the address of the private DNS service you wish to use.
Note: If you’re using CloudFlare, the URL will be 1dot1dot1dot1.cloudfare-dns.com.
How to Enable Private DNS on a Mac
To enable private DNS on a Mac, do the following:
Select the Apple menu.
Select System Preferences > Network.
Select the network connection you’re currently using and click Advanced.
Click DNS, then select the Add button (the plus symbol) at the bottom of the list.
Enter the IPv4 or IPv6 address for the DNS server you want to use.
Select OK.
How to Enable Private DNS on an iPhone
To use encrypted DNS on an iPhone, follow the steps below:
Go to Settings > Wi-Fi.
Click on the information icon “i” next to your Wi-Fi connection.
Scroll down and select Configure DNS.
Select Manual.
Click Add Server.
Enter the address of the private DNS service you wish to use.
CloudFlare’s 1.1.1.1: Faster & Safer Internet App
You also can automatically set up a private DNS server on your Android or iPhone.
Apps like CloudFlare’s 1.1.1.1 Faster & Safer Internet will automatically configure your device to use the 1.1.1.1 DNS server. It’s a free app that functions without ads.
Setting up a private DNS is not necessarily secure by itself. Once you’ve set up an alternate DNS address, it’s essential to check it to ensure your connection is safe. You can use several online tools to do this, including Cloudfare’s own security check tool.
This will double-check that your DNS queries are encrypted, whether your browser supports encrypted Server Name Indication (SNI), whether your DNS resolver is using Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC), and which version of TLS is being used.
Internet Privacy
Public DNS is one of the most significant security concerns on the internet, and configuring private DNS can protect you and your devices from malicious actors on the internet.
Do you use private DNS? Let us know in the comments below.
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Jake Harfield is an Australian freelance writer whose passion is finding out how different technologies work. He has written for several online publications, focusing on explaining what he has learned to help others with their tech problems. He’s an avid hiker and birder, and in his spare time you’ll find him in the Aussie bush listening to the birdsong. Read Jake's Full Bio
When you type a domain name into your browser (say, namehero.com), the DNS server converts that domain name into an IP address. Private DNS mode is basically a setting that enables you to use your custom DNS server instead of the DNS provided by your ISP. It ensures that your web browsing traffic is encrypted.
Once you enable this feature, all of your DNS queries are encrypted, so any bad actors won't be able to view them (even if they capture those packets). In other words, Private DNS Mode should be an absolute must for anyone who values their privacy and security. But how do you enable Private DNS Mode on Android?
In Android, this option is called Private DNS. It prevents your queries from being tracked, modified or surveilled by third-parties. Unlike previous versions of Android, this method also ensures 1.1.1.1 does not need to be configured for each new Wi-Fi network your smartphone joins. Go to Settings > Network & internet.
When in doubt, leave the setting as Auto, and the system will use the default, generally that of your Internet provider. Changing the DNS setting is also a popular way to "hack" a system. In this case, the bad guys capture your DNS requests to send you to phony destinations or services.
To prevent an ISP from being able to see what you do online (and therefore potentially censor it), you should use a VPN. This encrypts your connection between your device and the VPN server, so that your ISP can't see the contents of your data.
If a DNS outage occurs, it could have a negative impact on your entire organization and community of customers. When DNS (Domain Name System) is down, websites, applications, and online services related to the domain name, such as emails, won't function correctly.
The DNS server returns the IP address, and the browser connects to the webpage that then appears on your screen If the DNS server is unavailable, the browser has no way of acquiring the website's IP address, so it returns an error.
The Domain Name System (DNS) turns domain names into IP addresses, which browsers use to load internet pages. Every device connected to the internet has its own IP address, which is used by other devices to locate the device.
It employs DNS over TLS encryption to minimize the threat of eavesdropping or being redirected to malicious websites. Android devices protected with a private DNS are usually more resilient to cyber threats than unprotected ones, especially when connected to public Wi-Fi networks, which are often less secure.
DNS is a hierarchical naming system that allows communication across networked devices, translating domain names we know to computer-friendly IP addresses. The Domain Name System (DNS) is a hierarchical naming system that allows communication across devices on a network.
The Domain Name System (DNS) is the phonebook of the Internet. Humans access information online through domain names, like nytimes.com or espn.com. Web browsers interact through Internet Protocol (IP) addresses. DNS translates domain names to IP addresses so browsers can load Internet resources.
When you type a domain name into your browser (say, namehero.com), the DNS server converts that domain name into an IP address. Private DNS mode is basically a setting that enables you to use your custom DNS server instead of the DNS provided by your ISP. It ensures that your web browsing traffic is encrypted.
A2A: No.It just changes the service you are using to look up the IP address corresponding to a domain name. You still get to the same websites, no matter what DNS service you are using. Some DNS services do a better job of preventing you from reaching potentially malicious websites.
If you're serious about hiding your IP address, it's vital to get a VPN with these features: Private DNS servers – DNS works like a phone book for the internet by translating domain names like “comparitech.com” into IP addresses that your device can use to communicate.
Secure DNS is a feature that protects the security and privacy of your web browser when you connect to websites. Without secure DNS or other security tools, web traffic could be altered or stolen, leaving your device and data at risk. Learn how secure DNS works and how to enable it on your browser or device.
Go into Settings and under Wireless & Networks , tap on Wi-Fi. Tap and hold on your current connected Wi-Fi connection, until a pop-up window appears and select Modify Network Config. You should now be able to scroll down a list of options on your screen. Please scroll down until you see DNS 1 and DNS 2.
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