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MacBH928

macrumors G3
Original poster
May 17, 2008
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There is been some talk about using a "private" DNS like Quad9 (9.9.9.9) that helps with your internet privacy especially from using your ISP's DNS. How does this work? Doesn't your ISP see your traffic either way unless you are on VPN?
 

satcomer

Suspended
Feb 19, 2008
9,115
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The Finger Lakes Region
VPN mean virtual private network so data is encrypt from the VPN client to VPN Service! So the ISP just sees garbled traffic coming from you! That is point of VPN service!
 

Significant1

macrumors 68000
Dec 20, 2014
1,686
780
VPN mean virtual private network so data is encrypt from the VPN client to VPN Service! So the ISP just sees garbled traffic coming from you! That is point of VPN service!
Better reread the post, I seems OP is aware about what VPN does, but not how changing dns by itself helps.

That said I don't have an answer to the original question.
 

MacBH928

macrumors G3
Original poster
May 17, 2008
8,737
3,896
Better reread the post, I seems OP is aware about what VPN does, but not how changing dns by itself helps.

That said I don't have an answer to the original question.

Yes I would like to know how changing DNS server helps with privacy. Last I told unless its VPN, the ISP will see your traffic.
 

satcomer

Suspended
Feb 19, 2008
9,115
1,977
The Finger Lakes Region
Well for thin most DNS centers in ISP use public severs in one’s Government! So to keep up to dat go to source that closet to you would be the best! To change in you router just get into router and follow your nose to section to ISP section and manually put into the closet server to you!

Now in Safari Private browsing that just means Safari will not collect cookies that web site deposit on ones browser! It is just bad name and IMHO it should just say will not collect cookies mode or something along that line!

OK also when you get a VPN client (of your trust) and also on Mac OS in network/advanced tab put a check mark in send all data through VPN connection!
 

TriBruin

macrumors 6502
Jul 28, 2008
476
1,002
Yes I would like to know how changing DNS server helps with privacy. Last I told unless its VPN, the ISP will see your traffic.

If you are using the DNS servers of your ISP, then they know what websites you are visiting. They may even keep a log of what websites you requested. If you change your DNS setting, you are no longer giving your ISP that information. But do you trust the other DNS provider? How are they using your data?

However, your ISP could intercept your DNS requests (and track them) since most DNS request are made over insecure methods.
 

jeyf

macrumors 68020
Jan 20, 2009
2,173
1,044
if your running a public VPN service ike nordVPV, the vpn itself asserts its own dns settings. Some vpn's own operate their own DNS some times they hire it out. Either way, the vpn serice over rides your dns settings.

there is a rumor some internet providors have a script maybe in your cable modem to over ride your dns settings and inject their own.

there is a few web sites that will report back exactly who is your dns. I dont know the best and safe ones to pick here?

there are a few encrypted dns
 

MacBH928

macrumors G3
Original poster
May 17, 2008
8,737
3,896
Your provider can see your traffic no matter what DNS you're using under normal circumstances.

Then why do services like quad9 even bothering building their own DNS as a private alternative? There is also NextDNS and AdGuard. Something is missing from the picture.

if your running a public VPN service ike nordVPV, the vpn itself asserts its own dns settings. Some vpn's own operate their own DNS some times they hire it out. Either way, the vpn serice over rides your dns settings.

there is a rumor some internet providors have a script maybe in your cable modem to over ride your dns settings and inject their own.

there is a few web sites that will report back exactly who is your dns. I dont know the best and safe ones to pick here?

there are a few encrypted dns

Yes, some devices/software force their own DNS like Chromecast and I think Samsung TVs. I use ipleak.net to check my dns.
 
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Brian33

macrumors 65816
Apr 30, 2008
1,472
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USA (Virginia)
Doesn't your ISP see your traffic either way unless you are on VPN?
Yes. My understanding is that you would either need to be using a VPN, or take active measures on your devices or network to deploy encrypted DNS (DoT or DoH).

https://blog.cloudflare.com/dns-encryption-explained/

Below are quotes from relevant sections of the article (emphasis mine):

Ever since DNS was created in 1987, it has been largely unencrypted. Everyone between your device and the resolver is able to snoop on or even modify your DNS queries and responses. This includes anyone in your local Wi-Fi network, your Internet Service Provider (ISP), and transit providers. This may affect your privacy by revealing the domain names that are you are visiting.

Two standardized mechanisms exist to secure the DNS transport between you and the resolver, DNS over TLS (2016) and DNS Queries over HTTPS (2018).

As both DoT and DoH are relatively new, they are not universally deployed yet. On the server side, major public resolvers including Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1 and Google DNS support it. Many ISP resolvers however still lack support for it.
 
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Brian33

macrumors 65816
Apr 30, 2008
1,472
372
USA (Virginia)
Then why do services like quad9 even bothering building their own DNS as a private alternative? There is also NextDNS and AdGuard. Something is missing from the picture.
Do they require you to install an app or other software on your device? If so, it might be enabling encrypted DNS.
 

jeyf

macrumors 68020
Jan 20, 2009
2,173
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it is a worthless effort to take control of your DNS.
to prove my point; every now and than take a peek at: SystemPreferences -> Network -> DNS -> DNS Servers
it should normally be pointed 192.168.x.1 Your hone network router

so back to the public VPN:
Using a public VPN service, using one of their off-shore servers in a hell hole area of the world the DNS you use in N America might be effective.


i almost always use a public vpn service, even in my iPhone
it does NOT hide as much as you think
 

MacBH928

macrumors G3
Original poster
May 17, 2008
8,737
3,896
Do they require you to install an app or other software on your device? If so, it might be enabling encrypted DNS.

DoT and DoH is cool but their argument is that it just hides the data from your ISP and makes it available to your DNS provider (Cloudflare). I don't use it as I use PiHole and rather use a VPN over simple DoT.

To use Quad9 all you have to do is switch your DNS provider to 9.9.9.9 which can be done on almost any device in the network preferences. I believe encrypted DNS does not require extra software, FireFox has it built in and set ON by default now days.

This is the Quad9 website: https://www.quad9.net


it is a worthless effort to take control of your DNS.
to prove my point; every now and than take a peek at: SystemPreferences -> Network -> DNS -> DNS Servers
it should normally be pointed 192.168.x.1 Your hone network router

so back to the public VPN:
Using a public VPN service, using one of their off-shore servers in a hell hole area of the world the DNS you use in N America might be effective.


i almost always use a public vpn service, even in my iPhone
it does NOT hide as much as you think

I think you are missing the point how VPN works. It anonymise the users. A thousand people (including you) connect to the VPN server, then that server uses DNS resolvers. The problem is the DNS provider does not know WHO is making the request except that its coming from the VPN server.

If your VPN provider does not log who connected to their server and when, its impossible to know who made the requests hence providing privacy. You have to trust the VPN provider kind of like how you trust your doctor, lawyer, or bank. The only VPN providers I find trust worthy are ProtonVPN and Mullvad, but I trust Proton more.
 
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