Block Malware With New DNS Cloudflare Options

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Cloudflare has launched a new version of its free DNS (Domain Name System) service, Cloudflare 1.1.1.1, for families, which blocks adult content and malware before your browser can ever download it. This is another tool in your security cache to think about if you want to stay as safe as possible (or you constantly have to remove malware and shit on your relatives’ systems).

As a background, DNS is like an Internet phone book, a means by which your Internet browsers and other applications translate easy-to-remember domain names into the IP addresses that you actually connect to.

The new Cloudflare DNS offerings cross-reference the domain your browser is trying to access with a list of known adult websites and malware locations. This is in contrast to content blocking browser extensions or anti-malware applications, which tend to intercept files or certain content after a website has loaded. While the new Cloudflare DNS resolvers have been designed with family needs in mind, almost everyone will likely find use for both – especially since they’re completely free (and generally much faster at resolving them than your ISP’s DNS).

How to set up Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 for families

On Windows:

  1. Find and open Control Panel from the Windows Start menu. For simplicity, switch to viewing small or large icons.
  2. Click Network and Sharing Center> Change adapter settings.
  3. Right-click an active Ethernet or Wi-Fi connection and select Properties.
  4. Highlight “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP / IPv4)” or “Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP / IPv6)” in the list, then click “Properties” and edit the DNS settings as follows (after selecting “Use the following DNS server” addresses ” instead of “Obtain DNS server address automatically”.

For IPv4: add or replace any IP addresses that may already be in the list:

Blocking malware

  • 1.1.1.2
  • 1.0.0.2

Blocking malware and adult content

  • 1.1.1.3
  • 1.0.0.3

For IPv6: add or replace any IP addresses that may already be in the list:

Blocking malware

  • 2606:4700:4700::1112
  • 2606:4700:4700::1002

Blocking malware and adult content

  • 2606:4700:4700::1113
  • 2606:4700:4700::1003

After you have added / replaced the required IP address, click “OK” and return to the rest of the windows. The filters will now be active the next time the internet browser is loaded. (Be sure to check the Cloudflare for Windows help page if you run into any issues.)

On macOS:

  1. Press Command + Spacebar , then find and launch System Preferences.
  2. Go to Network, then click on an active connection and select Advanced> DNS.
  3. Click the plus sign under DNS Servers and enter the following IPv4 and / or IPv6 addresses:

Malware blocking (IPv4)

  • 1.1.1.2
  • 1.0.0.2

Block malware and adult content (IPv4)

  • 1.1.1.3
  • 1.0.0.3

Malware blocking (IPv6)

  • 2606:4700:4700::1112
  • 2606:4700:4700::1002

Block malware and adult content (IPv6)

  • 2606:4700:4700::1113
  • 2606:4700:4700::1003

Click OK and then Apply to save your changes. The filters should now be active. The Cloudflare for Mac setup page can help if you need troubleshooting help.

Other Ways to Set Up Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 for Families

Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 for families can also be configured on a Linux PC or, if you dare, network-wide through a wireless router that will apply content filters to all devices on the network.

Android devices running Android 9 or higher and iOS / iPadOS devices can also use Cloudflare’s basic DNS service. You will need to configure DNS settings for each wireless network on both, but soon Android users will be able to enable this everywhere.

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