The best DNS servers: what are they and what are they for?

Among the pillars that support the Internet are the DNS, which are a set of servers that interact with our computers without us noticing. However, knowing more about them and choosing the right one can offer safer and more agile browsing, among other benefits.
One of the strategies that facilitates Internet browsing is the use of simple words to memorize. Thus, we can access the pages that interest us. If we compare this process with the traditional method of dialing telephone numbers, which we use for mobile communication, it is definitely easier. In this context, remembering www.google.com is simpler than learning the following: http://74.125.224.72. However, in order to make use of these words, and simplify everything, there are the so-called DNS (Domain Name System or Domain Name Server), which are servers dedicated to doing precisely that translation of numbers into words.
If we want to understand it in simpler sentences, when asking what is a DNS?, we can say that it is something similar to having a phone book assigned where we look for www.google.com and find http://74.125.224.72 as the sequence of numbers that we would have to write to access the internet server that hosts the page. It will depend on how complete that guide and its design is that we find everything we need in it.
This identification process is done in a matter of microseconds and in an automated way. Thus, when we type the URL in our browser, between our computer and other Internet servers there is a very efficient exchange of information that, finally, allows us to access the site we want.
By default, each device that connects to the Internet has a “phone book” configured and it is the one you should use whenever you need to translate an Internet address. But, if we analyze a little what a DNS server is, then we will understand that there is the possibility of changing this guide as many times as we want, and that it is only necessary to investigate which are the best servers capable of providing this service, know the numerical DNS address and specify it. on our device.
Why change the DNS?
Next, we will name the most common cases in which someone might prefer to be connected to another DNS, instead of the default one that has been assigned to them for their Internet configuration.
browsing speed
Let’s imagine that the DNS server assigned to us is geographically on another continent. Although the exchange is very fast, it will not be as fast as consulting a “guide” that is in our same geographical area. It’s like going to the neighbor’s house to get the phone book, instead of having it next to the phone.
Avoid crashes
Preventing certain pages from being visited by users is as simple as removing the address from a DNS. Or, seen from the example of the phone book, it is something similar to omitting the sheet where the number of the person we want to contact is. Therefore, as long as we have configured the DNS to which certain addresses have been removed, we will never be able to visit them. Therefore, if you have been facing the problem of not being able to visit a site that you know exists, you may need to change your default DNS.
Improve security and stability
If our assigned DNS is saturated, due to the large number of requests it receives, it will slow down our browsing and deny us the information we need. So, switching to another DNS, with higher capacity, can be a solution. Additionally, some DNS may offer other services, such as parental controls . This is an effective way to prevent minors in the house from being able to view inappropriate content, among many other functions.
The best DNS of 2022
Changing DNS is a very simple task, which we will explain in the next section, but, in this section, we will focus on a brief analysis of the providers of this service, which top the updated list of favorites. We also explain why they are among the best DNS servers.
It should be noted that in our selection we have chosen only free or Free DNS options that are very powerful and effective, although there is also more than one DNS service for which you have to pay, given the characteristics and quality of the options they provide.
- cloudflare
It offers the advantage of being able to choose servers in more than 200 locations on the planet, so you can choose the one closest to you. Thus, you can increase the speed of navigation. Therefore, it is considered the best DNS for gaming.
- Google Public DNS
It offers very fast servers and also security qualities. Thanks to this, it prevents you from being a victim of service blocks.
- Level3
Another of the fastest DNS of the moment is the one offered by this brand. In fact, it is among the fastest on the planet.
- OpenDNS
If you are looking for the best DNS for a family network, OpenDNS will appear among the options, since it is a domain server with parental control.
- IBM Quad9
It is one of the most chosen public DNS. It stands out for its protection against malware and phishing.
- Comfortable Secure
It is another of the fast DNS that you can choose for gaming and also offers protection against malware.
- SafeDNS
Although his name indicates security, his best quality is speed. However, it also protects against malware.
- ad guard
It offers two options: a predefined one, which blocks malware and ads, and one for families, which can also restrict access to adult content.
- OpenNIC
It is characterized by emphasizing the privacy of browsing, something that is becoming increasingly important when using the network.
- verisign
It focuses on the stability of connectivity, although without being one of the fastest.
How can the DNS be changed?
Once we have understood that it is possible to make a DNS change and that some of the best options have been exposed, we will focus on answering the questions: how to know my DNS? and how do I change it on my computer or tablet?
Due to the large number of operating system versions, the explanation given below will be generic. However, it will help you to make the necessary changes.
On the other hand, we must clarify that you need to know the corresponding numbers of your new DNS provider. Example: If you want to switch to Google Public DNS, the primary and secondary DNS numbers you will need are: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4, respectively.
MAC
To see the DNS that you have assigned in this operating system, you must first access System Preferences, then choose RED and search for the connection in use. Once this is done, you must click on the Advanced option and find the tab that is dedicated to DNS. Here we press the + sign and add the corresponding addresses to the new DNS.
Windows
In this operating system, you must enter the Configuration section. Then, in the Network and Internet option you will have to select the adapter options and right-click on it. You will then see a screen indicating Internet Protocol. Here you must activate the box and write the new chosen DNS in the preferred and alternative DNS section.
for iOS
Access the settings section and choose WiFi. Then, press the blue information button, which will be the one that will open the DNS configuration. Here, you will need to change the selection from Automatic to Manual. Thus, you will be able to see a new options window, where it will be possible to enter the numbers of your new domain server.
As you could see, there are many DNS servers that exist today and making the change is quite simple. However, knowing which DNS to use will depend on the needs of the network that we have and the objectives that we want to achieve.
On the other hand, we also want to mention that it is possible to change the DNS of the router, it is only necessary to investigate how it is done for the brand of your device, in particular. In any case, you already have more notions to improve your Internet browsing and access new, very useful functions.