Computers need to operate with complete security and safety. For this, they only recognize IP addresses. To mitigate the risks associated with malware or faulty URLs, there is a requirement for a system that can efficiently translate the human-friendly URLs to computer-friendly IP addresses. Such servers are known as Domain name servers or DNS. But how to get a free DNS server. 

Any possible malware or phishing attack can hinder performance and speed and can bring consequences. People often transit from one DNS to another for better performance, speed, and protection. 

Why do you need a DNS [Domain Name Server]?

To understand the need for domain name servers, one must revisit the process of searching for something on the internet. Let’s say you type a website’s IP address into the browser and reach the website. But do you remember every website’s IP address you surf? 

No, right? 

Now, search for the website with its name. Did you get an error? Did your internet fail to make a connection with a website? 

In such a scenario, when one can reach the website with its IP address but not with a name, their DNS is likely to malfunction. It fails to establish a proper connection with URLs present on the web. 

This establishes the need for optimum, functional, and efficient DNS to achieve complete connections with URLs and protect systems from any website shaving viruses, phishing attacks, and bots. 

There are immense options available as paid as well as in free DNS servers. But why pay if we can get the quality, protection, and safety for free!

Let's have a detailed insight into free DNS or free domain name servers. 

PS: you can have a look at our article on the top 5 DNS servers available today. 

Cloudflare

Cloudflare is one of the fastest public DNS resolvers by providing free DNS services. It has extended its range and included a new public DNS server named 1.1.1.1. Cloudflare is a free dynamic DNS provider. 

Cloudflare has established a robust framework and trust in the market as it never shares the data with third parties for advertising, never uses the data, and never logs into the IP addresses. It thereby provides a completely secure, safe, and end-to-end encrypted platform. 

Features

  • Unmetered relief of DDoS 
  • Limitless bandwidth
  • Worldwide CDN 
  • Shared SSL certificate
  • Three-page rules 
  • A fast and reliable solution
  • Write and deploy code efficient to run on network edges
  • Employ easy scalability

Cloudflare also has IPv6 public DNS servers available:

  • Primary DNS: 2606:4700:4700::1111
  • Secondary DNS: 2606:4700:4700::1001

Google Public DNS

With Google’s security and quality assurance, Google Public DNS is a popular free domain name server. A result-oriented approach works on three basic principles: security, speed, and reliable results. 

It offers DNS resolution and caching with no site-blocking with public DNS. It has primary and secondary servers as:

  • Primary DNS: 8.8.8.8
  • Secondary DNS: 8.8.4.4

With such a robust framework, it also provides IPv6 servers-

  • Primary DNS: 2001:4860:4860::8888
  • Secondary DNS: 2001:4860:4860::8844

To ensure complete speed with security and accuracy, google public DNS has data centres all over the world. 

Comodo Secure DNS

Comodo secure DNS provides a free cloud-based safe, and reliable internet gateway. It resolves DNS requests globally with a network of redundant free public DNS servers, thereby elevating the safety, speed, and quality of the Internet experience.

Features

  • Provide safety from cutting-edge dangers, phishing, malware, and C&C callbacks 
  • Web segregation for 80+ content categories
  • Web access policy assurance on and off-network 
  • Ongoing visibility for every connected device

It has been widely accepted and adopted due to increased security and a better experience. 

AdGuard DNS

AdGuard primarily focuses on adblocking by efficiently curbing counters, phishing, malicious websites or web pages, and adult content websites. It can block ads in games, websites, videos, and whatnot!

It has primary and secondary domain name servers as follows-

  • Primary DNS: 94.140.14.14
  • Secondary DNS: 94.140.15.15

Its ability to block adult content websites has made it a “family protection” server. For increased popularity and advancement, it also supports IPv6 servers- 

  • Primary DNS: 2a10:50c0::ad1:ff
  • Secondary DNS: 2a10:50c0::ad2:ff

However, if one needs domain name servers without the blocking functionality, one can plug into AdGuard’s servers such as 94.140.14.140 and 2a10:50c0::1:ff

Yandex DNS

With a robust framework and quality features and offerings, Yandex is a free domain name server serving and protecting internet users worldwide. It has valuable benefits and features such as:

  • Elevate performance
  • Increased security and safety 
  • Protect from viruses, internet malware, and bots
  • Blocks adult content websites, hence suitable and ideal for families
  • Easy to use at home networks or on individual connections

It has its antivirus software to carry out the process of virus identification efficiently. It is easy to configure with a few-step simple process to mitigate the risks and hassle for users.

CleanBrowsing

Available in both free and paid models, clean browsing is a reliable and robust DNS available in the market. It centres around security, particularly for families with kids. It accompanies three free channels and blocks the adult and inappropriate content before it reaches your network. 

It undergoes hourly updates to make sure no phishing or malware websites reach your screen. It has primary and secondary DNS as below-

  • Primary DNS: 185.228.168.9
  • Secondary DNS: 185.228.169.9

Just like other important amenities, clean browsing also supports the IPv6 version- 

  • Primary DNS: 2a0d:2a00:1::2
  • Secondary DNS: 2a0d:2a00:2::2

It has increased coverage and quality solutions in free plans. However, the pricing pans with advanced and critical features can be leveraged from $59.99 per year to $220 per year. 

UltraRecursive DNS

A balanced DNS, UltraRecursive DNS provides optimum performance and rapid inquiry resolution. It is built with reliable and stable infrastructure. 

Features

  • Blocks malware, bots, and malicious content 
  • Can detect phishing websites and can block them beforehand
  • Has DDoS protection
  • Blocks adult content
  • Enhances performance

Hurricane Electric 

A reliable free DNS service, hurricane electric propounds easy and quick management of forward as well as reverse DNS. It recently has extended its open Beta and has included IPv6 support. 

Benefits

  • Support inquiries from both IPv6 as well as from IPv4 (IPv4 and IPv6)
  • Supports slave
  • Geological different servers
  • checking for appointments for both forward and inverse zones. 
  • Can check basic syntax for fields
  • Offers multiple domains per account
  • Supports RP, SPF, NAPTR, CNAME, CAA, MX, etc. 

Hurricane Electric’s dynamic DNS support with a result-driven approach has made it popular among users of vast scale. 

OpenDNS

OpenDNS is one of the most reliable options available out there and has a massive user base of 90 million users worldwide. It has primary and secondary domain name servers as follows-

  • Primary DNS: 208.67.222.222
  • Secondary DNS: 208.67.220.220

It allows custom settings with free plan options: family shield and home. The daily shield plan ensures parental control over internet content that their children can browse, and the home plan elevates necessary protection and curb or block any possible phishing attacks. 

Conclusion

Browse the internet safely and securely. Any malware attack from phishing websites or viruses can rupture the server connection and cause performance and speed issues. As the internet is vital for today’s digital dependent lives, having proper servers to ensure security, protection and performance has become paramount.   

There are free DNS (as discussed above) as well as paid DNSs available. Choose wisely, and ask professionals about compatible and optimum domain name servers if necessary.

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