All posts tagged: DNS

This is the self-hosted DNS server I wish someone had told me about sooner

This is the self-hosted DNS server I wish someone had told me about sooner

Published by skeptic

If you’ve been looking into self-hosted software, it won’t take you long to realize that you can self-host just about anything. From self-hosted Notion alternatives to file storage servers that can run even on Android, the self-hosting world is full of hidden gems that can change the way you work. And they can also change the way you approach your online privacy. Using a DNS-level blocker like Pi-hole, AdGuard, and more is a great way to protect your privacy and get a hold of who your devices are talking to. All self-hosted DNS servers you can find online are great at one thing or the other, but the Technitium DNS server is something I wish I had known about sooner. Related I set up Pi-hole on my home network, and the internet feels like a completely different place The many benefits of hosting your own DNS server and the control it gives you over your network. The DNS server I wish I’d found earlier Technitium deserves way more attention Technitium DNS Server is a free, …

This Linux distro offers an easy DNS switcher – but there’s more to it that I like

This Linux distro offers an easy DNS switcher – but there’s more to it that I like

Published by skeptic

Jack Wallen and Elyse Betters Picaro/ZDNET ZDNET’s key takeaways iDealOS is an MXLinux-based distribution. You’ll get an easy-to-use DNS switcher and content filtering in Firefox. There’s plenty of preinstalled software, so you can hit the ground running. Blink, and a new Linux distribution will have appeared on the market, which I find to be fantastic. Choice is good, and Linux embodies the spirit of choice on every conceivable level. Take, iDealOS. This MXLinux-based distribution opts for the KDE Plasma desktop (in favor of Xfce), and offers two different versions: Emerald and Diamond. The difference is: Emerald Edition is completely free and fully functional. Diamond Edition is available to anyone who supports the project with a small donation. This version includes preinstalled applications for producing audio, video, and images, and professional tools to support your business, your imagination, and your creativity. Also: The best Linux laptops As far as I can tell, there is no difference between the two editions, other than that the Diamond flavor makes it easy to donate to the project. After installing and …

I finally escaped my ISP’s DNS lock-in with this device-level trick

I finally escaped my ISP’s DNS lock-in with this device-level trick

Published by skeptic

Your ISP is your gatekeeper to the internet. Everything you do online goes through your internet service provider, be that online gaming, streaming, AI, or otherwise. That gives your ISP serious control over what you do online, let alone the fact that it can see most of what you do online. But there is a better way: a custom DNS. The problem is that some ISPs send you a router and modem and lock it down, meaning you’re completely locked to its network settings, no matter what they are. However, there is a workaround — it takes a little time, but it’s well worth doing if you want faster internet speeds and better online privacy for all of your devices. There are “levels” to DNS on your devices and router Take back control When you type a website address into your browser, your device has to translate that name into an IP address using DNS. The process starts locally. First, your system checks the hosts file, a small list of manually defined domain-to-IP mappings. If …

How to change your DNS service on a Windows PC or Mac – and why you should

How to change your DNS service on a Windows PC or Mac – and why you should

Published by skeptic

Lance Whitney / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET’s key takeaways Changing your DNS can improve speed, security, and privacy across devices. You can switch DNS settings in Windows, MacOS, or directly on your router. Popular DNS options include Google, Cloudflare, OpenDNS, and Comodo. The DNS, or Domain Name System, serves as a phone book for the internet, translating between IP addresses and domain names. By default, your home Windows PC or Mac uses whatever DNS server is set up by your internet provider. But you don’t have to stick with that server. Also: Why I always encrypt my web browsing – and the top free secure DNS services I trust Why would you want to change it? Here are a few reasons. Faster performance. Some ISPs are better than others. But in general, a third-party DNS service may offer speedier and more reliable performance than your own ISP. Better security. Some third-party services can automatically block malicious websites and even provide parental controls to help …

This is the DNS upgrade most people don’t know they need

This is the DNS upgrade most people don’t know they need

Published by skeptic

We don’t bother to change our internet settings and generally accept whatever defaults we’re given. We believe the DNS provided by our ISP is sufficient to keep us anonymous. If nothing is out of place, pages load well, and apps can connect, there isn’t an urgent need to change DNS. However, the more I paid attention to what DNS can actually control, the more I realized that early tweaks for speed and privacy only scratch the surface. Realizing that DNS is more than a background setting, I tried Control D, a modern, customizable DNS service. It brought clarity, and I started to understand why certain Internet pain points persist. Most DNS services stop at resolution Control D treats DNS as a decision layer The main job of traditional DNS is to translate domain names into IP addresses. This way, your device always knows where to connect. However, with some services, you get extras such as blocking malicious domains and content filtering. These are useful features, but that’s also as far as most DNS services go. …