If you’re new to DNS servers, DNS or domain name resolution is a protocol that takes the domain names users enter into the browser and translates them into the IP addresses needed to access those specific websites.
Your ISP will automatically assign a DNS server every time you go online, but that’s not always the best choice. If your ISP’s DNS is slow, it will reduce browsing speeds, and if DNS is down, users may not be able to access some (or possibly all) websites.
Fortunately, switching to a quality free and public DNS server can result in faster browsing, which often provides many security benefits: phishing protection, blocking of infected sites, and possibly Content filtering to help children stay away from unhealthy web content.
In this article, let’s find out TOP of the best free DNS serversmaking connecting online simple and easy with a faster and more secure web surfing experience than through the user’s ISP.
TOP best free DNS servers
1.1.1.1 – Cloudfare
Cloudflare has expanded its scope to include a new public DNS service, catchily named 1.1.1.1. Cloudflare has focused more on fundamentals, making it the fastest public DNS service available in terms of speed worldwide. Cloudflare commits that it will never log query IP addresses, any logs that exist will be deleted within 24 hours.
1.1.1.1 has several setup guides, with simple instructions covering Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, and routers. Mobile users can use WARP to secure all of their phone’s internet traffic.
The product does not offer ad blocking, one thing to note is that Cloudflare introduced content filtering to block malware and adult content, with services 1.1.1.2/1.0.0.2 and 1.1. 1.3/1.0.0.3 respectively.
Google Public DNS
Google Public DNS is a simple and effective alternative to your ISP name servers. This service logs the full IP address information of the querying device for approximately 24 to 48 hours for diagnostic and troubleshooting purposes. The logs strip away any personally identifiable information and reduce location details to the city level, and all but a small random sample of these are deleted after 2 weeks.
Google’s support site provides only very basic instructions for experienced users, warning that only users proficient in configuring operating system settings should make these changes. If you’re not sure what you’re doing, check out instructions from a provider like OpenDNS, making sure to replace their nameservers with Google’s: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4.
OpenDNS
OpenDNS is one of the most prominent public DNS providers, resolving a whopping 620 billion DNS queries every day. The free OpenDNS service includes anti-phishing and configurable content filtering. If you want simplicity, OpenDNS Family Shield comes pre-configured to block adult content without the need for manual adjustments.
Paid plans offer a bit more parental control-type features starting at $19.95 a year, including the ability to view Internet activity history or lock down the system by only allowing access to specific websites. If you’re proficient at changing DNS, you can get started right away by reconfiguring your device to use OpenDNS name servers. If you’re new, OpenDNS has setup guides for PCs, Macs, mobile devices, routers and more.
