Nearly everything on the Internet starts with a DNS request. DNS is the Internet’s directory. Click on a link, open an app, send an email and the first thing your device does is ask the directory: Where can I find this?
Unfortunately, by default, DNS is usually slow and insecure. Your ISP, and anyone else listening in on the Internet, can see every site you visit and every app you use — even if their content is encrypted. Creepily, some DNS providers sell data about your Internet activity or use it target you with ads.
- Cloudflare
On April Fool's Day of 2018 Cloudflare announced their brand-new DNS service. The statement above explains the importance of having a good DNS service. Not all DNS providers are created equal. Cloudflare's DNS service is almost 20ms faster than Google's DNS service. We here at QCTechJunkie have updated all of our devices to use Cloudflare over Google. And there is no real reason why you should not at least try Cloudflare's DNS yourself.
One reason to use Cloudflare's DNS, over the one your ISP probably has you using, is for data privacy. According to Cloudflare:
We will never log your IP address (the way other companies identify you). And we’re not just saying that. We’ve retained KPMG to audit our systems annually to ensure that we’re doing what we say.
Frankly, we don’t want to know what you do on the Internet—it’s none of our business—and we’ve taken the technical steps to ensure we can’t.
Setup Cloudflare’s DNS
Setup is easy, as long as you know where to look. In fact Cloudflare will recognize the device you are on when you go to https://1.1.1.1/. From there they will provide you with basic instructions to setup up your device to use their service. But, why do that when we will cover the major four platforms for you right here:
Windows
- Click on the Start menu, then click on Control Panel.
- Click on Network and Internet.
- Click on Change Adapter Settings.
- Right click on the Wi-Fi network you are connected to, then click Properties.
- Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (or Version 6 if desired).
- Click Properties.
- Write down any existing DNS server entries for future reference.
- Click Use The Following DNS Server Addresses.
- Replace those addresses with the 1.1.1.1 DNS addresses:
- For IPv4: 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1
- For IPv6: 2606:4700:4700::1111 and 2606:4700:4700::1001
- Click OK, then Close.
- Restart your browser.
MacOS
- Open System Preferences.
- Search for DNS Servers and select it from the dropdown.
- Click the + button to add a DNS Server and enter 1.1.1.1
- Click + again and enter 1.0.0.1 (This is for redundancy.)
- Click + again and enter 2606:4700:4700::1111 (This is for redundancy.)
- Click + again and enter 2606:4700:4700::1001 (This is for redundancy.)
- Click Ok, then click Apply.
Android
- From your Android’s app list, open the Settings app.
- Under the Wireless & networks section, tap Wi-Fi,
- Long press your preferred network in the list until a context menu appears.
- Tap the Modify network, then tap Advanced options.
- Tap Advanced options, then tap IP Settings.
- Change Dynamic to Static.
- Using your router’s configuration, enter your device’s IP address and gateway.
- Tap the DNS field, then erase the number in the field.
- In the DNS 1 field, enter 1.1.1.1
- In the DNS 2 field, enter 1.0.0.1 (This is for redundancy.)
- Tap Save.
iPhone
- From your iPhone’s home screen, open the Settings app.
- Tap Wi-Fi, then tap your preferred network in the list.
- Tap Configure DNS, then tap Manual.
- If there are any existing entries, tap the - button, and Deletenext to each one.
- Tap the + Add Server button, then type 1.1.1.1
- Tap the + Add Server button again, then type 1.0.0.1. This is for redundancy.
- Tap the + Add Server button again, then type 2606:4700:4700::1111. This is for redundancy.
- Tap the + Add Server button again, then type 2606:4700:4700::1001. This is for redundancy.
- Tap the Save button on the top right.
Home Setup
If you want to make things easier for all your devices on your home network, you can configure your router to use Cloudflare's DNS. Doing this will eliminate the need to configure each device on your home network. Below is the general setup for most routers:
- Connect to your preferred wireless network.
- Enter your router’s gateway IP address in your browser.
- If prompted, fill in your username and password. This information may be labeled on the router. Default username and passwords can be found here.
- In your router’s configuration page, locate the DNS server settings.
- Write down any existing DNS server entries for future reference.
- Replace those addresses with the 1.1.1.1 DNS addresses:
- For IPv4: 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1
- For IPv6: 2606:4700:4700::1111 and 2606:4700:4700::1001
- Save your settings, then restart your browser.
Note: Configurations for your router maybe different, consult your routers owners manual for more information.