DNS servers are basically databases with URL addresses and their corresponding IP address. When you connect to the internet to access services or web pages, what you use are URL addresses, so you must have a DNS server configured on your PC or mobile phone to navigate comfortably without having to remember what the address was.
Have you ever wondered what the DNS server that you use on your device to navigate is? By default, the DNS server you use is the one automatically provided by your teleoperator, but there are many more.
The best free and public DNS to surf the internet in 2021
The main reason for using alternative DNS – whether public or private – is usually privacy, since by changing the DNS, your Internet operator will no longer be able to control or keep a record of the pages you visit.
Changing DNS can also offer other benefits, such as faster browsing speeds or unblocking restricted pages. Here’s a look at some of the most popular free public DNS in 2021.
1- Google DNS
Google’s public DNS servers are one of the longest-running and also one of the most popular. If you want to improve the connection speed offered by your Internet provider’s DNS, take a look at Google’s DNS.
Primary DNS: 8.8.8.8 | Secondary DNS: 8.8.4.4
2- OpenDNS
Another of the best public DNS servers that you can find right now. In this case, the servers are provided by the CISCO company and are focused on offering greater speed and security. One of its most outstanding details is that it automatically blocks malicious pages, and it also uses Anycast technology to redirect your traffic to the closest DNS servers.
Primary DNS: 208.67.222.222 | Secondary DNS: 208.67.220.220 | Visit OpenDNS website
3- Cloudflare DNS
Cloudflare’s free DNS is definitely geared towards speed improvement. They offer a global response time of 14ms, compared to 20ms for OpenDNS and 24ms for Google DNS. It also supports DNS over TLS and DNS over HTTPS.
Primary DNS: 1.1.1.1 | Secondary DNS: 1.0.0.1 | Visit official wen
4- IBM Quad9
IBM’s alternative DNS stands out for its privacy orientation. Although they are not as fast as Cloudflare or Google, they help us make our browsing cleaner and safer. It does not record user requests, and all inquiries are handled through an IBM X-Force artificial intelligence engine responsible for identifying any threats on the network.
Primary DNS: 9.9.9.9 | Secondary DNS: 149.112.112.112 | Visit Quad9 website
5- Neustar UltraDNS Public
Formerly known as Verisign DNS, Neustar DNS servers are designed to offer greater stability and security features than those provided by default by your Internet provider. They also don’t sell user data to third parties or use it to profit from personalized ads, which is all very well.
It offers 3 types or levels of protection: without filters, with specific blocks for malware, or with child blocking for pages not recommended for minors. For more information, visit the Neustar website.
1. Primary DNS: 64.6.64.6 | Secondary DNS: 64.6.65.6 (Unfiltered level)
2. Primary DNS: 156.154.70.2 | Secondary DNS: 156.154.71.2 (Threat Protection Level)
3. Primary DNS: 156.154.70.3 | Secondary DNS: 156.154.71.3 (Child protection level)
6- Comodo Secure DNS
Comodo offers a highly available, geo-distributed, cloud-based DNS service. It uses Anycast technology in its infrastructure and, by default, offers protection against phishing and malware attacks. With servers in more than 25 countries, it is one of the best DNS to get a good Internet connection speed.
Primary DNS: 8.26.56.26 | Secondary DNS: 8.20.247.20
7- OpenNIC
OpenNIC is a DNS service created to fight Internet censorship and is maintained by volunteers. It also offers protection against “DNS hijacking,” which is when you misspell a URL and instead load a search page owned by your Internet provider.
Primary DNS: 134.195.4.2 | Secondary DNS: 198.50.135.212 | Note: OpenNIC has many DNS servers that you can configure. These are only two of the available ones. You can see the full list on the OpenNIC website.
8- Yandex.DNS
Yandex servers are located in Russia, so it can be a good service if you live in nearby regions. It uses servers with a high level of availability (99.95%) and offers 3 levels of protection (basic, security, and family filter). It also has blocks against malware, adware, and dangerous pages with possible viruses.
Primary DNS: 77.88.8.8 | Secondary DNS: 77.88.8.1
9- DNS.Watch
DNS.Watch has 2 servers located in Germany, so it is a good service if you live in Europe and want to have a good connection speed. It offers uncensored internet connection, which also means that you have less protection against malware and harmful pages.
The servers are maintained by donations, so your data is not recorded or sold to third parties for financial gain.
Primary DNS: 84.200.69.80 | Secondary DNS: 84.200.70.40 | Visit DNS.Watch website
10- UncensoredDNS
As its name indicates, it is about two DNS servers without any censorship, with total and free access to the Internet. This is a personal project developed by Steen Rasmussen, a Danish systems administrator. The project supports it with its own money, for which it uses an Anycast server with access from multiple locations and a secondary node located in Copenhagen.
Primary DNS: 91.239.100.100 | Secondary DNS: 89.233.43.71 | Visit UncensoredDNS website
