Google Chrome Browser's Secure DNS Useful for a Safe and Reliable Internet

 Google Chrome Browser's Secure DNS Useful for a Safe and Reliable Internet

In today's era of the Internet, the Domain Name System (DNS) plays an important role by translating website names into IP addresses that computers understand. This process helps us access websites easily.

Google has been providing a 'Secure DNS' feature in its Chrome browser. It provides a more secure and private browsing experience for users by using the DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH) protocol.

How does Google Chrome's Secure DNS work?

Traditionally, DNS requests were sent in an unencrypted format. This allowed attackers on the same network to monitor users' browsing activity or redirect users to phishing websites. Chrome's Secure DNS feature encrypts DNS communications using the HTTPS protocol. Which is the protocol used to communicate securely with websites.

The HTTPS protocol has several advantages. Chrome can verify that it is communicating with the correct DNS service provider, which protects against fake service providers controlled by attackers.

The Chrome browser can verify that the response it receives from the DNS service provider has not been tampered with by attackers on the network, which prevents phishing attacks.

Chrome can communicate with the DNS service provider over an encrypted channel. This means that attackers on shared connections such as public Wi-Fi can no longer monitor which websites other users are visiting.

DNS over HTTPS provides a new and reliable foundation for the entire ecosystem. This makes it easier to follow further improvements using DNS as a delivery mechanism.

Users can go to Chrome's settings and search for Secure DNS and configure it according to their needs. There are options to disable the feature completely, or choose a specific DNS provider (DNS-over-HTTPS) from among the popular options, or to have a custom provider.

To use this feature in the Chrome browser, you need to go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Security > turn on Use Secure DNS and then go to Add custom DNS service provider.

DNS providers available in Chrome

When configuring the secure DNS settings in Chrome, you can choose from a variety of providers. One of them is Cloud Flare DNS (1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1). It is popular for its high speed and privacy. It does not keep user data logs and provides strong protection against cyber threats. Cloud Flare's DNS can also limit or bypass common restrictions and parental controls imposed on social networks.

There is another service provider, Google's Public DNS (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4). This option, which is among the most used and reliable DNS, offers the highest uptime and fastest domain resolution, strong protection against DNS attacks. Google can collect some user data from it. It can also circumvent the current ban on social media by the Nepal government to some extent.

Apart from this, you can also find Open DNS (208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220) in Chrome. Open DNS, owned by Cisco, offers excellent filtering options and an additional layer of security. It also provides protection against phishing attacks and malware. It can also provide parental control. Open DNS also seems to bypass the current social media ban easily.