Secure DNS Providers Guide

A comprehensive analysis of DNS providers supporting DNSSEC

Last updated: March 11, 2025

IP Addresses

1.1.1.1 1.0.0.1

DNS-over-HTTPS

https://dns.cloudflare.com:443/dns-query

DNSSEC Support

Yes

Privacy Level

High

Recent Incidents

Nation-state breach (Feb 2024) IPv4 prefix withdrawal (Sept 2024)

Pros

  • High speed and low latency
  • Strong encryption (DoH, DoT)
  • No user tracking

Cons

  • Limited filtering options
  • Past security breach

IP Addresses

9.9.9.9 149.112.112.112

DNSSEC Support

Yes

Privacy Level

Very High

Recent Incidents

None reported

Pros

  • Strong malware protection
  • Non-profit organization
  • Strict no-logging policy

Cons

  • Fewer customization options
  • May log anonymized data

IP Addresses

8.8.8.8 8.8.4.4

DNSSEC Support

Yes

Privacy Level

Medium

Recent Incidents

None reported

Pros

  • High uptime and reliability
  • Fast resolution times
  • Well-maintained infrastructure

Cons

  • Collects some user data
  • Privacy concerns with Google

IP Addresses

208.67.222.222 208.67.220.220

DNS-over-HTTPS

https://doh.opendns.com:443/dns-query

DNSSEC Support

Yes

Privacy Level

Medium

Recent Incidents

None reported

Pros

  • Content filtering features
  • Parental controls
  • Phishing protection

Cons

  • Cisco ownership raises privacy concerns
  • Some features require paid accounts

IP Addresses

94.140.14.14 94.140.15.15

DNSSEC Support

Yes

Privacy Level

High

Recent Incidents

None reported

Pros

  • Blocks ads and trackers
  • Customizable filtering options
  • Privacy-focused

Cons

  • May break some websites
  • Aggressive filtering can cause issues

IP Addresses

185.228.168.168 185.228.169.168

DNSSEC Support

Yes

Privacy Level

High

Recent Incidents

None reported

Pros

  • Excellent for blocking adult content
  • Family-friendly filtering
  • Easy setup

Cons

  • Limited features in free version
  • May not be as fast as others

DNS-over-QUIC

quic://p0.freedns.controld.com:853

DNSSEC Support

Yes

Privacy Level

High

Recent Incidents

None reported

Pros

  • Customizable DNS filtering options
  • Free service available
  • Privacy-focused

Cons

  • May require configuration knowledge
  • Advanced features may need paid tier

DNS-over-HTTPS

https://dns.nextdns.io:443

DNS-over-QUIC

quic://dns.nextdns.io:853

DNSSEC Support

Yes

Privacy Level

High

Recent Incidents

None reported

Pros

  • Highly customizable settings
  • Detailed analytics available
  • Strong privacy protections

Cons

  • Requires setup for advanced features
  • Free tier has query limits

How to Set Up Secure DNS

Setting up secure DNS can enhance your privacy and security online. Follow the platform-specific instructions below:

Windows
macOS
Linux
Android
iOS

Open Network Connections

Right-click on the Start Menu and select Network Connections. Then click on Change adapter options.

Select Your Network Adapter

Right-click on your active network adapter (Ethernet or Wi-Fi) and select Properties.

Configure DNS Settings

Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click on Properties. Choose "Use the following DNS server addresses" and enter the preferred and alternate DNS server addresses.

For example, to use Cloudflare DNS:

Preferred: 1.1.1.1
Alternate: 1.0.0.1

For Quad9:

Preferred: 9.9.9.9
Alternate: 149.112.112.112

Save Settings

Click OK, then Close to apply the changes.

Additional Configuration for DNS-over-TLS

You can enable DNS-over-TLS in Windows 10/11 by using third-party tools like SimpleDNSCrypt.

Open System Preferences

Click on the Apple menu and select System Preferences. Choose Network.

Select Your Network Connection

Select your active network connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) from the left sidebar. Click on Advanced.

Configure DNS Settings

Go to the DNS tab. Click the + button to add new DNS server addresses:

For Cloudflare:

1.1.1.1
1.0.0.1

For Quad9:

9.9.9.9
149.112.112.112

Save Settings

Click OK, then click Apply to save changes.

Additional Configuration for DNS-over-TLS

Use third-party applications like DNSCrypt to enable DNS-over-TLS on macOS.

Open Terminal

Open a terminal window.

Edit Network Configuration

sudo nano /etc/resolv.conf

Add DNS Server Addresses

Add the following lines at the top of the file:

nameserver 1.1.1.1 # Cloudflare
nameserver 8.8.8.8 # Google
nameserver 9.9.9.9 # Quad9

Save Changes and Exit

Press CTRL + X, then Y, then Enter.

Restart Networking Service

sudo systemctl restart networking

Additional Configuration for DNS-over-TLS

Install systemd-resolved or use unbound with configuration for DoH/DoT.

Open Settings App

Open the Settings app on your Android device.

Select Network & Internet

Tap on Network & Internet.

Tap on Wi-Fi or Mobile Network

Depending on your connection, tap on Wi-Fi or Mobile Network.

Long Press Your Connected Network

Long press your connected network, then select Modify network.

Configure IP Settings

Enable Advanced options, then change IP settings to Static.

