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How to configure your Windows PC to use the secure DNS service? (For home users only)

Release Date: 10 Jul 2018 5178 Views

Table of Contents:

 

 

[Updated on 17 Feb 2022]  Added procedures for Windows 11

 

Many security incidents are used to lure user to access the malicious site via a phishing URL or malware background execution. To avoid and protect your personal computer, you could configure your DNS service as follow:

 

Prerequisite

Local admin right is required in order to go through the following steps.

 

Window 11

 

  1. Click “Search Icon” at the menu bar and input “view network connections” in search bar. Click the search result


     
  2. Depends on the connection type, right click the active connection icon (e.g. “Ethernet” for wired connection or “Wi-Fi” for wireless connection) and select “Properties”


     
  3. Highlight “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)”, and click “Properties”


     
  4. Under “General” tab, select “Use the following DNS server addresses:”. Enter the IP of DNS to “Preferred DNS server: “and “Alternate DNS server:”. If you have done the configuration, click “OK” to confirm”


     
  5. Done.
     

 

 

Window 10

  1. From the “start menu”, click “Settings”.


     
  2. Select “Network & Internet”


     
  3. Select “Change adapter options” (Tips: make sure “Status” tab is selected)


     
  4. Depends on the connection type, right click the active connection icon (e.g. “Ethernet” for wired connection or “Wi-Fi” for wireless connection) and select “Properties”


     
  5. Highlight “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)”, and click “Properties”.


     
  6. Under “General” tab, select “Use the following DNS server addresses:”. Enter the IP of DNS to “Preferred DNS server: “and “Alternate DNS server:”. If you have done the configuration, click “OK” to confirm.


     
  7. Done.
     

 

Window 7

  1. From the “start menu”, click “Control Panel”, and then click “View network status and tasks” under “Network and Internet”. (Tips : Make sure “View by: Category”)


     
  2. Click “Change adapter settings”


     
  3. Assume that you are using wired network, Right click the “Local Area Connection” and select “Properties”


     
  4. Highlight “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)”, and click “Properties”.


     
  5. 5. Under “General” tab, select “Use the following DNS server addresses:”. Enter the IP of DNS to “Preferred DNS server: “and “Alternate DNS server:”. If you have done the configuration, click “OK” to confirm.


     
  6. Done.
     

 

 

Common secure DNS services
ProviderPrimary IPSecondary IPwebsite
Cloudflare1.1.1.11.0.0.1https://www.cloudflare.com/learning/dns/what-is-1.1.1.1/
Comodo8.26.56.268.20.247.20https://www.comodo.com/secure-dns/
Google8.8.8.88.8.4.4https://developers.google.com/speed/public-dns/faq
Quan99.9.9.9149.112.112.112https://www.quad9.net/faq/
OpenDNS (Cisco)208.67.222.222208.67.220.220https://www.opendns.com/setupguide/