7 Reasons to Use a Third-Party DNS Service
The Benefits of Utilizing Third-Party DNS Servers
Typically, your Internet Service Provider (ISP) manages the DNS servers you utilize. However, this isn't a mandatory arrangement. You have the option to employ DNS servers provided by third parties.
Why Consider Alternative DNS Servers?
These alternative servers frequently provide functionalities and benefits that your ISP’s standard DNS service may lack.
We have previously discussed third-party DNS options such as OpenDNS and Google Public DNS. Now, we will detail the specific reasons why switching your DNS server could be advantageous.
Changing your DNS server can potentially improve your browsing speed. This is because some third-party servers are optimized for faster response times.
Enhanced security is another key benefit. Certain DNS providers offer protection against phishing and malware by blocking access to malicious websites.
Features Often Found in Third-Party DNS Services
- Improved Speed: Faster DNS resolution can lead to quicker page load times.
- Enhanced Security: Blocking malicious domains adds an extra layer of protection.
- Reliability: Third-party servers often have greater redundancy, minimizing downtime.
- Parental Controls: Some services allow you to filter content, restricting access to inappropriate websites.
Ultimately, selecting a third-party DNS server allows you to customize your internet experience. You can prioritize speed, security, or specific filtering needs.
Enhancing Website Speed Through DNS Optimization
The utilization of third-party Domain Name System (DNS) servers can, in certain instances, yield faster resolution times compared to those provided by your Internet Service Provider (ISP). However, this improvement isn't universally guaranteed.
Performance is contingent upon factors such as your geographical location, the proximity of the third-party DNS servers, and the inherent speed of your ISP’s DNS infrastructure.
Should website loading speed be a primary concern, transitioning to a third-party DNS service may prove beneficial. Conversely, no noticeable difference might be observed. Accurate assessment requires employing a DNS benchmarking utility.
Tools like Namebench facilitate this evaluation by submitting DNS queries to both your current DNS server and alternative options, meticulously measuring response times.
Well-known third-party DNS providers, including Google Public DNS and OpenDNS, frequently demonstrate superior performance. Namebench will provide data to confirm whether these services offer an advantage in your specific case.
It’s important to recognize that Namebench’s analysis isn’t exhaustive. For instance, Google Public DNS and OpenDNS actively participate in initiatives like "The Global Internet Speedup."
This participation enables these DNS services to leverage your IP address to deliver IP addresses geographically closer to your location, thereby optimizing connection speeds. DNS servers operated by ISPs may be slower to adopt such advancements.
Enhancing Connection Reliability
Improvements in connection reliability often correlate with those made to speed. Instances of websites failing to load, or loading at a significantly reduced pace, can occur when your Internet Service Provider (ISP) experiences issues with their DNS servers.
These problems manifest as extended resolution times for DNS requests. Should your ISP’s performance be substandard, transitioning to a third-party DNS server could yield a more dependable online experience.
The Role of DNS Servers
DNS servers are crucial for translating domain names into IP addresses. A slow or unstable DNS server directly impacts website loading times and overall internet stability.
Utilizing an alternative DNS provider can bypass potential bottlenecks caused by your ISP, leading to a more consistent and reliable connection.
- Consider public DNS services for improved performance.
- Regularly test your DNS server speed to identify potential issues.
- Switching DNS servers is a simple process that can yield significant benefits.
By addressing potential DNS-related issues, users can proactively enhance the reliability of their internet connection and minimize frustrating delays.
Parental Controls
For households with children, implementing web filtering is a common concern. Numerous methods exist to achieve this, and utilizing a service like OpenDNS represents a straightforward approach. By modifying your router’s DNS server settings to point to OpenDNS, you gain access to a web-based interface for configuring parental control features.
Through the OpenDNS website, specific website categories can be blocked, and a log of websites visited from your home network can be reviewed. This centralized control is a significant benefit.
The advantage of this method lies in its network-wide application. Once configured on the router and within the OpenDNS settings, the filtering extends to all connected devices – including computers, gaming consoles, smartphones, and tablets.
