How to dns over https

What is DNS?

The Domain Name System (DNS) is often called the phonebook of the internet. It translates human-readable website names, like www.example.com, into machine-readable IP addresses, such as 192.0.2.1. When you type a web address into your browser, your computer sends a DNS query to a DNS resolver. This resolver then looks up the corresponding IP address and sends it back to your computer, allowing your browser to connect to the website.

Why is Traditional DNS Insecure?

Traditionally, DNS queries are sent in plain text. This means that anyone on the same network – including your Internet Service Provider (ISP), network administrators, or malicious actors on public Wi-Fi – can see which websites you are trying to visit. This information can be used for tracking, censorship, or targeted advertising. It also makes DNS queries vulnerable to manipulation, where an attacker could redirect you to a fake website.

What is DNS over HTTPS (DoH)?

DNS over HTTPS (DoH) is a protocol that encrypts DNS queries using the HTTPS protocol, the same protocol used for secure web browsing. Instead of sending DNS requests in plain text over UDP or TCP port 53, DoH sends them as encrypted HTTPS requests over TCP port 443. This encryption makes it significantly harder for anyone snooping on your network to intercept and read your DNS traffic.

How Does DoH Enhance Privacy and Security?

By encrypting your DNS queries, DoH provides several key benefits:

• Privacy: It prevents your ISP, network administrators, and others on the network from seeing which websites you visit. This limits tracking and profiling based on your browsing habits.
• Security: DoH helps protect against DNS spoofing and man-in-the-middle attacks. By encrypting the traffic, it ensures that the DNS responses you receive are authentic and haven't been tampered with.
• Circumvention: In some regions or networks where DNS-based censorship is employed, DoH can help bypass these restrictions by making the DNS queries unreadable to the censoring entity.

How to Enable DNS over HTTPS

Enabling DoH typically involves configuring your device or browser to use a DoH-compatible DNS resolver. The exact steps vary depending on your operating system and browser.

Enabling DoH in Web Browsers:

Most modern web browsers have built-in support for DoH. You usually need to navigate to the browser's settings or network configuration section.

• Google Chrome: Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Security. Scroll down to 'Advanced' and toggle on 'Use secure DNS'. You can then choose a provider from the dropdown list or enter a custom one.
• Mozilla Firefox: Go to Settings > General > Network Settings. Click 'Settings...' and check the box for 'Enable DNS over HTTPS'. You can choose a provider or enter a custom one.
• Microsoft Edge: Similar to Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy, search, and services. Under 'Security', toggle on 'Use secure DNS to specify how to lookup the network address for websites' and select your preferred provider.

Enabling DoH in Operating Systems:

Some operating systems also allow you to configure DoH system-wide, meaning all applications on your device will use it.

• Windows 11: Go to Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi (or Ethernet) > Hardware properties. Under 'DNS server assignment', click 'Edit'. Select 'Manual', enable IPv4 or IPv6, and enter the IP addresses of a DoH-compatible DNS server. You will then need to configure your DNS client to use DoH. This is often done via the command line or third-party tools.
• macOS: macOS does not have native DoH support built into the standard network settings. Users typically need to rely on browser-level DoH settings or use third-party applications.
• Android: Go to Settings > Network & internet > Advanced > Private DNS. Select 'Private DNS provider hostname' and enter the hostname of a DoH provider (e.g., dns.google).
• iOS: iOS supports DNS over TLS (DoT) natively but not DoH directly in the OS settings. Users can enable DoH via third-party apps or browser settings.

Choosing a DoH Resolver

When enabling DoH, you need to select a DNS resolver that supports the protocol. Some popular options include:

• Google Public DNS: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 (supports DoH)
• Cloudflare DNS: 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1 (supports DoH)
• Quad9: 9.9.9.9 (supports DoH and blocks malicious domains)

It's important to choose a resolver you trust, as they will see your DNS queries. Many privacy-focused organizations offer DoH services.

Limitations and Considerations

While DoH offers significant privacy and security improvements, it's not a complete solution for anonymity:

• Resolver Trust: You are essentially shifting trust from your ISP to your chosen DoH resolver. Ensure you select a reputable provider with a clear privacy policy.
• IP Address Visibility: DoH encrypts DNS queries but does not hide your IP address from the websites you visit. For IP address anonymity, you would need to use a VPN or the Tor network.
• Network Blocking: Some networks (e.g., corporate or school networks) may block DoH traffic to maintain control over network usage and security.
• Performance: In some cases, DoH might introduce slight latency compared to traditional DNS, although advancements are continuously improving performance.

In summary, DNS over HTTPS is a valuable tool for enhancing your online privacy and security by encrypting your DNS traffic. By configuring your browser or operating system, you can take a significant step towards a more secure internet experience.