Learn how to Secure yourself on the internet by Keeping your DNS requests and responses private. It doesn’t matter if you are using your Laptop or desktop running on windows or macOS, iOS or Android smartphones.
Today, I will show you how to stay secure and safe on the internet by making sure that you cannot be tracked or collect any information from your browser. Interesting right?
You are probably asking yourself how, but it’s simple and possible with the help of the Domain Name System (DNS) encryption system. You are going to use the Transport Layer Security (TLS) to secure your computer and every other smart device you will be using to access the internet
Internet Privacy and security
To get started we are going to change our default data Provider’s DNS settings to what we call SafeServe to ensure adequate privacy and security while you surf the web. Why do I need to do this?
Good question, this is necessary because most of the Service providers we depend on uses an unprotected DNS full of loopholes. However, there is a way to make things more secure and free of charge. Yes, you heard me right free of charge and am not referring to any free or paid VPN.
I am done with the explanation, its time to take action and protect yourself on the web, especially if you are using one of these Operating Systems (OS)
- iOS
- Android
- macOs
- Windows
- Linux
- Router
Before I proceed kindly remember to copy down your device existing DNS server settings for future references or if something goes wrong.
Please be informed that the instructions given below only works via Wi-Fi connections only. DNS servers cannot be changed when connected to cellular networks. You will also need to change the DNS servers every time you connect to a new wireless network, as all changes are network specific.
iOS security and Privacy protection
Follow these simple steps to browse secure and safely without allowing anyone or bot collect your data.
- Open “Setting” on your iOS device
- Click on “Wi-Fi” to see the wireless network you are connected to. Click on the “i” icon.
- If you use iOS 11, find the “DNS” section and click on “Configure DNS”, then select “Manual”.
- Delete the current DNS servers.
- Tap “Add Server” and enter SafeServe resolvers: 198.54.117.10
- Tap “Save” in the right upper corner and exit the menu.
- Now try browsing any website in your mobile browser. If it’s loading, then you are good to go.
Android OS security and Privacy protection
If you are using any Android-powered device then this instruction is for you, It’s simple and easy to setup.
- Open “Setting” on your Android device.
- Click on “Wi-Fi” to see the wireless network you are connected to.
- Long press the Network you are currently connected to. Then, click on Modify Network.
- If you don’t see all settings, you may need to put a check for the “Advanced” box.
- Then find “Private DNS”.
- Click on Private DNS provider hostname.
- Enter safeservedns.com as DNS provider’s hostname.
- Save the settings.
- Now try browsing any website in your mobile browser. If it’s loading, then you are good to go.
Windows OS DNS security and Privacy protection
If you are using a Laptop, Desktop or any other windows powered device then you can protect yourself and whatever you do on the internet using this following simple DNS tricks.
- Right click on the Start menu and select Network Connections.
- Click Ethernet on the left side of the menu, then click “Change adapter options”.
- A new window should appear. Right-click the Wi-Fi connection you are connected to, and then select Properties.
- Select Internet Protocol Version 4 or 6, and then click on Properties again.
- Click on Use The Following DNS Server Addresses and type SafeServe resolvers IP 198.54.117.10 in the Preferred DNS server. You can use 198.54.117.11 for Alternate DNS server field. If you already have specific IPs mentioned in the mentioned fields, please make sure to write them down for future reference.
- Click Ok, then click Close, and again Close.
- Clear your DNS cache.
- Test your new settings by browsing any website via your browser. If it loads, then you are good to go.
macOS DNS security and Privacy protection
I fully understand how much you might have spent to acquire a MacBook and wouldn’t like to be monitored or tracked by anyone. What you need to do is to take some security measures to stay safe and protected, follow these steps below.
- Click on the Apple icon and open System Preferences.
- Open “Networks” settings.
- Select the WiFi network you are connected to (it should be the first one in the list) and then click on the “Advanced…” button in the right corner on the bottom of the page.
- You need to click on “DNS” and delete all current DNS settings by clicking on the “–” button.
- Click the + button to add a new DNS Server and enter SafeServe resolvers IP address: 198.54.117.10
- Click Ok, then click Apply.
- That’s it, enjoy the private and secure DNS browsing experience.
Always remember to clear the DNS cache on your browsers. This way, all the subsequent lookups will go through the newly configured DNS
Router security and Privacy protection
The good news is that your connection with most of the internet router can still be protected following these steps below.
- Open your router settings. For most of the models, you can access it via a URL with numbers.
- Find DNS server settings.
- Copy SafeServe IPs (198.54.117.10) and/or nameservers (safeservedns.com) and add them as your DNS server setting for the router.
- Save the changes.
- Clear the cache to ensure that your new DNS configuration settings take faster effect.
- Test your new settings by browsing any website via your browser. If it loads, then you are good to go.
Linux security and Privacy protection
You can protect your privacy while using Linus OS and let assume that you are using Ubuntu then you only need to do this.
- Click System > Preferences > Network Connections.
-
Select your connection:
For an Ethernet connection, select the Wired tab, then select your network interface from the list – usually called eth0.
For a wireless connection, select the Wireless tab, then select the wireless network.
- Click Edit. In the new window, select the IPv4 Settings or IPv6 Settings tab.
- If the selected method is Automatic (DHCP), open the dropdown and select Automatic (DHCP) addresses only. If there are other configurations for this method, do not change it.
- Enter the SafeServe DNS IP address 198.54.117.10 and/or 198.54.117.11 in the DNS servers field.
- Click Apply and enter your password or provide confirmation if prompted.
- Repeat the process for any extra network connections.
If your distribution doesn’t use Network Manager, your DNS settings are specified in /etc/resolv.conf.