When your ISP first sets up your Internet connection, it will also set the default network settings for you. And with these default network settings comes a specific configuration, called the Domain Name System (DNS), which is critical to your online connectivity.
For most ISPs, however, the security or privacy of your DNS isn't a priority; this, however, leaves you susceptible to all kinds of security problems: DNS hijacking; cache poisoning, etc. are just a few examples that come to mind.
In this article, we'll cover how to get around this by changing the default Windows 11 DNS settings. So let's get started.
How to change DNS settings in Windows 11
A Domain Name System (DNS) translates human-readable domain names into IP addresses so that browsers can load web pages on the screen. In most cases, when you get a new internet connection, your ISP sets one up for you.
However, aside from the default DNS server provided by your ISP, you have a number of good options to choose from.
For example, it has been providing free DNS services since 2009, which they describe as an effort to make the web faster and more secure. and they are also some of the best alternatives for a more secure and faster DNS service. Below we have provided the IP addresses for the individual public DNS.
To get started with the DNS switch, do the following:
- Go up Settings of Windows ( Win + I ) and go up Rete and Internet .
- Select Advanced network settings .
- From there, click on the network card available under the option Network cards . For example, if you are using an Ethernet connection, select it. Likewise, choose Wi-Fi if you use the internet over Wi-Fi.
- click on View additional properties .
- Now select the button Modification in front of the DNS server assignment.
- In Change DNS settings , click your Manual and choose the IPv4 or IPv6 setting.
We have chosen the IPv4 setting for this example. Also, please note that as soon as you activate IPv4, you will get a new set of blank fields to fill in. They are Preferred DNS, Preferred DNS Encryption, and Alternate DNS.
Here are the DNS and alternate DNS numbers from Cloudflare, Google, and OpenDNS, which you can use for your new DNS server:
- Cloudflare: 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1
- Google: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4
- opendns: 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220
In the example above, we used Google's DNS. You can choose any DNS server you want to use, enter the numbers in the appropriate blank fields and click Save . In seconds, your Windows 11 DNS settings will be changed.
Changing DNS settings on Windows 11
DNS is a fundamental component of the modern Internet. And while ISPs provide us with a default automatic DNS configuration, you may want to take matters into your own hands if you want more security. Using the simple method described above, you can change your DNS settings smoothly and keep your systems secure.
