Should i use dns

This article will answer all of these questions, and more. The concept of surfing the internet seems simple enough. You type www. Every internet user and domain has an IP address. Obviously, the contact list for the internet is way too large to store in a smartphone.

According to Verisign , closed its first quarter with roughly All these domain names and corresponding IP addresses are stored on servers across the globe called DNS servers. DNS servers are devices or programs that answer domain queries from desktop or mobile devices, called DNS clients.

You enter VPNOverview. A DNS server translates that domain name into an IP address and pulls up the correct site, all in under a second. Since DNS servers are constantly bombarded with DNS queries, the servers are always communicating with each other so they can catch redundancies and update data about websites. Though many internet users may never leave the DNS server provided by their ISP, others might opt to switch to a free, third party public DNS server instead for a variety of reasons.

Third party providers often have more power behind their DNS servers, and provide a faster internet user experience. DNS server performance can depend on physical distance between the server and your Wi-Fi router , so remember location can be a factor for performance.

This could allow third parties to see your internet actions , or your ISP to use your online browsing history to return targeted advertising. A server provided by your ISP might not only be slower, but could be down more often. Users often switch to third party DNS providers because of uninterrupted uptime and more reliable service. With some third party DNS servers, like OpenDNS, you can block inappropriate or explicit websites , as well as entire categories of websites at the source.

With all the malware, phishing sites and other scams floating around the online world, security is more important than ever. Some public DNS servers promote their advanced security and encryption protocols. Your actions are reversible, and you can try different ones to see which works fastest for your specific location. Before you change your DNS settings, make sure to write down the current server addresses or settings somewhere, if there are any.

If you think it might be time to make a switch to a third party DNS service provider, there are plenty to choose from. Some focus strictly on security and speed, while others offer different features. OpenDNS has been offering their free public servers for around the past fifteen years. The company does store your DNS web browsing activity and IP address information when you use their servers. They promote a free Family Shield server plan that households can use to block out content not suitable to children.

Similar servers are also available for small businesses to block out malicious, inappropriate or even time-wasting sites. Though newer to the scene than the other two big players, Cloudflare has made a name for themselves in the DNS space. They offer heightened security and protection at the easy-to-remember IP addresses of 1.

Two public DNS servers based in Denmark have been available for use since , free of charge. Thomas Steen Rasmussen — who used to administer censored DNS servers for ISPs to comply with Danish censorship requirements — funds and runs Uncensored DNS as kind of a pet project, and says the servers neither store any information about users nor how they use the system.

The exact location of the DNS setting varies depending on which router you have. However, it should be somewhere in the network settings. If you have any trouble finding it, just do a Google search for your router model to find out where this setting is. You should see a list of your network devices on both Ethernet and Wi-Fi. Relaunch Chrome for the changes to take effect.

In Firefox, the option is a bit buried. You can also select a DNS provider manually here if you prefer. Browse All iPhone Articles Browse All Mac Articles Do I need one?

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The DNS server offers impressive performance and a top-notch privacy feature — they do not log your internet traffic. Some of its offerings include web filtering optional and blocking phishing sites. Change to OpenDNS by using these addresses: Some browsers are not yet able to use IPv6.

It happens. You leave your router to do its work, somewhere up on a shelf or behind the TV, and dust settles upon it. Soon you notice that sometimes your Internet connection is intermittent or slow