How Do You Use a Pi-Hole DNS Server?

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Scott Campbell

In this tutorial, we will learn how to use a Pi-Hole DNS server. Pi-Hole is a network-wide ad blocker that acts as a DNS sinkhole. It blocks ads at the DNS level, which means it can block ads on any device connected to your network.

What is a Pi-Hole DNS Server?

A Pi-Hole DNS server is a Raspberry Pi-based device that acts as a network-wide ad blocker. It intercepts domain name resolution requests and filters out ad-serving domains, preventing ads from being displayed on any device connected to your network.

Setting up the Pi-Hole

To set up a Pi-Hole DNS server, you will need:

  • A Raspberry Pi board
  • A microSD card with Raspbian installed
  • An Ethernet cable
  • A power supply for the Raspberry Pi

Once you have all the required hardware, follow these steps:

  1. Insert the microSD card into the Raspberry Pi.
  2. Connect one end of the Ethernet cable to your router and the other end to the Ethernet port on the Raspberry Pi.
  3. Connect the power supply to the Raspberry Pi and plug it into an electrical outlet.
  4. Login to your Raspberry Pi using SSH or directly connect it to a monitor and keyboard.
  5. Update your system by running: sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
  6. Install Pi-Hole by running: curl -sSL https://install.pi-hole.net | bash
  7. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

Configuring Pi-Hole

Once the installation is complete, you can configure Pi-Hole by accessing its web interface. Open a web browser and enter the IP address of your Raspberry Pi followed by /admin. For example, if your Raspberry Pi’s IP address is 192.168.1.100, enter http://192.100/admin.

Whitelisting and Blacklisting Domains

In the Pi-Hole web interface, you can whitelist or blacklist specific domains to customize your ad-blocking experience.

To whitelist a domain:

  1. Login to the Pi-Hole admin panel.
  2. Navigate to “Whitelist” in the left-hand menu.
  3. Enter the domain you want to whitelist in the “Add a domain” field and click “Add”.

To blacklist a domain:

  1. Login to the Pi-Hole admin panel.
  2. Navigate to “Blacklist” in the left-hand menu.
  3. Enter the domain you want to blacklist in the “Add a domain” field and click “Add”.

Updating Blocklists

Pi-Hole uses blocklists to determine which domains should be blocked. It is recommended to regularly update these blocklists for optimal performance.

  1. Login to the Pi-Hole admin panel.
  2. Navigate to “Settings” in the left-hand menu.
  3. Click on “Blocklists” tab.
  4. Click on “Update” to update the blocklists.

Using Pi-Hole as your DNS Server

To use Pi-Hole as your DNS server, you need to configure your network settings to point to the IP address of your Raspberry Pi. This can usually be done through your router’s settings.

Note: Once you have set up Pi-Hole as your DNS server, all devices connected to your network will benefit from ad-blocking without any additional configuration on those devices.

Conclusion

Setting up and using a Pi-Hole DNS server is a great way to block ads across all devices on your network. With its easy installation and configuration process, you can enjoy an ad-free browsing experience and enhance privacy on your network.

4 Related Question Answers Found

What Is Pi-Hole DNS Server?

What Is Pi-Hole DNS Server? Are you tired of seeing ads everywhere you go on the internet? Do you want to enhance your online privacy and security?

How Do I Use Pi-Hole as Local DNS Server?

Are you tired of seeing ads everywhere you go on the internet? Do you wish there was a way to block those pesky ads at the network level, so they don’t even make it to your devices? Well, look no further than Pi-Hole, a fantastic open-source software that acts as a local DNS server and ad blocker all in one!

What Is the DNS Server for Pi-Hole?

What Is the DNS Server for Pi-Hole? When setting up a Pi-Hole, one of the key configurations you need to make is choosing a DNS server. The DNS server is responsible for translating human-readable domain names into IP addresses that computers can understand.

Is Pi-Hole DNS Server?

A DNS server is a crucial component of the internet infrastructure that translates domain names into IP addresses. Pi-hole is a DNS server solution that offers advanced features and enhanced privacy for your network. What is Pi-Hole?

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