Without knowing it consciously, DNS servers are used on a daily basis by anyone who connects to the internet.
The acronym DNS stands for Domain Name System and indicates a translator, if we can define it that way, which allows you to reach a specific website without having to type on the keyboard the real coordinates of the site, but only the text.
So “google.it” instead of “84.563.224.78” for example. Certainly remembering a text is easier than a numerical address!
Usually the DNS server is provided automatically by your telephone company, it is not your choice or task to select it. However, you may end up with a slower server than others. Contrary to what one might believe, in a situation of excessive slowness, you can independently manage the DNS server used.
Using fast DNS , it will be easier and faster to reach the website that interests you than with a slow DNS. And this is where the question “How do I select and then change my default DNS?” Naturally arises.
By following the instructions step by step you can solve all your problems related to the use of slow DNS servers. The change can be made from different devices, without changing the final result. You can act on the modem, directly on the PC or from 8tablet mobile devices and smartphones, both Android and iOS). Let’s see how!
Contents of the article
- DNS – the best to choose from
- How to set up Google DNS from the modem?
- How to set up Google DNS from pc?
- How to set up Google DNS on mobile devices with Wi-Fi network?
DNS – the best to choose from
There is a lot of competition on the DNS server market, so choosing the most suitable is not a trivial matter. The best to use are those from Google , Cloudfare and OpenDNS:
- Google: default 8.8.8.8, alternative 8.8.4.4;
- Cloudflare: default 1.1.1.1 alternative 1.0.0.1;
- OpenDNS: default 208.67.222.222 alternative 208.67.220.220.
The Google DNS servers are definitely the best and most well-known, as well as being fast, are international and allow access to websites that are obscured by the Italian provider. Same thing for Cloudflare which is also characterized by the ability to not keep track of the websites viewed by the user.
OpenDNS, on the other hand, is mainly used for the parental control function, which therefore allows the limitation to specific categories of sites. They too are fast and allow access to blocked sites in Italy.
In addition to speed, another important parameter for choosing a good server, security must be evaluated. Viruses and malware could attack the PC causing it to go to a website other than the one chosen. They are called ” spoofing attacks “. A good DNS basically avoids letting you go to haibeccatounvisur.com instead of questoerailsitoscelto.it.
Google DNS servers today are certainly the best choice, as they combine speed and security in a single package.
How to set up Google DNS from the modem?
Setting the Google DNS directly from the modem is useful to avoid changing the settings of each single device, thus making a radical change. In doing so, any tablet, pc or smartphone that uses that modem will find itself using the set DNS.
The first thing to do is to open the browser you usually use.
Once this is done, connect to your router, typically at the address 192.168.0.1 or at the address 192.168.1.1 (or 192.168.2.1 for some asus routers) to access the modem management panel, simply by typing the address numbers indicated in the search bar.
A login window will open in which you will need to enter your username and password in order to access the device.
Unless you have changed your login details, the ones you need are typically tiadmin / admin (username / password) or admin / password (username / password).
After logging in to the modem control panel, go to the LAN or DHCP or NETWORK section and typically find the zone where to enter the DNS servers.
Now, check the box ” use these DNS servers ” or a similar item and fill in the fields with the Google DNS addresses that we indicated in the previous paragraph. Then click on the “apply” button (“ok” or “save”, as appropriate, is fine too) and you are done. By doing this, you changed your server address by switching to Google DNS.
Attention! Some recent modems do not allow the change because the addresses are provided automatically by the provider.
How to set up Google DNS from pc?
Making the switch and going to the Google DNS from your computer allows you to do the server substitution only for the device in place . So it will not be a general change, but specific to the pc you are using.
(1) The first thing to do is to click on the “start” button at the bottom left and type in the search box “ network connection and sharing center ” and press enter . A drop-down menu will open and you will need to click on the first result.
(2) Click on the name of the connection that will be shown to you and then on the ” properties ” button . Double-click on the item “Internet protocol version 4 TCP / IPv4” which will appear in the list “the connection uses the following items” in the new window opened.
(3) Now you have to check the item “ use the following DNS server addresses ” and type the two Google addresses ( 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 ) respectively in the preferred DNS server and alternate DNS server section.
4) Confirm all changes by clicking on ” ok ” and the procedure will be finished. By doing so you will have adopted the Google DNS and no longer the default ones provided by your network operator automatically.
To change servers on a Mac device (Macbook or iMac) you will have to act differently.
Click on the Wi-Fi symbol at the top right and then on “open network preferences”. A window will open, click on the connection you are using and then on “advanced” at the bottom right. Another window will appear, go to DNS, the third option from the left, and then on the “+” button at the bottom left. Now enter the Google DNS numbers, click on “ok” and it’s done. Simple right?
How to set up Google DNS on mobile devices with Wi-Fi network?
Google DNS can also be set on mobile devices such as tablets or smartphones. Even then you will benefit from browsing speed and increased safety. These procedures, which change according to the use of Android or iOS, are valid only when using the wireless network. Using the 4g 8dati network instead) you can make the change, but you have to use third-party applications (and a different procedure).
To perform the DNS change on an Android smartphone or tablet you will first need to assign a static IP address to the device. To do this, go to “settings”, “Wi-Fi” and hold your finger on the connection you use for a few seconds. Then go to the item “modify config. network ”and check the“ static ”option. Then scroll down the page, type the addresses of the two Google servers in the DNS 1 and DNS 2 fields and save everything.
For iPhone or iPad instead access the settings and select the “Wi-Fi” item. Tap the information icon (the blue “i” with a circle around it) next to the connection you use, a new window will open, go to “configure DNS”, then check “manual” and type under the two Google DNS addresses . At the end of the stage, save at the top right and it’s done.
Change DNS using data network
As mentioned, to change the DNS servers on a mobile device connected to a data network, a different step must be performed. To use Google DNS you need an external application. There are several in circulation. Today we offer you DNS Changer for Android .
It does not need root , so the device will remain untouched.
After downloading the application from the Play Store, open it. Press on “start” in the center of the screen. A new page will open, stage “ok” and again “start”. At this point you should be on a green screen. Select the word “Google DNS” and then stop on “connected”.
These are all the methods for automatically changing the DNS servers established by your telephone company. By setting those of Google, which we remember are 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4, you will get an increase in browsing speed and greater security, incurring less chance of “entering” a malicious website, other than the one you were looking for.
