Are you considering Private DNS for online privacy? Private DNS can help secure your online activities from snoopers. Discover everything you need to know about this data protection strategy and why it is essential.
What Is a Private DNS?
It involves using private DNS servers in a network, different from the default ones provided by an Internet Service Provider (ISP). This method encrypts DNS queries, improving your online privacy and security.
However, as great as this measure is, it doesn’t stop others from seeing your browsing history. This is why you should also consider using additional tools like a residential VPN service.
How Does Private DNS Work?
As mentioned earlier, private DNS encrypts DNS queries. Here is how it works:
- Your organization sets up a private DNS server within its network. This new server then acts as the reliable domain address system for your company.
- The IP addresses are assigned to the organization’s devices within the internal network. The information about the IP address and the domains gets stored in the private DNS server zone files.
- When a device on a network wants to connect to another website, it queries the private DNS server. This server then searches for the required IP address and delivers it to the requester.
- The requesting device uses the returned IP address to establish a connection to the desired website or other devices within the network.
By monitoring DNS name resolution requests, ISPs can tell when your device connects to a DNS server. So, the purpose of Private DNS is to hide the resolution requests from your ISP and any other surveillance teams.
Types of Private DNS Protocols
There are four types of DNS protocols. However, DoT and DoH are the most commonly used ones. Let’s discuss them all in more detail.
- DNS Over TLS (DoT)
DNS over TLS encrypts DNS requests using TLS. It is the same protocol that secures websites to ensure online privacy, but uses a dedicated port.
- DNS Over HTTPS (DoH)
The DNS over HTTPS protocol sends DNS queries through HTTPS. By merging with regular website traffic, DoH protects DNS queries from attacks, making it difficult for third parties to alter the resolution request results.
- DNSCrypt
It encrypts DNS queries using its protocol. This means third parties can’t intercept your queries. DNSCrypt can be ideal for privacy and protection against DNS spoofing. This protocol focuses on authenticating DNS responses by verifying that the response is from a trusted DNS server.
- DNS Over QUIC (DoQ)
This one uses the QUIC transport protocol to encrypt DNS requests. When your DNS queries are sent over QUIC, it reduces the connection setup times and latency. This feature makes it suitable for mobile and high-speed networks.
Use Cases of Private DNS
You can configure Private DNS on mobile devices and smart home gadgets. Enabling it keeps your devices’ DNS queries encrypted. For instance, setting up Private DNS can boost your privacy and security whenever you use public Wi-Fi.
Also, marketing companies often send targeted ads based on DNS requests. However, Private DNS makes it harder for these companies to access your data, leading to fewer targeted ads.
Benefits of Using Private DNS
Private DNS on your devices protects you from phishing attacks and cloaks your online activities. Let’s go over some of the advantages this privacy protection measure brings to the table.
- 1. Increased Privacy
This is one of the main benefits of using a private DNS because ISPs and other third parties will not see the websites you often visit.
- 2. Defense Against Spoofing
Private DNS can also shield you from DNS spoofing — a technique that redirects you to malicious websites. It ensures you connect to legitimate sites by adding an extra protection layer against phishing attacks.
- 3. Bypass Censorship
Private DNS can help you access blocked websites in locations where there are internet restrictions.
Should Private DNS Be Off or Automatic?
For everyday browsing, it’s recommended you set your Private DNS to “automatic.” Such an approach will ensure your device always opts for encrypted DNS. Turning it off could expose your browsing history to snoopers.
Conclusion
If you want to encrypt only your DNS queries, then a private DNS is your ideal solution. It brings you peace of mind by preventing undesirables and hackers from tracking your movements online. Digital surveillance is at an all-time high; thus, this is the kind of security strategy you need to be safe online. Don’t forget to combine this approach with a robust VPN for even better protection!
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