Enter DNS Server Addresses

Under DNS 1 and DNS 2, enter your preferred DNS servers:

For Cloudflare:

DNS 1: 1.1.1.1
DNS 2: 1.0.0.1

For Quad9:

DNS 1: 9.9.9.9
DNS 2: 149.112.112.112

Save Changes

Tap Save to apply the changes.

Additional Configuration for DoH

Use apps like Intra or DNSCloak to enable DoH on Android devices.

Open Settings App

Open the Settings app on your iOS device.

Tap on Wi-Fi

Tap on Wi-Fi, then tap the information icon (i) next to your connected network.

Configure DNS Settings

Scroll down to find the section labeled "DNS". Tap on it and select "Manual".

Add DNS Server Addresses

Add new servers by tapping "Add Server":

For Cloudflare:

1.1.1.1
1.0.0.1

For Quad9:

9.9.9.9
149.112.112.112

Save Changes

Tap back to save the changes.

Additional Configuration for DoH

Use a third-party app like NextDNS that supports DoH configuration directly from iOS settings.

DNS Protocol Differences

Different DNS protocols offer varying levels of privacy, security, and performance. Here's a breakdown of the key differences:

Standard DNS

Traditional DNS uses unencrypted UDP port 53, making it vulnerable to eavesdropping and tampering.

✓ Universal compatibility
✓ Low overhead
✗ No encryption
✗ Susceptible to hijacking
✗ Potential privacy issues

DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH)

Encapsulates DNS queries in HTTP requests, providing encryption and helping bypass network restrictions.

✓ Strong encryption via HTTPS
✓ Difficult to block (looks like regular web traffic)
✓ Browser support (Firefox, Chrome)
✗ Higher latency than traditional DNS
✗ Can bypass local network security policies

Port: 443 (HTTPS)

Example: https://dns.cloudflare.com/dns-query

DNS-over-TLS (DoT)

Uses TLS encryption to secure DNS queries, providing a dedicated encrypted channel.

✓ Strong encryption via TLS
✓ Dedicated port makes configuration clear
✓ Native support in Android and many Linux distributions
✗ Easily identifiable/blockable (dedicated port)
✗ Limited support in browsers

Port: 853 (TLS)

Example: tls://dns.google

DNS-over-QUIC (DoQ)

Uses the QUIC protocol to provide faster and more reliable encrypted DNS queries.

✓ Lower latency than DoH and DoT
✓ Better handling of packet loss
✓ Multiplexed connections improve performance
✗ Newer protocol with limited support
✗ May be blocked by some networks

Port: 853 (UDP/QUIC)

Example: quic://dns.adguard.com:853

DNS Provider Feature Comparison

This table compares the key features of different secure DNS providers to help you choose the right one for your needs.

Provider Protocols DNSSEC Privacy Level Content Filtering Ad Blocking Free Tier Best For
Cloudflare DNS, DoH, DoT ✓ High ✗ ✗ ✓ Speed, Privacy
Quad9 DNS, DoH, DoT ✓ Very High ✓ Partial ✓ Security, Privacy
Google DNS DNS, DoH, DoT ✓ Medium ✗ ✗ ✓ Reliability
AdGuard DNS DNS, DoH, DoT, DoQ ✓ High ✓ ✓ ✓ Ad Blocking
CleanBrowsing DNS, DoH, DoT ✓ High ✓ Partial ✓ Family Safety
NextDNS DNS, DoH, DoT, DoQ ✓ High ✓ ✓ Limited Customization
Control D DNS, DoH, DoT, DoQ ✓ High ✓ ✓ ✓ Customizable Filtering

DNSSEC Explained

Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC) is a suite of extensions to DNS that adds an additional layer of security to DNS lookups and exchanges. Here's what you need to know:

How DNSSEC Works

DNSSEC works by digitally signing DNS records to ensure their authenticity. Key components include:

  • 1
    Key Signing Keys (KSKs): Used to sign Zone Signing Keys, forming the trusted starting point of the DNSSEC validation chain.
  • 2
    Zone Signing Keys (ZSKs): Used to create digital signatures for individual DNS records within a zone.
  • 3
    Digital Signatures: Attached to DNS records, allowing verifiers to confirm the authenticity of the data.
  • 4
    Chain of Trust: Established from root DNS servers down through the DNS hierarchy.

Benefits of DNSSEC

Protection Against Cache Poisoning

Prevents attackers from inserting false DNS information into a resolver's cache.

Data Integrity

Ensures that DNS data hasn't been modified during transit.

Authentication

Verifies that DNS responses come from an authoritative source.

DNSSEC Implementation Challenges

From the provided report, several challenges with DNSSEC implementation were identified:

  • Key Rotation Practices: Some providers struggle with timely key rotation, potentially leaving domains vulnerable.
  • Regional Disparities: While generic TLDs generally support DNSSEC, country-code TLDs (ccTLDs) show variability in their support.
  • Operational Incompetence: Some registrars face criticism for failures in updating glue records critical for DNSSEC integrity.
  • Technical Complexity: Implementing DNSSEC requires technical expertise and ongoing maintenance.

Testing Your DNS for DNSSEC Validation

You can verify if your DNS resolver supports DNSSEC validation using online tools:

  1. Visit https://dnssec.vs.uni-due.de/ to test your current resolver.
  2. Use command-line tools like dig +dnssec example.com to check DNSSEC records.
  3. Check if you see the "SERVFAIL" error when querying deliberately broken DNSSEC domains, which indicates proper DNSSEC validation.