REDZULU2003
06-28-10, 12:53 PM
I'll just get stuck in.
DNS = Domain Name Server
(1) Short for Domain Name System (or Service or Server), an Internet service that translates domain names into IP addresses. Because domain names are alphabetic, they're easier to remember. The Internet however, is really based on IP addresses. Every time you use a domain name, therefore, a DNS service must translate the name into the corresponding IP address. For example, the domain name www.example.com might translate to 198.105.232.4.
The DNS system is, in fact, its own network. If one DNS server doesn't know how to translate a particular domain name, it asks another one, and so on, until the correct IP address is returned.
(2) Short for digital nervous system, a term coined by Bill Gates to describe a network of personal computers that make it easier to obtain and understand information.
^ Copied & pasted from http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/D/DNS.html
Okay with it being explained what one is, how do you change the DNS address? Well you will go into network connections or network settings if your with Windows. I don't know the equivalent for Linux or the Mac, so if anyone can help with that please do.
See THIS THREAD (http://www.mediacollege.com/computer/network/dns.html) for details on how to change the DNS address. It will also show currently the DNS server you currently use, so write it down.
So before its changed, write it down and have it tested for security with the well trusted online GRC Nameserver spoofabilty test (https://www.grc.com/dns/dns.htm) It will inform you how secure the current DNS used is and if its safe from DNS attacks such as spoofing or cache poisoning.
Next you want to know the speeds of alternative DNS servers you can use. So download the following free software called DNS Bench. It has a built in list of public DNS servers incl many of the best ones. It will check to see which one is best suited for you, based on the current location your at (IP address dependant)
The free software is available here (http://hidemyass.com/files/JqM8z/). I uploaded it myself, so its safe.
Once you have a certain DNS server in mind, again write it down and close the application. You now need to enter these details into your settings and to do this we revert back to the beginning here. Simply visit the website (http://www.mediacollege.com/computer/network/dns.html)again for instructions on how to do that, if your still not sure.
Make sure you change the DNS server for ALL your devices in that section. If your connected via a router as well, than you will need to connect to that via a web browser and enter these numbers in the DNS section within it, otherwise you'll have troubles.
Once your done, repeat the GRC DNS test and the Speed test again and check for yourself how much better and safer it is. Many times the default ISP DNS settings are complete crap and this is how, the ISP's control what is being sent to the customer ... for example in China they control these DNS servers to limit the information and sites the locals can see as they are programmed to only send back whatever the Chinese feel should be seen and is also how Australia and New Zealand will implement its child porn block list into the ISP, which is actually a good thing .. thats how its done.
As you can see though, its not hard to get around but still if you are in a country such as China and managed to change the DNS server, you will still get censored internet as the ISP your with is most likely Chinese and hence already has the blocked content on its servers as this passes over to you.
Some things that will be noticed if you choose a good fast open DNS server? FASTER browsing on the net because you will be using better servers, faster safer securer servers. Less likely to have your data compromised from DNS poison attacks, where a false DNS is placed in and your redirected into it without knowing this . You also have better protection from viruses as well, more so from bad sites that load that crap up .. many good services block those on reliable DNS servers.
So thats it really. Get your connection faster and safer with a simple tweak. ALSO if you use a VPN service or anonymous proxy, your still not truely secure <:( This is because of your default DNS server still relaying your original ISP IP address web requests (Addresses typed in etc) through the DNS server and into the ISPs servers, so only being partly anonymous in your surfing but your SEARCHES and WEB ADDRESSES are all still viewable by the ISP.
Keep that in mind as many, if not all VPN providers don't reveal this to the customer.
I will not list the most popular, fastest and secure Open DNS servers for you. So check them out and aswell with the DNSBench software, can add additional servers as you go to check and compare with others.
GOOGLE DNS
8.8.8.8
8.8.4.4
MONZOON DNS
80.254.79.157
80.254.77.39
OpenDNS
208.67.222.222
208.67.220.220
Scrubit
67.138.54.100
207.225.209.66
DNS advantage (Comodo uses the exact same servers)
156.154.70.1
156.154.71.1
^ ALL of those with the exception of Google and Monzoon are primarily in the business of DNS and have a good reputation.
Monzoon is a Swiss company and has excellent anti spoofing along-with good privacy laws, with it being in Switzerland. I have used it for months in the past with no problems but it may be slower for those not based in Europe.
I've also used the OpenDNS servers which were also good and auto change to the nearest location based on where you surf on the net i.e. you visit a Japanese website, so it adjusts itself to the nearest server to Japan, such as for example lets say Taiwan and when you revert back, in this example we will choose Peru it will use a server closest to that nation and so fourth.
Currently I'm now using Google's DNS servers as they are the fastest. Google do have a reputation for collecting and sortieing data, so read the privacy policy http://code.google.com/speed/public-dns/privacy.html but if you used an encrypted VPN and highly secure elite proxy, they cant collect anything anyway.
