When it comes to browsing the internet, one of the most important factors that can affect your overall experience is the DNS server you use. DNS stands for Domain Name System, and it is responsible for converting human-readable domain names into IP addresses that computers can understand.
Why Does DNS Matter?
Every time you visit a website, your device needs to look up the IP address associated with that domain name. This process is done by contacting a DNS server. The speed and reliability of this server can significantly impact how quickly your device can load websites.
Fast and reliable DNS servers are crucial for minimizing website loading times and providing a smooth browsing experience.
What Makes a DNS Server Fast and Reliable?
The speed and reliability of a DNS server depend on several factors:
- Response Time: A fast DNS server responds quickly to requests, reducing the time it takes to resolve domain names.
- Uptime: A reliable DNS server has minimal downtime, ensuring that it is always available to process requests.
- Anycast Routing: Anycast routing allows multiple servers to share the same IP address. When you make a request, it is automatically routed to the nearest available server, reducing latency.
- DNS Caching: Caching stores previously resolved domain names, allowing quicker access in subsequent requests.
The Fastest and Most Reliable DNS Servers
If you want to improve your browsing experience by using a faster and more reliable DNS server, here are some options:
1. Google Public DNS
Google Public DNS is a free DNS service provided by Google. It offers fast response times and high reliability. The IP addresses for Google Public DNS are:
- IPv4: 8.8.8 and 8.4.4
- IPv6: 2001:4860:4860::8888 and 2001:4860:4860::8844
2. Cloudflare DNS
Cloudflare DNS is another popular choice known for its speed and security features. The IP addresses for Cloudflare DNS are:
- IPv4: 1.1.1 and 1.0.1
- IPv6: 2606:4700:4700::1111 and 2606:4700:4700::1001
3. OpenDNS
OpenDNS provides both free and paid DNS services with various additional features such as content filtering and phishing protection. The IP addresses for OpenDNS are:
- IPv4: 208.67.222.222 and 208.220.220
- IPv6: Not available at the moment.
How to Change Your DNS Server?
To change your DNS server, follow these steps:
- In Windows:
- Go to the Control Panel.
- Select “Network and Internet. “
- Select “Network and Sharing Center. “
- Click on “Change adapter settings. “
- Right-click on your network connection and select “Properties.
“
- Select “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” or “Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)” depending on your preference.
- Click on “Properties. “
- Select “Use the following DNS server addresses. “
- Enter the IP addresses of the DNS servers you want to use.
- Click “OK” to save the changes.
- In macOS:
- Go to “System Preferences. “
- Select “Network. “
- Select your network connection from the left-hand sidebar.
- Click on the “Advanced” button.
- Go to the “DNS” tab.
Delete any existing DNS servers by selecting them and clicking the “-” button.
Add new DNS servers by clicking the “+” button and entering their IP addresses.
Click “OK” to save the changes. - In Linux:
Edit “/etc/resolv.conf” file using a text editor.
Add a line like: nameserver [DNS Server IP Address]
Save and close the file. Note: Remember to keep a note of your original DNS server settings in case you want to revert the changes or encounter any issues.
By changing your DNS server to a faster and more reliable one, you can enjoy improved browsing speeds and an overall better internet experience. Experiment with different DNS servers to find the one that works best for you!