The battle between DNS servers is heating up. The average user might not appreciate why DNS is important so, let’s review.
DNS is what converts the IP addresses on the web into readable text like google.com. Cloudflare calls DNS the phonebook of the Internet in their article titled “What is DNS? | How DNS Works.”
Image Credit: https://www.keycdn.com/support/what-is-a-dns-server
So what is this NextDNS vs Pi-hole battle brewing up?
Well, basically NextDNS is cloud based, and Pi-hole is something you can run locally on your own network at home or in your business. Both of these DNS servers help to ensure you have a safe and private experience on the Internet.
If privacy, parental controls, or security are important to your then maybe it is time to consider using a safer DNS server.
Using Pi-hole on your local network or NextDNS can make your Internet web experience much safer and more private.
We wrote about uBlock Origin vs AdBlocker vs Pi-hole back in 2019. As advocates of a privacy focused Internet, we at offthegridit recommend using uBlock and either Pi-hole, NextDNS, or at minimum 1.1.1.1
Tip: 1.1.1.1 works anywhere and is easy to remember. (NextDNS works anywhere also.)
One of the big differences when using NextDNS and Pi-hole is that you can log DNS requests so that you can see the history of how you were protected. While NextDNS keeps this history on the cloud, Pi-hole keeps it on a device on your private network.
Tip:
- Use uBlock Origin in all your browsers
- Use one of the DNS servers on our better DNS server list
Better DNS Server List:
Privacy focused – Cloudflare:
DNS server 1: 1.1.1.1
Instructions: https://1.1.1.1/dns/
NextDNS:
DNS server 1: 45.90.28.205
DNS server 2: 45.90.30.205
Google:
DNS server 1: 8.8.8.8
Better than using Comcast or AT&T DNS server, but not privacy focused.
Most people just use the DNS server from their Internet provider without giving it much thought. Once people realize the importance of DNS to your privacy and security is when they start to consider a better DNS server.
The DNS server is usually specified on your router/firewall. If you just use your Internet provider’s equipment like AT&T or Comcast then the equipment they provide will use their own DNS server.
For example if you are on Comcast you would more than likely use:
Comcast DNS Servers
DNS Server # 1 75.75.75.75
DNS server # 2 76.76.76.76
The reason you normally should have 2 DNS servers is in case one goes down and is not available.
Another example, if you have AT&T as your Internet provider your DNS servers might be specified as:
68.94.156.1
68.94.157.1
We are from the old school PacBell (Pacific Bell) days in California, so I remember when AT&T customers used 206.13.28.12 and 206.13.29.12!
DNS is easy
DNS numbers are easy to remember once you type them in several hundred times. We have been typing them in since 1992.
Cloudflare DNS server
DNS servers from the privacy focused Cloudflare are 1.1.1.1
What is 1.1.1.1 https://www.cloudflare.com/learning/dns/what-is-1.1.1.1/
Google DNS server
Google’s DNS server is 8.8.8.8
Get technical
So, you want to get a bit more technical with DNS? Check out these links below:
What about private DNS servers?
And finally, in a corporate environment or in a business or organization you may have internal DNS servers that are used to resolve (find) links or servers on internal networks. Many times these networks will use what is called split DNS, which means you use both an external DNS server like Google’s and an internal server to find private internal servers.
Finally, stay safe and use good practices to ensure your privacy on the Internet. Staying away from unsafe sites and Malvertising can keep your computer and mobile device running better.