Which Third-Party DNS Server Should You Use?

Which Third-Party DNS Server Should You Use?

Which Third-Party DNS Server Should You Use?

If you want to use a third-party DNS server, some of the best options are the Google Public DNS, Cloudflare, and OpenDNS. Each of these providers has a primary and secondary DNS address that you can use.

  • Google Public DNS: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4
  • Cloudflare: 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1
  • OpenDNS: 208.67.222.123 and 208.67.220.123

Google’s Public DNS is one of the most popular addresses because it is so easy to remember. However, it is important to note that Google does keep a log of the IP addresses that use its servers for one to two days to help with diagnostics and troubleshooting. There could also be some long-lasting logs, but Google claims that it doesn’t store any personal information. So, if you care about privacy, you might want to use another DNS address.

Cloudflare is also a popular choice because of the speed and privacy it offers. Cloudflare promises that it won’t use your data or log your IP address. There’s also a 24-hour deletion system wherein data gets removed on a daily basis. Cloudflare also has an active community forum that you can rely on any time you have questions about its services.

OpenDNS is a fine choice if you want an experienced DNS provider. It blocks phishing sites by default, and you can configure parental controls for free by visiting its website. OpenDNS also offers commercial plans that come with a bunch of other great perks, such as access to up to one year of your internet activity history.

    • Related Articles

    • How to Change Your DNS Settings on a Mac

      How to Change Your DNS Server on a Mac To change your DNS server on a Mac, go to System Preferences > Network. Then select a connection and click Advanced. Next, select the DNS tab and click the plus sign. Finally, enter a DNS address and ...
    • How to Change Your DNS Settings on Windows 10

      How to Change Your DNS Server on Windows 10 and Mac Changing the default DNS settings on your computer can improve your online privacy, security, and browsing speed. If you’re a parent, changing your DNS server can also block your children from ...
    • How to Set a Static IP Address for a Windows 10 PC

      How to Set a Static IP Address for a Windows 10 PC There are many reasons why you might want to set a static IP address for your Windows 10 PC. In most cases, your router will assign your computer a dynamic IP address, meaning it changes from time to ...
    • What Factors May Impact My SpeedTest Result

      What factors may impact my Speedtest result? This document is an extract directly from Ookla's speedtest.net knowledgebase the full article can be found here Speedtest measures the speed between your device and a test server, using your device's ...
    • Why Are My Speed Test Results Lower Than My Bandwidth Package

      Why Am I Not Getting The Advertised Speed That I'm Paying For When I Run A Speed Test? There are quite a few  Devices (phones, tablets, PCs, etc…) can have very different Wi-Fi and cellular radio capabilities. This means you might get one Speedtest ...