Does Firefox Use a Different DNS Server?
When it comes to browsing the web, one of the critical components that plays a significant role in your internet experience is the Domain Name System (DNS). The DNS is responsible for translating human-readable domain names, like www.example.com, into IP addresses that computers use to communicate with each other.
Most internet service providers (ISPs) provide their own DNS servers by default. However, some users may prefer to use alternative DNS servers for various reasons. In this article, we will explore whether Firefox uses a different DNS server or if it relies on the default DNS server provided by your ISP.
The Default DNS Server
By default, Firefox, like most web browsers, uses the operating system’s configured DNS server. This means that whatever DNS server your operating system is set to use will be utilized by Firefox as well. When you type a website address into your browser’s address bar and hit enter, Firefox sends a request to the operating system’s configured DNS server to resolve the domain name into an IP address.
Changing the Default DNS Server
While Firefox uses the default DNS server by default, you have the option to change it to a different one if desired. This can be useful if you want to utilize a faster or more reliable DNS service or if you wish to bypass any potential restrictions imposed by your ISP.
To change the DNS server used by Firefox:
- Open Firefox and type about:config in the address bar.
- A warning message may appear. Click on “I accept the risk!”
to proceed.
- In the search bar at the top, type network.trr.mode.
- Double-click on the network.mode preference to edit it.
- A dialog box will appear. Enter one of the following values:
- 0: Default mode – Firefox uses the operating system’s configured DNS server.
- 1: Strict mode – Firefox exclusively uses the TRR (DNS over HTTPS) resolver.
- 2: TRR mode – Firefox uses the TRR resolver, but falls back to the operating system’s configured DNS server if necessary.
- Click “OK” to save the changes.
This allows you to override the default DNS server used by Firefox and specify a different one based on your preferences or requirements.
DNS Over HTTPS (DoH) in Firefox
In recent versions of Firefox, there is also support for DNS over HTTPS (DoH), which further enhances privacy and security by encrypting DNS requests. When DoH is enabled, Firefox sends DNS queries over an encrypted HTTPS connection to a DoH resolver instead of using unencrypted DNS lookups.
To enable DoH in Firefox:
- Open Firefox and type about:preferences#general in the address bar.
- In the “Network Settings” section, click on “Settings”.
- In the “Enable DNS over HTTPS” dropdown menu, select your preferred DoH provider or choose “Custom” and enter a specific DoH resolver URL.
- Click “OK” to save the changes.
Note:
Enabling DoH in Firefox does not change the DNS server used by your operating system. It only affects DNS resolution within the Firefox browser.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Firefox typically uses the default DNS server configured by your operating system. However, you have the option to change it within Firefox’s settings to a different DNS server of your choice. Furthermore, Firefox also supports DNS over HTTPS (DoH) for enhanced privacy and security.
Whether you stick with the default setup or opt for alternative options, understanding how DNS works and having control over your DNS settings can contribute to a better and more secure browsing experience.