Many people and businesses tend to ditch their existing ISPs whenever they experience problems with their internet connectivity. What they usually fail to understand is that most internet connectivity issues don’t require a change in the ISP. You can achieve the same results by simply resolving the name servers which point to the DNS servers. Furthermore, this method literally costs nothing and the benefits in terms of security and performance are quite significant. (Find out more about DNS servers here)
DNS servers also allow you to view content that has been blocked in your geographical region.
All you have to do is to look for alternative DNS servers that can help with your situation (and replace the one that come with the ISPs). If you have unreliable DNS servers, have web censorship problems or simply want to increase your internet speeds, then it’s time you obtained a 3rd party DNS server to resolve your issues.
Here’s our list of the best DNS servers that can help you out.
Open DNS
If you are looking for a DNS that gives you enhanced control over your internet security, then you should check out Open DNS. It can help you enhance the internet security of all your devices. You can choose either the personal or business plan depending on your specific needs.
Its primary IP addresses are 208.67.220.220 and 208.67.222.222. If you want the personal plan, you can simply adjust your DNS to either of the two IP addresses. You’ll get services like parental controls, phishing protection, and web whitelisting and enhanced security controls. If you are interested in a fully-fledged enterprise solution at a premium price, then the business plan will be handy for you.
Google Public DNS
Just as its name suggests, Google Public DNS is a product of the internet search engine giant Google. It has been in use since 2009 and is currently the largest public DNS server in the world. In order for you to use this DNS server, you’ll have to change your IP addresses to 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4. It’s also worth noting that this DNS server also supports IPV6.
So what should you expect from Google’s Public DNS? You’ll get enhanced speeds and optimized web security thanks to its use of Anycast. This feature allows it to locate the closest server to your browsing location in order for data to load fast. However, just like all its other services, Google also collects data from its users (though in an impersonal nature).
Comodo Secure DNS
Comodo Secure DNS works in a similar manner as Google’s Public DNS. You just have to change your IP addresses to 8.26.56.26 and 8.20.247.20 (With the latter being the backup address). It has a powerful network of 15 servers located in different places around the world. This allows it to optimise your internet speeds by selecting the nearest server to your location.
It also has great security features. For instance, it automatically blocks all sites that are harmful and can pose a security threat. It will also come handy for instances such as malware attacks, phishing campaigns as well as spyware threats.
Level3 DNS
You can access this DNS server by switching your IP address to 209.244.0.3, 209.244.0.4, 4.2.2.1, 4.2.2.2, 4.2.2.3 or 4.2.2.4. Though not as big as Google Public DNS or Open DNS, Level 3 DNS utilizes cutting edge technology to ensure that you experience optimal speeds while browsing through their DNS. It’s also a reliable DNS server and offers web browsing security features as well.
Norton Connect Safe
For a company that is well known for its security software and services, Norton doesn’t disappoint when it comes to its own DNS server. This DNS service is actually meant for those people who want to secure their devices against malware, phishing attacks or spyware threats when visiting different sites.
Norton has three different plans that you can choose from. The three plans come with different IP addresses which you can use in all kinds of devices. For instance, if you are interested in protecting all the devices in your home, you can simply configure your router with the particular IP address provided by Norton Connect Safe.
DNS.Watch
This DNS is a great option for people who would like to gain access to sites censored in their geographical locations. DNS.Watch firmly believes in net neutrality. This is the reason why it limits website logging (which is common in other DNS services).
It is also compatible with a variety of devices and systems. You can access it via the following IP addresses; 82.200.69.80 and 84.200.70.40.