The internet is one of the essential features of our everyday lives. It has become a necessary part of how we communicate, how we work, how we shop, and how we learn. But have you ever thought about how your router’s DNS could affect all these things?

What are the advantages of changing the router DNS server to our networks? What are some disadvantages that come with this procedure? These questions will be answered in this post.

How Does DNS Server Work?

The router DNS is one of the most critical aspects of your router. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the easiest to change without knowing what you are doing! A DNS server enables your computer to translate an IP Address into a domain name (i.e., google.com). 

It matches the hostname to one or more IP addresses and returns the most relevant result to you when queried with the corresponding URL in question. Domain Name System handles translating friendly domains into numeric IP addresses. Your home network can usually rely upon the DNS servers of your IP provider. 

Whenever the browser sends the server domain names, the server must undergo a moderately complex interaction with other servers to return an IP address. If this is a valid domain name, the DNS server can cache that information for fast and accurate access. Now that interaction is down to numbers, the machine displays the pages you want to view.

Reasons Why You Need to Change DNS

DNS Difficulties

When you have an ISP-provided network’s DNS server running slow or cannot be adequately cached, this can slow or disrupt your connections. Switching to DNS servers for faster performance can speed up your web surfing. 

Some DNS service providers also use business-savvy add-ons. The system helps parents manage children’s access to unapproved information on the internet without limits. Your ISP knows where you can visit the internet or is likely unaware. 

However, some ISPs have discovered a better way of monetizing DNS traffic. You are automatically diverted to a search and advertising site when you hit an incorrect URL with no actual IP address.

DNS under Attack

Have you experienced receiving an email from your bank, but it seems suspicious? Some of the website owners use fraudulent web design which looks exactly like PayPal or bank. They propagate links using emails, fraudulent advertisements, or other forms of marketing. The only feature which hides these fraudulent transactions is the address bar.

How to Change Your Router’s DNS

If you want to change the DNS server for your entire home network, you must do so through your router. By default, your router connects to the DNS servers of your internet service provider. If you update the DNS server on your router, it will be used by all other devices on your network.

1. To begin, you need to access your router’s web interface. Please note the steps may vary depending on your router. If you are not sure, you may check your router manuals to ensure your router’s specific model. From its manual, you can see the details you need, such as the username and password of the router only if you didn’t change it before.
2. From the web interface, you will see the DNS server option. Change it, and the setting will apply to your entire network. The option may be under LAN or DHCP server settings since the DNS server is given to devices connected to your network through the DHCP protocol.

How to Change DNS Server in a Specific Router

Changing the DNS server is not as challenging as you think, but like what we mentioned earlier, those steps might vary depending on your router’s manufacturer. If your router is one of the most popular, then these steps may help you.

On Netgear Router

Changing the ’s DNS is easy to perform. Now that you have learned the step-by-step guide to change your router’s DNS, you may now be able to do it on your own. Remember that it will never cause any harm to your network if you do it properly.

Step 1: Sign in to your Netgear router manager page by entering HTTP:// 192.168.1.1 or sign in to your web browser by entering HTTP:// 192.168.0.1.

Step 2: NetGear contains two main interfaces, each with a distinct method for doing the next step. If you see the ‘Basic and Advance’ tabs at the top, choose Basic, then Internet on the left. Step 3: Choose ‘Basic Settings’ if you don’t see the two tabs at the top.

Step 4: Select the ‘Use These DNS Servers’ option in the Domain Name Server. 

Step 5:  Enter the secondary DNS server you want to use in the secondary DNS field.

Step 6: Click ‘Apply’ to save changes.

Note: Netgear routers have multiple default gateway addresses, so if the given above won’t work for you, just use the trial and error way.

On TP-Link Routers

Step 1: Sign in to the TP-Link configuration page by entering this address http:/// 192.168.1.1 and Click network.

Step 2: Under network, select WAN.

Step 3: Choose the Use These DNS Servers.

Step 4: Enter the server you will use and click the save button to save changes.

Step 5: Click Reboot and OK.

On D-Link Routers

Step 1: Sign in to your D-Link router web interface by entering HTTP:// 192.168.0.1.

Step 2: On the left page, choose the Internet option.

Step 3: Click the setup menu on the top page.

Step 4: Find the Dynamic IP (DHCP) Internet Connection Type section and put the primary DNS server you want to use into the Primary DNS Address field.

Step 5: Enter the secondary DNS server you want to use In the Secondary DNS Address field.

Step 6: Click the save option to save changes.

Benefits of Changing Your Router’s DNS

There are several reasons why changing the DNS server is essential:

• A better DNS server can make your network faster and more sure.
• It can provide better security on your network.
• Faster servers than the ISP server, allowing requests to be handled more quickly and smoothly.
• Geographically nearby servers provide for a more direct connection and, as a result, quicker speeds.
• Parental control options, such as OpenDNS.
• Some alternative DNS servers provide anti-phishing protection.

Best DNS Server to Improve Network Safety

Here are the five best DNS servers you can use to improve your network security and filter malware sites to avoid DNS attacks.

1. Google Public DNS with the IP Addresses 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4
2. OpenDNS with the IP Addresses 208.67.220.220 and 208.67.222.222
3. DNSWatch with the IP Addresses: 84.200.69.80 and 84.200.70.40
4. OpenNIC with the IP Addresses: 206.125.173.29 and 45.32.230.225

Which is the Best DNS Server

For nearly 10 years, Google’s public DNS network contained simple to remember addresses (8.8.1 and 8.5.4). Google said it would use secure connections and hardened against cyber threats as its website was expected. OpenDNS offers secure DNS for longer, but it also provides many other solutions for the domain name.

Router DNS FAQs

1. Is it safe to change the router’s DNS?

Changing your current DNS to another is very safe and will never cause any harm to 

your network. So if you think you need to update your DNS, you may do it anytime.

2. Does changing my DNS affect my internet connection?

Changing DNS servers may reduce the time to resolve a domain name, but it will not improve your total internet connection speed.

3. Is it possible to be hacked via DNS?

A DNS server can be hacked for various reasons, and the hacker may use it for pharming. Hackers may display advertisements to users to generate revenue or phishing.

Conclusion

Changing the router’s DNS is easy to perform. Now that you have learned the step-by-step guide to change your router’s DNS, you may now be able to do it on your own. Remember that it will never cause any harm to your network if you do it properly.