Ever wondered how your device connects to websites in a split second? The answer lies in a little secret called DNS, which stands for Domain Name System. This article will reveal some free or public DNS servers in 2024 that can make your web surfing better (faster, more secure and private).
So now that we are on with that point, let’s see what today’s market has in store for us!
Top Free and Public DNS Servers
Here are some of the most popular and trusted free and public DNS servers available in 2024:
- Google Public DNS
Google Public DNS is known as one of the most popular and widely selected DNS services. The objective is to have the internet faster and more secure which can be used by everyone with the help of reliable, quick, and easily accessible DNS.
- Primary DNS:8.8.8
- Secondary DNS:8.4.4
- IPv6 DNS: 2001:4860:4860::8888 (Primary), 2001:4860:4860::8844 (Secondary)
- Speed: It is recognized globally for providing quick answers compared to other existing infrastructures around the world.
- Security: It provides support for DNSSEC and also has security features such as blocking malware infected websites.
- Cloudflare DNS
Cloudflare engineered its DNS to be unmatched in speed and first in terms of privacy among all other available options on the market today. Security and privacy come first with Cloudflare; hence, it does not follow your every move online like some immoral hackers would do by recording everything through extensive logging.
- Primary DNS: 1.1.1.1
- Secondary DNS:0.0.1
- IPv6 DNS: 2606:4700:4700::1111 (Primary), 2606:4700:4700::1001 (Secondary)
- Speed: This is supposed to be the quickest network infrastructure worldwide because it makes use of the Cloudflare data center.
- Security: It includes support for encrypted DNS traffic like DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH) and DNS-over-TLS (DoT) so that users can safely send out their DNS requests.
- OpenDNS
OpenDNS is a DNS service owned by Cisco which is available free of charge or through subscriptions designed to offer increased speed, security as well as the ability to customize on those options – all of which are highly effective. It is widely applied by customers, both corporate and individuals, to add another layer of defence against phishing and malware.
- Primary DNS:67.222.222
- Secondary DNS:67.220.220
- IPv6 DNS: 2620:119:35::35 (Primary), 2620:119:53::53 (Secondary)
- Speed: The service provided by OpenDNS has been fine-tuned to allow for very quick DNS resolution. This is evidenced by its placement of servers throughout different regions globally so that they can be close enough in proximity but without causing high traffic loads!
- Security: OpenDNS offers extra security features such as anti-phishing/malware with personalized filtering options for home users or enterprises.
- Quad9 DNS
Quad9 is a security-focused DNS designed to prevent access to websites that are known to be posing threats, with data about such sites being received from multiple threat intelligence providers. The Quad9 policy prioritizes user safety in the cyber world.
- Primary DNS: 9.9.9.9
- Secondary DNS: 149.112.112.112
- IPv6 DNS: 2620:fe::fe (Primary), 2620:fe::9 (Secondary)
- Speed: In most areas, Quad9 works quite well, and it is relatively fast.
- Security: The security aspect of Quad9 involves blocking users from visiting many identified phishing and malware sites through an extended threat intelligence collaboration.
- Control D
Control D is a unique DNS which allows users to customize filtering, disable ads and improve security with ease and at their own volition. It is the perfect choice for those individuals who prefer having control over their DNS settings, as it offers a wide range of filtering options designed for different purposes.
- Primary DNS: 76.76.19.19
- Secondary DNS: 76.76.20.20
- IPv6 DNS: 2606:4700:4700::1111 (Primary), 2606:4700:4700::1001 (Secondary)
- Speed: A quick resolving, low latency and most probably due to their well spread out servers across the globe kind of service is what you get with it!
- Security: For your information, this service includes blocking viruses, protecting against fraud on the Internet, and allows you to independently set up filtering of visited web pages.
- AdGuard DNS
AdGuard DNS is focused on ad blocking with an option for ad-free and non-intrusive surfing fire walled by a special security net around the most dangerous internet hazards at the level of DNS protocol; this solution is especially suitable for users who value their comfort and do not wish to see advertising when visiting websites.
- Primary DNS: 94.140.14.14
- Secondary DNS: 94.140.15.15
- IPv6 DNS: 2a10:50c0::ad1 (Primary), 2a10:50c0::ad2 (Secondary)
- Speed: This type of service is known for being very fast and ensuring quick resolution of DNS queries; besides that, it has a good infrastructure which helps in minimizing delays.
- Security: It offers strong protection against phishing, malware, and tracking threats. The browser security feature also helps in blocking ads automatically, thus improving surfing speeds.
- CleanBrowsing
CleanBrowsing is a service that makes it easy for people to use the Internet. It stops inappropriate content and protects against harmful websites for everyone in the family at home or in organizations where some people have very specific rules about what they can do online.
- Primary DNS: 185.228.168.168
- Secondary DNS: 185.228.169.168
- IPv6 DNS: 2a0d:2a00:1::1 (Primary), 2a0d:2a00:1::2 (Secondary)
- Speed: With CleanBrowsing, you get fast global DNS responses because it has servers everywhere around the world.
- Security: In addition to this, there is also an anti-adult content feature included in it, which helps prevent malware as well as phishing attacks targeted at children or students using such facilities at home or school.
- Alternate DNS
Alternate DNS is a free and uncomplicated anti-malware and ad blocking system that also promises high-speed query resolving via its DNS facilities. This kind of service is what you would call plain vanilla – there is nothing much added to it, but merely serving its sole purpose.
- Primary DNS: 198.101 242.72
- Secondary DNS: 23.253.163.53
- IPv6 DNS: 2620:10a:80::72 (Primary), 2620:10a:80::53 (Secondary)
- Speed: Users enjoy a quick and consistent service as it has low latency.
- Security: It comes with protection from dangerous/malicious websites as well as malware or Trojan infections for safe browsing experience all around.
Wrapping Up
To sum up, the selection of appropriate free and Public DNS Servers can significantly enhance one’s online experience in terms of speed, security, and privacy. There are various options provided that protect users from malicious software and block commercial banners. Test them out and determine what is best for you.
If you found this helpful, don’t forget to share it with your friends and family – let’s spread the word for safer and faster internet browsing!