How to Browse Faster (and Safer) With the New DNS Cloudflare

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Cloudflare announced a brand new DNS service this weekend – April Fools’ Day, of course – because its launch date depends on the IP you use to access it: 1.1.1.1. Four. Take it? 4/1?

Anyway, according to Cloudflare , here’s why it’s important:

Almost everything on the Internet starts with a DNS query. DNS is the directory of the Internet. Click the link, open the app, send an email, and the first thing your device does is ask for a catalog: Where can I find this?

Unfortunately, DNS is usually slow and insecure by default. Your ISP and anyone listening to the Internet can see every site you visit and every application you use, even if their content is encrypted. Unfortunately, some DNS providers sell data about your online activity or use it to target you with ads.

First of all: Google shots. But in reality, if you are using Google’s DNS service, this is a great way to bypass (some) blocks of content your ISP has installed . However, you still provide some data to Google, and this may not suit you.

Even if you don’t care too much about that aspect, keep in mind that Cloudflare’s DNS service – at the time of this writing – is currently around 20ms faster at resolving queries than Google. There is no reason you shouldn’t try, even if some are still skeptical about Cloudflare’s data privacy statements:

“We will never log your IP address (the way other companies identify you). And we don’t just say that. We have hired KPMG to audit our systems annually to make sure we do what we say we do.

To be honest, we don’t want to know what you are doing on the Internet – it’s none of our business – and we’ve taken technical steps to ensure we can’t do it. “

Setting up DNS Cloudflare on your device

All you have to do is open the Cloudflare website to look up its DNS service on any device. Cloudflare will recognize your hardware and give you fairly simple instructions on how to switch to their DNS service. If you’re lazy, here are the basics for the major platforms:

Window

  • Open Control Panel> Network and Sharing Center (or Network and Internet)> Change adapter settings (or View network status and tasks> Change adapter settings).
  • Right click on your Ethernet or Wi-Fi connection and select Properties.
  • Select Internet Protocol version 4 (or 6) and click Properties.
  • Click “Use the following DNS server addresses”.
  • For IPv4 (most people) use 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1 addresses.
  • For IPv6, use addresses 2606: 4700: 4700 :: 1111 and 2606: 4700: 4700 :: 1001.
  • Click OK, close the network settings window and restart your browser.

macOS

  • Open System Preferences> Network.
  • Click on your Ethernet or Wi-Fi connection and select Advanced.
  • Click DNS and delete (minus sign) all entries in the DNS Servers section.
  • Click the plus sign and add 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1 for IPv4 or 2606: 4700: 4700 :: 1111 and 2606: 4700: 4700 :: 1001 for IPv6.
  • Click OK and then click Apply. Close the Network window and restart your browser.

Android

  • You will need to use a static IP to enable custom DNS on Android, which is tricky. Cloudflare recommends configuring your wireless router to use DNS.
  • Raise the settings of your router . (How you do this depends on the type of router you have; refer to your router manual if you are unsure how.)
  • Look for a section in your router’s settings where you can change its DNS settings – again, this depends on the router and might be hidden in some sort of “advanced” menu, so you might have to do a little searching.
  • Change any DNS settings to Cloudflare: 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1 for IPv4 or 2606: 4700: 4700 :: 1111 and 2606: 4700: 4700 :: 1001 for IPv6.
  • Save the settings and restart the router.

iOS

  • In the app, tap Settings> Wi-Fi> Tap the i next to your wireless connection> Configure DNS and then select Manual.
  • Remove any existing DNS records
  • Add two new entries: 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1
  • Tap Save.

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