DNS (Domain Name System) is often called the “phonebook of the internet.” When you type a website address like beanel.com into your browser, your computer asks a DNS server to translate that human-readable name into the IP address that computers use to communicate. Every time you visit a website, your device makes a DNS query — and who handles that query can have a significant impact on your privacy and browsing speed.
Why Your Default DNS Matters
By default, your DNS queries are handled by your Internet Service Provider. This means your ISP can see every website you visit — even if you use HTTPS. While most ISPs in South Africa do not actively sell this data, the fact that they can see your browsing activity is a privacy concern. Additionally, ISP-provided DNS servers are not always the fastest or most reliable. Switching to a third-party DNS provider can improve both your privacy and your browsing speed.
Best DNS Servers for Privacy and Speed
Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1) is widely regarded as the fastest and most privacy-focused option. Cloudflare promises never to log your IP address and to delete all DNS query logs within 24 hours. Google Public DNS (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) is also fast and reliable, though Google does log some data for performance analysis. Quad9 (9.9.9.9) blocks known malicious domains automatically, adding a layer of security. For South African users, all three providers have local servers that provide fast response times.
How to Change Your DNS Server
Changing your DNS server is simple and takes less than five minutes. On Windows, go to Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Change adapter settings, right-click your connection, select Properties, find Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), and enter your preferred DNS addresses. On macOS, go to System Settings > Network > Wi-Fi > Details > DNS. On your router, look for DNS settings in the admin panel — changing DNS at the router level affects every device on your network. On Android and iOS, you can change DNS per Wi-Fi network in the connection settings.
DNS Over HTTPS: An Extra Layer of Privacy
Modern browsers and operating systems support DNS over HTTPS (DoH), which encrypts your DNS queries so that even your ISP cannot see which websites you are visiting. Firefox and Chrome both support DoH natively. When enabled, your DNS queries are encrypted and sent directly to the DNS provider, bypassing your ISP entirely. This prevents your ISP from logging your browsing activity and also protects against DNS spoofing attacks. Combined with a good VPN, DoH provides a strong foundation for online privacy.