What is private DNS? A complete guide

What is private DNS?

Private DNS is an online privacy measure that encrypts your domain name system (DNS) queries. With your DNS queries encrypted, eavesdroppers and internet service providers (ISPs) can’t see which websites you visit.*

But what is DNS and how does it work? Let’s recap. When you type a web address into the address bar of your web browser, your computer sends a DNS query to a DNS server to find the corresponding IP address for the site you want to visit. DNS servers translate human-friendly domain names into computer-friendly IP addresses. For example, the NordVPN website uses the nordvpn.com domain name that corresponds to a numerical IP address 104.19.159.190.

Typically, the process of sending DNS queries to DNS servers isn’t encrypted, meaning they’re visible to your ISP and potential eavesdroppers. But when you connect to a private DNS server, it encrypts these queries and creates a secure path that hides this information from anyone monitoring your internet connection.

*ISPs and other network observers might still infer which websites you visit based on the IP addresses your device connects to unless you use additional privacy tools, such as a VPN.

How private DNS works

We’ve already established what private DNS does — it sends DNS queries through an encrypted tunnel, shielding it from prying eyes. Now, let’s examine the role of a private DNS in more detail. Let’s say you’re looking up NordVPN — so what happens next, and when does a private DNS server come in?

1. You type a domain name (e.g., nordvpn.com) into your web browser.
2. Your computer sends a DNS request to a DNS server to find the corresponding IP address for that domain.
3. The DNS request is sent over the internet to the DNS server, which could be provided by your ISP or a third party like Google Public DNS or Cloudflare DNS.
4. The DNS server finds the IP address associated with the domain name and sends it back to your computer.
5. The DNS response is sent over the internet to the DNS server, which could be provided by your ISP or a third party like Google Public DNS or Cloudflare DNS.
6. Your computer provides the IP address to the web browser, letting it know where to connect.
7. Your ISP routes the browser’s connection request to the server at that IP address.
8. The web server responds, sending the website data back through the ISP to your browser.
9. Your browser displays the website on your screen.

When using a private DNS server, your ISP still routes your requests and responses. However, the DNS queries are encrypted, so the ISP cannot see the specific domain names you’re looking up.

While the ISP can tell that your device is connecting to a DNS server and accessing various IP addresses, it won’t know which websites or domains you’re specifically requesting. This encryption protects your browsing habits from being easily tracked at the DNS level.

Benefits of using private DNS

More privacy is one of the main benefits you can enjoy when you enable private DNS on your device. With your DNS requests encrypted, your ISP or potential snoopers on the network will not see which websites you’re accessing.

Another benefit is protection from DNS spoofing which is, essentially, the manipulation of DNS records to redirect users to malicious websites. Encrypting your DNS requests makes it much harder for cybercriminals to intercept or manipulate them. This helps ensure you’re connecting to legitimate websites, adding a layer of safety against phishing attacks.

Many ISPs log DNS queries to build user profiles and track browsing behavior. Private DNS interferes with this process by hiding your queries, limiting the data that your ISP can collect about you. This means fewer ads and recommendations based on your browsing.

Use cases of private DNS

It’s useful to configure private DNS on your mobile devices, especially if you hop between networks throughout the day. With private DNS enabled, your mobile device keeps DNS queries encrypted, so whether you’re browsing on cellular data or public Wi-Fi, your browsing activity remains private. For example, a private DNS for Android is easy to set up and use to improve your browsing security.

Many smart home devices rely on DNS to communicate with their servers, and private DNS can add a layer of protection to these internet of things devices. By using private DNS, you help shield smart devices like cameras, speakers, and thermostats from DNS-based attacks and similar cyber threats.

Private DNS is also helpful if you’re looking to reduce targeted ads and online tracking. Companies often use DNS requests to build profiles based on your browsing behavior, but private DNS encryption prevents data collectors from accessing these insights. This results in fewer targeted ads and less data profiling.

You might also want to change DNS servers once in a while for several reasons, including better speed, privacy, and website performance.

Private DNS protocols

Private DNS protocols ensure that DNS requests remain secure and private by encrypting them as they travel across the internet. These protocols prevent third parties, like ISPs or snoopers, from intercepting or tracking DNS queries.

DNS over TLS

DNS over TLS (DoT) encrypts DNS requests using the TLS protocol, which is also used to secure HTTPS websites. By wrapping DNS queries in TLS, DoT keeps your browsing private from anyone monitoring your network. It’s particularly useful on open or public Wi-Fi networks, where unsecured DNS requests are easy to intercept.

DNS over HTTPS

DNS over HTTPS (DoH) functions similarly to DoT but wraps DNS queries in HTTPS. By using the same protocol that secures web traffic, DoH allows DNS queries to blend in with other HTTPS data, which makes it even harder for third parties to detect and intercept.

DNSCrypt

DNSCrypt encrypts DNS queries with its own protocol, ensuring that third parties can’t intercept them or tamper with them. DNSCrypt focuses on authenticating DNS responses — it verifies that the responses come from a trusted DNS server and haven’t been altered by attackers. This protocol is ideal if you’re looking for both privacy and strong assurance against DNS spoofing or tampering.

DNS over QUIC

DNS over QUIC (DoQ) encrypts DNS requests using the QUIC transport protocol, which is also designed for secure and low-latency internet connections. By sending DNS queries over QUIC, DoQ minimizes connection setup times and reduces latency, making it ideal for mobile and high-speed networks. The protocol also offers resilience against packet loss and congestion, which ensures a smoother, faster browsing experience even under challenging network conditions.

Using DoH, DoT, DNSCrypt, and DoQ reduces the risk of DNS leaks, but you’ll need additional safeguards to fully prevent these leaks, for example, a reliable VPN service.

Should private DNS be off or automatic?

No one-size-fits-all answer exists to whether private DNS should be off or set to automatic because it ultimately depends on your needs and the network environment. It’s generally recommended to enable private DNS (set to “automatic”) on most of your personal devices, especially when you connect to both home and public Wi-Fi networks during the day. This setup helps prevent tracking and snooping.

However, in specific situations — such as when a network has strict requirements or experiences performance issues — you may need to turn it off temporarily.

Private DNS settings are easy to find and activate on your device:

1. Open your device’s “Settings” and choose “Connections” or “Network and internet,” or a similar option.
2. Tap “More connection settings” if the DNS option is not immediately available.
3. Select “Private DNS.”
4. You can either turn it off, set it to “Automatic,” or select the “Private DNS provider hostname and type in the provider’s hostname. Once you’ve chosen an option, tap “Save.”

That’s it! Now you know how to enable private DNS to have more privacy online.