Give these a try and let me know how you get on and if you need help than just ask.
DNS = Domain Name Server
(1) Short for Domain Name System (or Service or Server), an Internet service that translates domain names into IP addresses. Because domain names are alphabetic, they're easier to remember. The Internet however, is really based on IP addresses. Every time you use a domain name, therefore, a DNS service must translate the name into the corresponding IP address. For example, the domain name www.example.com might translate to 198.105.232.4.
The DNS system is, in fact, its own network. If one DNS server doesn't know how to translate a particular domain name, it asks another one, and so on, until the correct IP address is returned.
(2) Short for digital nervous system, a term coined by Bill Gates to describe a network of personal computers that make it easier to obtain and understand information.
^ Copied & pasted from http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/D/DNS.html
Okay with it being explained what one is, how do you change the DNS address? Well you will go into network connections or network settings if your with Windows. I don't know the equivalent for Linux or the Mac, so if anyone can help with that please do.
See THIS THREAD (http://www.mediacollege.com/computer/network/dns.html) for details on how to change the DNS address. It will also show currently the DNS server you currently use, so write it down.
So before its changed, write it down and have it tested for security with the well trusted online GRC Nameserver spoofabilty test (https://www.grc.com/dns/dns.htm) It will inform you how secure the current DNS used is and if its safe from DNS attacks such as spoofing or cache poisoning.
Next you want to know the speeds of alternative DNS servers you can use. So download the following free software called DNS Bench. It has a built in list of public DNS servers incl many of the best ones. It will check to see which one is best suited for you, based on the current location your at (IP address dependant)
The free software is available here (http://hidemyass.com/files/JqM8z/). I uploaded it myself, so its safe.
Once you have a certain DNS server in mind, again write it down and close the application. You now need to enter these details into your settings and to do this we revert back to the beginning here. Simply visit the website (http://www.mediacollege.com/computer/network/dns.html)again for instructions on how to do that, if your still not sure.
Make sure you change the DNS server for ALL your devices in that section. If your connected via a router as well, than you will need to connect to that via a web browser and enter these numbers in the DNS section within it, otherwise you'll have troubles.
Once your done, repeat the GRC DNS test and the Speed test again and check for yourself how much better and safer it is. Many times the default ISP DNS settings are complete crap and this is how, the ISP's control what is being sent to the customer ... for example in China they control these DNS servers to limit the information and sites the locals can see as they are programmed to only send back whatever the Chinese feel should be seen and is also how Australia and New Zealand will implement its child porn block list into the ISP, which is actually a good thing .. thats how its done.
As you can see though, its not hard to get around but still if you are in a country such as China and managed to change the DNS server, you will still get censored internet as the ISP your with is most likely Chinese and hence already has the blocked content on its servers as this passes over to you.
Some things that will be noticed if you choose a good fast open DNS server? FASTER browsing on the net because you will be using better servers, faster safer securer servers. Less likely to have your data compromised from DNS poison attacks, where a false DNS is placed in and your redirected into it without knowing this . You also have better protection from viruses as well, more so from bad sites that load that crap up .. many good services block those on reliable DNS servers.
So thats it really. Get your connection faster and safer with a simple tweak. ALSO if you use a VPN service or anonymous proxy, your still not truely secure <:( This is because of your default DNS server still relaying your original ISP IP address web requests (Addresses typed in etc) through the DNS server and into the ISPs servers, so only being partly anonymous in your surfing but your SEARCHES and WEB ADDRESSES are all still viewable by the ISP.
Keep that in mind as many, if not all VPN providers don't reveal this to the customer.
I will not list the most popular, fastest and secure Open DNS servers for you. So check them out and aswell with the DNSBench software, can add additional servers as you go to check and compare with others.
GOOGLE DNS
8.8.8.8
8.8.4.4
MONZOON DNS
80.254.79.157
80.254.77.39
OpenDNS
208.67.222.222
208.67.220.220
Scrubit
67.138.54.100
207.225.209.66
DNS advantage (Comodo uses the exact same servers)
156.154.70.1
156.154.71.1
^ ALL of those with the exception of Google and Monzoon are primarily in the business of DNS and have a good reputation.
Monzoon is a Swiss company and has excellent anti spoofing along-with good privacy laws, with it being in Switzerland. I have used it for months in the past with no problems but it may be slower for those not based in Europe.
I've also used the OpenDNS servers which were also good and auto change to the nearest location based on where you surf on the net i.e. you visit a Japanese website, so it adjusts itself to the nearest server to Japan, such as for example lets say Taiwan and when you revert back, in this example we will choose Peru it will use a server closest to that nation and so fourth.
Currently I'm now using Google's DNS servers as they are the fastest. Google do have a reputation for collecting and sortieing data, so read the privacy policy http://code.google.com/speed/public-dns/privacy.html but if you used an encrypted VPN and highly secure elite proxy, they cant collect anything anyway.
Give these a try and let me know how you get on and if you need help than just ask.