The Internet works on the Domain Name System. DNS is responsible for translating the IP address like (119.235.53.59) to TechDipper.com and routes the domain name to the devices. This process, technically, is not easy to understand but, we’ll try to put it in a better way.
What Is DNS And How Does It Work?
When you type a simple URL into your browser’s address bar, the search request connects your phone to a DNS server. The DNS server decodes the alphabets you entered with the website’s IP address. The problem with DNS is, it isn’t equipped with security features, meaning your search queries are not secure.
Hence, the connections are unencrypted, which means there’s a higher chance of encountering man-in-the-middle attacks. You might have seen warnings online that told you not to connect to Wi-Fi networks you don’t trust. If you link to an unknown network, the hackers can reroute your DNS requests to wicked websites where your info could be exposed and sold.
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The Problem
Many ISPs and wireless carriers aren’t using HTTPS and TLS security tools (these tools encrypt communication between your phone and the DNS server), increasing the chances of attacks. ISPs sell your DNS logs to advertisers and make money. To prevent this from happening, you will need a private DNS.
How Does A Private DNS Works?
Google added support for DNS over TLS and Private DNS in Android 9. Other DNS servers have many advantages as opposed to DNS servers of your ISP. Many third-party DNS servers will not take your data. Many servers support DoT and DoH. Hence, your data is encrypted and secure.
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Before Android 9 originally came out, the only way to use private DNS was to configure manually for every saved Wi-Fi network stored in your device or using a local VPN. Another limitation was, it would only work on Wi-Fi, and your phone on cellular data would still be vulnerable. After the support was added, it was appreciated by many power users who were concerned about security.
Using Private DNS
You need to go to the Settings –> Wi-Fi and Internet. Select Private DNS, and you will see three options. Select Private DNS provider hostname and enter the hostname. We’ll be using CloudFlare’s private DNS because it’s the most common one out there. Also, Cloudflare supports DoH and DoT, and you can access the servers for free. An excellent alternative for DNS is VPN.
With increasing malicious attacks over the past few years, internet security has become a significant concern. In this period, small steps towards making yourself secure are essential.
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