When you connect to the internet, your computer uses a Domain Name System (DNS)—often called the "phonebook of the internet"—to translate human-friendly names like google.com into the IP addresses computers understand.
By default, your Internet Service Provider (ISP) assigns your DNS. However, ISP servers are often slow, log your browsing history for marketing, and lack advanced security features. Switching to a high-quality, free DNS provider can instantly make your browsing faster, more private, and free from intrusive advertisements.
Comparison of Leading Secure DNS Providers
Choosing the right provider depends on whether you prioritize speed, security, or total control.
| Provider | Key Strength | Features | Primary IP (IPv4) | Secondary IP (IPv4) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NextDNS | Customization | Blocks ads, trackers, and malicious sites; offers a dashboard for logs. | 45.90.28.0 | 45.90.30.0 |
| Cloudflare | Speed | Fastest resolution times globally; strictly privacy-focused. | 1.1.1.1 | 1.0.0.1 |
| Quad9 | Security | Not-for-profit; focuses on blocking malware and phishing threats. | 9.9.9.9 | 149.112.112.112 |
| Reliability | Extremely stable; massive global infrastructure; simple and effective. | 8.8.8.8 | 8.8.4.4 |
Pros and Cons of Third-Party DNS
Pros:
Enhanced Privacy: Most secure providers delete your logs within 24 hours or don't log your IP at all.
Security Filtering: Automatically blocks "phishing" sites designed to steal your passwords.
Ad & Tracker Blocking: Services like NextDNS can block ads system-wide, even in apps where browser extensions can't reach.
Improved Speed: Modern providers often have much lower latency than local ISPs.
Cons:
Setup Effort: Requires a one-time manual configuration on your device or router.
Potential for "Breaking" Sites: Aggressive ad-blocking can occasionally cause a website to load incorrectly (though this is rare).
Single Point of Failure: If the provider has an outage, you may lose internet access until you switch back.
Instructions for Windows 10 (Control Panel Method)
For Windows 10, the most reliable way to set a system-wide DNS is through the classic Control Panel.
Press
Win + R, typencpa.cpl, and hit Enter.Right-click your active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and select Properties.
Find and double-click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).
Select Use the following DNS server addresses.
Enter the Primary (Preferred) and Secondary (Alternate) addresses from the table above.
Click OK and then Close.
Instructions for Windows 11 (Settings App Method)
Windows 11 supports DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH), which encrypts your DNS requests so even your ISP can't see which sites you are visiting.
Go to Settings > Network & internet.
Select Wi-Fi or Ethernet (the one you are currently using).
Click on Hardware properties.
Next to DNS server assignment, click the Edit button.
Change the dropdown from Automatic (DHCP) to Manual and toggle IPv4 to On.
Enter your Preferred and Alternate DNS (e.g., Google:
8.8.8.8and8.8.4.4).Optional (Recommended): Set "DNS over HTTPS connection" to Encrypted only (DNS over HTTPS) for maximum privacy.
Click Save.
How to Verify Your Setup
To ensure your new settings are active, open the Command Prompt (type cmd in the search bar) and type:
ipconfig /all
Look for the DNS Servers line under your active adapter. If you see the numbers you entered (like 8.8.8.8), you are successfully protected!