How to change your DNS settings?

How to change your DNS settings? People use the internet to get information throughout the day without giving it much attention. A critical step in the process occurs when a person types the address of the website they wish to visit into the address bar of their preferred browser. While computers and the internet use names as numerical addresses, humans refer to websites by their names.

It’s good that we don’t have to know the IP address of every website we wish to visit. Instead, a procedure is in place that can translate a website input into the browser into the IP address. The Domain Name System, sometimes known as DNS (opens in a new tab), is the name of this procedure.

What is the DNS?

The DNS functions like an online phone book. It works to transform data typed into the browser into a numerical IP address, which is a string of integers separated by decimal points so that the data may be worked on over the internet.

Popular websites with high concurrent user counts, like amazon.com or google.com, will use various IP addresses to support a vast user base. An end user doesn’t worry about the IP address they are receiving data from as long as they can access the website of their choice.

What is the DNS by default?

Most consumers have no idea whose DNS they use to answer hostname queries. Instead, it occurs when a customer orders the “House wine” at a restaurant and pays little attention to anything other than whether it is red or white after the glass comes.

As a result, most users utilize the DNS’s default setting. Your Internet service provider (ISP) offers this default DNS so inexperienced and seasoned users may access one that will work without more consideration.

Why Change the DNS Settings?

Let’s first consider the more fundamental philosophical challenge raised here before moving on to how to modify the DNS. Specifically, why would we wish to switch from the ISP’s default DNS to a different one?

There are some excellent reasons, in fact:

•  A third-party DNS may be more reliable and quicker than the default one. This may be because the ISP’s DNS server is overburdened with queries or because the third-party DNS server is closer in terms of distance. In either scenario, switching to a different one is worthwhile to test whether browsing performance improves. The Google Public DNS is frequently praised for its speed and has an easy-to-remember server address of 8.8.8.8.

• A DNS provider claims it provides superior security and lowers the risk of visiting a known phishing website. For instance, OpenDNS offers filtering that is both adjustable and capable of blocking pornographic content. It is owned by Cisco and provides both free and premium levels for even better security.

• Geo-spoofing via a VPN has been used to access geo-restricted content, such as streaming BBC programs in the US or allowing UK users to access US Netflix.

However, using a DNS in the nation where the material is hosted is an alternate way. The user seems to be in the country where the material is, and it may be viewed as soon as the hostname request is answered.

Therefore, learning how to switch to a new DNS might have some exciting advantages.

How to change your DNS settings?

Thankfully, replacing the DNS is not a challenging operation.

For Windows 10, follow these steps in order:

• Go to the Windows 10 Start Menu, which is by default located in the lower left corner.
• Search for the gear-shaped symbol, which is situated above the power icon and underneath images. The word “Settings” shows when you mouse over it; click to choose it.
• Select the “Network & Internet” icon.
• Search for “Advanced Network Options” around halfway down the page. Choose the first option listed there, “Change Adapter Options.”
• Once you’ve found the adapter making the connection—ethernet for a wired connection or the active wireless adapter for a wireless connection—click it. Inactive links will have a red X, so avoid clicking them. After finding the functional relationship, right-click it and choose the final option, “Properties.”
• Double-click “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” under the Networking choices.
• If you have never done this previously, you will find that it is set to “Obtain DNS Server Address automatically,” which defaults to the ISP’s DNS.
• Using the following DNS server addresses is the choice that is provided below this. Make this your choice.
• Below these are places for a preferred and an alternative DNS server address. In general, you should input both since there is a backup DNS resolution option in case the first one isn’t functioning correctly.
• To save this modification, click “Ok.”

We have successfully replaced the DNS on a Windows 10 PC!

Changing the DNS is straightforward when you follow the following step-by-step instructions. The numerous advantages mentioned above make it a specific activity that even a rookie user can complete. Savvy users are aware that they are no longer required to use their ISP’s “Good enough” DNS and can instead choose a different DNS that may be quicker or more secure.

It will help if you read our previous article on smartphones.