When a blocked website is requested, OpenDNS redirects the request. Instead of the website’s actual IP address, a different address is provided. This results in a blocked access message being displayed in the user’s browser.
However, it’s important to acknowledge the limitations of this technique. Technically proficient users can circumvent the filtering by manually changing the DNS server settings on their individual devices.
While effective for younger children, older children and teenagers may be capable of bypassing these controls, a common challenge with most parental control systems.
How OpenDNS Works
- DNS requests are intercepted by OpenDNS.
- Blocked websites are redirected to a block page.
- Filtering applies to all devices on the network.
- Users can override the settings on individual devices.
OpenDNS provides a convenient solution for network-level web filtering, but it isn't impervious to determined users.
Safeguarding Against Phishing Attacks
OpenDNS incorporates filtering mechanisms designed to actively block access to known phishing websites. While contemporary web browsers generally include integrated phishing defenses, systems utilizing older operating systems like Windows XP with Internet Explorer 6 can benefit significantly from OpenDNS. Implementing OpenDNS provides an added layer of security, protecting these vulnerable machines from potential identity theft.
This particular security feature distinguishes OpenDNS from many alternative DNS providers. For instance, Google Public DNS prioritizes speed and reliability as a DNS service, deliberately excluding content-filtering capabilities to maintain a streamlined functionality.
The focus of Google Public DNS is purely on efficient domain name resolution, without the inclusion of supplementary features.
Enhanced Security Through DNS
Many Internet Service Provider (ISP) DNS servers currently lack advanced security capabilities found in third-party options like OpenDNS and Google Public DNS. These alternative services incorporate features designed to bolster online safety.
For instance, Google Public DNS utilizes DNSSEC, a protocol that guarantees the integrity and authenticity of DNS requests through secure digital signatures. It’s possible your current ISP’s DNS infrastructure doesn’t include this level of protection.
The Impact of SOPA
Had the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) been enacted, it would have effectively prohibited American DNS servers from supporting DNSSEC. This legislation would have rendered this crucial security feature illegal within the United States.
Consequently, American internet users desiring the benefits of DNSSEC would have been compelled to utilize DNS servers hosted in foreign countries. This highlights the potential impact of legislation on internet security infrastructure.
Circumventing Geographic Restrictions
Utilizing specialized third-party DNS servers presents another method for accessing content restricted by geographic location. For instance, configuring your DNS server to utilize a service like Unblock-Us enables access to streaming platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer, regardless of your physical location.
This functionality is achieved through a process where the DNS service employs tunneling techniques. These techniques effectively mask your true location, making it appear as though you are accessing the service from an authorized region.
A key benefit of this approach is its broad compatibility. Content can be accessed across all devices simply by modifying the DNS server settings on your router.
Streamlining DNS Changes
When employing a third-party DNS service to bypass content restrictions, a utility like QuickSetDNS can greatly simplify the process. This free tool facilitates rapid switching between your standard DNS settings and the unlocking service.
It also allows for easy reversion to your original DNS configuration once access to the geoblocked content is no longer required, providing a convenient and flexible solution.
Circumventing Web Censorship
Certain Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and national governments implement website blocking through DNS-level restrictions. This often involves redirecting a website’s DNS record to an alternate destination, effectively preventing access to the intended site. Utilizing a third-party DNS service that doesn’t enforce such blocks can restore access in these scenarios.
A practical illustration of this involved the blocking of The Pirate Bay within the United Kingdom. Users were able to regain access simply by switching to alternative DNS servers.
However, it’s important to recognize that website blocking frequently occurs at the IP address level. Consequently, this method isn't universally effective. The Great Firewall of China, for instance, employs multiple techniques, including DNS blocking, to restrict access to online content.
Identifying DNS Censorship
The tool Namebench provides a feature specifically designed to evaluate DNS servers for censorship. This functionality allows users to determine if their current DNS settings are filtering search results.
Changing DNS Servers
To modify your DNS settings, you can configure them either on your router, impacting all devices on your network, or on an individual computer, affecting only that specific machine.
Adjusting the DNS server at the router level is generally recommended for comprehensive network-wide protection and access.