DNS is the shortened name of Domain Name System. Technically speaking, DNS is your gateway to the Internet - for example, these server settings change easy-to-remember domains into IP addresses like the way an app converts your contact names into phone numbers when dialing.

These server settings change easy-to-remember domains into IP addresses like the way an app converts your contact names into phone numbers when dialing.

Before heading over to anything else, let’s figure out why we should change DNS as soon as possible. People may have more than one reason for this, but needless to say, everybody wants to beef up things related to security, privacy, reliability, speed, and so on. Not only does DNS make things faster but it also helps you get a more secure Internet connection as well. Luckily, you’re always able to change your DNS settings for a better connection.

Best DNS settings

There is a diverse pool of options for changing DNS out there, but as of now, three of the most simple-to-use and reliable DNS providers include Google, OpenDNS, and Cloudflare. Generally, they provide similar benefits across the board but still have some differences. Let’s take a look at every option we mentioned above.

1. Google's public DNS

All you need to do is to remember two strings of number: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4

Speaking of alternative DNS, the most popular choice is Google’s public DNS. To make use of it, all you need to do is to remember two strings of number: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 for IP addresses. As compared to your existing DNS server, it promises boosts in both security and speed and you can start to change your current one without any hassles.

2. OpenDNS

OpenDNS has been backed by Cisco since 2015.

You might have heard about OpenDNS because it’s a great tool for filtering content on the Internet and kid safety. OpenDNS has been backed by Cisco since 2015, and it currently offers several options: the free-to-use Family Shield package and pay-to-use plans. With the first one, users can start using 208.67.222.222 (primary) and 208.67.220.220 (secondary) without having to sign up for an account, while paid subscriptions require an actual account to access top-notch experiences from the service.

3. Cloudflare

Cloudflare is the champion in terms of speed.

For companies and businesses, Cloudflare has become the best-known name when it comes to DNS services. The primary and secondary IP addresses respectively are 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1. Out of all DNS providers available on the market right now, Cloudflare is the champion in terms of speed. In addition to this, users can also find Cloudflare mobile apps on both the Play Store and App Store.

Of course, it’s all up to your needs and you may have to choose out which works best for you, so don’t hesitate to try them all. Good luck!