Changing your DNS settings can make your internet faster. DNS is like a phonebook for the web. It turns URLs into IP addresses that computers understand. By switching your DNS, you reduce data travel distance, avoid slow servers, and skip busy networks.
Even though broadband and fiber have gotten better, tweaking DNS settings helps a lot. Services like Google DNS, OpenDNS, and Cloudflare DNS offer faster, safer ways to connect than what ISPs give you. Using these DNS servers can make your internet noticeably quicker.
Understanding DNS and Its Role in Internet Speed
The Domain Name System (DNS) is crucial for fast internet browsing. It turns domain names we know into IP addresses. This change is key for sending data and loading websites quickly.
What Is DNS?
DNS is like the Internet’s phonebook. When you enter a site’s name, DNS finds its IP address. This process stops us from memorizing complex numerical addresses. It makes using the internet easier and efficient.
How Does DNS Affect Internet Speed?
Your browsing speed can vary based on DNS Server efficiency. A nearby DNS server helps load pages faster. If it’s far, the lookup slows down, affecting your browsing speed. Anycast technology improves this by connecting to the closest server.
Google’s Public DNS is a good example of using anycast for better speed. It pairs with Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) to consider your location. This helps in loading pages faster, leading to a smoother online experience.
Does Changing Your DNS Increase Speed?
Switching your DNS server might seem like just a tiny change. Yet, it can make web pages load faster by using the best route for your internet connection. Think of it as picking the fastest way on a GPS app to get somewhere quicker.
Route Optimization
Changing your DNS settings means you’re optimizing the route for your online queries. This makes sure you use the most direct paths, which cuts down on wait times and improves how fast websites open. For example, using Google DNS showed a 132.1% speed boost compared to standard servers. This is thanks to Google’s large-scale infrastructure and constantly refreshed data.
If a DNS server is slow or has old info, it can slow down your internet. Picking a server that’s near you and has up-to-date records can make websites load much faster.
Tools for Benchmarking DNS Performance
To find the fastest DNS server for you, try using GRC DNS Benchmark or namebench. These tools check the speed of different DNS servers based on your location. Namebench compares many providers like Cloudflare, UltraDNS, and Google to find the closest one to you.
Cloudflare is known for its fast servers, high security, and privacy focus. They erase all logs within 24 hours. Reports from Namebench often point out 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare) and 8.8.8.8 (Google Public DNS) as the best choices.
Using DNS optimization and benchmarking tools can greatly enhance your internet’s performance. It makes browsing the web smoother and more enjoyable. But, it’s key to remember that DNS changes improve how quickly website names are looked up, not your internet’s download speed for streaming or files.
What Does Changing DNS Do?
Changing your DNS settings can really speed up your internet and make it more secure. If you switch to providers like Google DNS, OpenDNS, Cloudflare DNS, or Quad9, you could enjoy better security and faster browsing. This is because these services work more efficiently.
When you switch DNS, you might get to websites quicker. This happens because the new service finds IP addresses faster. Cloudflare’s DNS, for example, is super fast with IPv4 addresses 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1. So, your internet feels quicker.
But it’s not all about speed. DNS changes can also make your online experience safer. Services like Cloudflare give you faster searches and some protection against harmful sites. Paying for DNS can give even more benefits, like never going down, managing where your traffic goes, and backup DNS.
- Google Wed: IPv4 address 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4
- OpenDNS: IPv4 adds 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220
- Quad9: Offers secure DNS services
Changing your DNS might fix slow internet at home or privacy worries. It’s usually free, easy, and quick. You can also easily switch back if you need to.
Let’s say you decide to change your DNS. You might notice the web pages load faster thanks to better routing. Also, safer surfing is a big plus. The right DNS can block harmful sites and have parental controls.
So, changing your DNS can do a lot. It makes your internet both faster and safer. This improves your whole online experience.
How to Change DNS Settings on Different Devices
Changing DNS settings can boost your internet speed and add security across devices. This includes Windows PCs, macOS devices, Android smartphones, and iPhones. Below, we show you how to change these settings for each kind of device.
Windows
Start by opening the Control Panel on your Windows 10. Go to “Network and Sharing. Center” and click “Change adapter settings.” Right-click your network connection. Choose “Properties.”
Inside the properties window, click on “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).” Then, hit “Properties.” Select “Use the following DNS server addresses.” Now, enter the DNS servers you prefer, like Google’s 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4. Click “OK.” Restart your device to finish.
macOS
Changing DNS in macOS is simple. Open “System Preferences” and click on “Network.” Pick your active connection and hit “Advanced.”
Find the “DNS” tab. Click the plus (+) button to add new DNS servers. Add addresses like Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1. Click “OK,” then “Apply” to confirm.
Android and iPhone
For Android, go to “Settings” and “Network & internet.” Choose “Private DNS” and pick “Private DNS provider hostname.” Type the hostname of your DNS provider, like dns.google for Google Public DNS. Save and restart your device.
On an iPhone, open “Settings” and tap on “Wi-Fi.” Tap the information icon next to your network. Select “DNS,” then “Manual.” Enter DNS addresses you like, e.g., OpenDNS’s 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220. Save and restart your iPhone.
By following these steps, you can change DNS settings on various devices to improve internet performance and security. Whether you use Google Public DNS, Cloudflare, or OpenDNS, each has benefits for your needs.
Conclusion
Changing your DNS settings can make your internet faster and more secure. It’s an easy step to enhance your online activity. Changing your DNS server can help with speed, security, and privacy.
Many internet providers don’t offer strong phishing protection or newer security methods like DNSSEC or DNSCrypt. Switching to a third-party DNS service can protect against attacks and provide a better browsing experience. Learning how to change DNS settings on devices like Windows, macOS, Android, and routers is helpful.
Small changes to your DNS can greatly improve how you surf the web. Always write down your original DNS addresses before making any changes, just in case. By being informed and ready to act, you can enjoy a smoother and safer online journey.
