Protect your computer from malicious actors Internet privacy is an important issue in today’s digital world. Protecting your privacy and security online is a way to keep malicious parties away from your computer and devices. Private DNS is the answer.
You may be concerned about your online privacy, and you want to make steps to improve it. Continue reading to find out what private DNS is and how to configure it on your devices.
What is DNS?
The Domain Name System (DNS) maps the web address that you search (like online-tech-tips.com, otherwise called the URL or Unified Resource Locator) to a set of IP addresses so that packets are efficiently sent over the internet.
A DNS server usually performs the translation from URL into IP. This is known as a DNS transaction and it occurs every time you visit a site, use specific applications or communicate with certain platforms.
These transactions, just like domain names, cannot be encrypted. The transactions are not protected by privacy mechanisms. Operators and others can see and log transactions easily, which can lead to serious problems if the information poses a privacy or security risk.
It can also make you vulnerable to malicious cyberattacks, such as man-in-the-middle attacks.
What is Private DNS?
Two new terms are available to help you understand private DNS: Transport Layer Security, (TLS), and Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure. These protocols protect any DNS queries that are sent, and DNS over them is referred to as DoH and DoT (DNS Over HTTPS and TLS).
DNS security vulnerabilities are a key component of many malware, ransomware, and data theft attacks. Private DNS is the solution. DoT and DoH both encrypt communication between your network, the DNS server, and prevent third parties intercepting it.
You can also use a SmartDNS and a VPN.
What is Private DNS?
This process may vary depending on the platform/device you use. You will need to set up private DNS on your device. Also, you must have access to a third party DNS server with DoT and DoH functionality.
Cloudflare provides a private DNS service for free at 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1. However, it logs some information which you can find out more about here. This DNS solver is totally free. OpenDNS, Warp and Google are other free DNS options.
How to enable private DNS on Windows 10
- Follow these steps to enable private DNS for Windows 10.
- To open Settings, press Windows key + I.
- Select Network & Internet.
- Under Advanced network settings, select Network and Share Center.
- From the left-hand menu, select Change adaptor Settings.
- Right-click on the network that you are currently connected to, and choose Properties.
- Select Internet Protocol version 4 (TCP/IPv4) from the list, and then select Property.
- Select Enter your preferred DNS address and use the following DNS server addresses
How to enable private DNS on Android
Google has introduced support to DNS over TLS in Android 9. This allows you to use your private DNS on your smartphone. Access to a private DNS server is required to do this. Go to Settings.
- Open Settings.
- Select Connections > Other Connection Settings.
- Select Private Domain.
- Choose Private DNS Provider hostname.
- Enter the address for the private DNS service that you would like to use.
Note: If you’re using CloudFlare, the URL will be 1dot1dot1dot1.cloudfare-dns.com.
How to enable private DNS on a Mac
The following steps can be used to enable private DNS on your Mac:
- Choose the Apple menu.
- Select System Preferences > Network.
- Click Advanced on the network connection that you are currently using.
- Select DNS and then click the Edit button (the plus sign) at the end of the list.
- For the DNS server that you want to choose, enter the IPv4 address or IPv6 address.
- Select OK.
How to enable private DNS on an iPhone
Follow these steps to use encrypted DNS on your iPhone:
- Go to Settings > WiFi.
- Next to your Wi Fi connection, click on the information icon ” I“.
- Scroll down to select Configure DNS.
- Select Manual.
- Click Add Server.
- Enter the address for the private DNS service that you would like to use.
CloudFlare’s 1.1.1: Faster and Safer Internet App
An Android can be set up to automatically create a private DNS server. CloudFlare’s Faster and Safer Internet 1.1.1.1 will automatically set up your device to use the DNS server 1.1.1.1. It’s also available for iPhone. It is called 1.1.1.1: Faster Internet and can be found in the Apple Store. It is a free app and does not contain ads.
Validate and Check the DNS
A private DNS address is not always secure. It is important to verify that you have a secure alternate DNS address once you have set it up. Cloudfare’s security check tool is one of the many online tools that you can use.
This will confirm that your DNS queries have been encrypted. It will also verify whether your browser supports encrypted Server Name Indications (SNI), if your DNS resolver uses Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC), as well as which version of TLS you are using.
Internet Privacy
Public DNS is one the most important security concerns. Configuring private DNS can help protect you and your devices against malicious actors.