If you are having trouble accessing websites, or web access is slow, you may want to try switching to Google's DNS servers. DNS is the system used to translate domain names to numerical server addresses in order to access Internet content. If your ISP's DNS servers are not working or are slow, then switching to use Google's DNS servers can fix the problem, temporarily or permanently.
Gregory: If your ISP's DNS seems fast and isn't causing any issues, then it is probably makes little or difference. You could argue that if your ISP is smart then as a user of your ISP you have very fast access to your ISP's DNS server. Should be true, but often isn't. But you can try 8.8.8.4 and 8.8.4.4 (not 4.4.4.4) and see if you notice a difference. If you do, then you can leave it that way.
Danny C Davis
7 years ago
Gary how does using Google DNS affect privacy? Does Google track/record my requests. It seems this would negate my use of a VPN.
Danny: If you go to https://developers.google.com/speed/public-dns/faq you'll see that there is a section where Google answers privacy questions about their DNS service. You'd need to compare that to the privacy policies of your ISP, if they even bother to provide those for their DNS service (no idea where I would find the DNS privacy policy for my ISP).
As for negating the use of your VPN, the only information a DNS service could get is which domain names you have requested IP addresses for. They wouldn't see your data or which pages you are viewing. And the only information the DNS server would have about you is your IP address, which would not usually identify you with any certainty.
Still, if absolute privacy is something that is required of your job or otherwise, then your company may want to give you a private DNS or something to avoid the whole issue.
Geo Ludington
7 years ago
Why is your search domain blank?......does the change to google affect search domain? mine says eau.wi.charter.cm
Geo: I'm not using any search domains. Never really have used that feature. It sounds like your ISP has inserted their own domain in there, which probably doesn't cause any harm, but probably isn't useful either. Click the ? button at the bottom of that window to learn about what this feature does.
Toni K. Beldock
7 years ago
Wow. Just changed to Google's DNS. IMMEDIATE DIFFERENCE. Thanks, Gary!
Chris
7 years ago
Any value in preferring Google's DNS over another service like OpenDNS?
Chris: OpenDNS is another good option. Haven't tried it for a while. If it is free and doesn't require a sign-up and you trust them as much as Google, then I'd say they are equal options. Well, maybe Google has an advantage of lots of fast servers all over the world.
marcia christ
7 years ago
Under system preferences there are several DNS listed:
75.75.75.75
75.75.76.76 (listed 3 times)
2001:558:feed::1
2001:558:feed::2
Should I delete all of those and then add 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 ?
marcia: Only if you are having trouble. Remember, this is a way to fix problems. If you aren't having problems, then you don't need to try this. Those first two, by the way, are DNS servers for use by Comcast users.
brad
7 years ago
I was surprised to find my DNS was already "8.8.8.8" "8.8.4.4" and "domain.google" was in the box to the right. Could this have happened without me making the changes? Did you mention this before? Thanks!
brad: Perhaps you set it that way a long time ago. Or maybe it was automatically set by your ISP, though they don't usually do that, but it is possible.
Derek McCalden
7 years ago
Gary: When I go into the DNS section the DNS and +,- buttons are grey and I am unable to make changes. The DNS numbers are the same as my router. Why is it like this and can I change the DNS.
chris: You need to use a DNS to use the Internet. I can't see why Google's DNS wou;d be any different from your ISP's DNS from a privacy or security standpoint. If anything it may be more secure as if you take a MacBook out into the work and use a public Wi-Fi hotspot, it can then default to a DNS that has been compromised and lead to you to use a fake version of a real website. But if you are using Google DNS or any specific on you put in there, then it won't use the Wi-Fi's default DNS.
Alston Ray
7 years ago
Hi Gary, Do you recommend Namebench for Mac ? They can evaluate different servers.
Is there any reason not to put, 8.8.8.8 in first, then 4.4.4.4 second and 10.0.1.1 third and leave it that way?
Gregory: If your ISP's DNS seems fast and isn't causing any issues, then it is probably makes little or difference. You could argue that if your ISP is smart then as a user of your ISP you have very fast access to your ISP's DNS server. Should be true, but often isn't. But you can try 8.8.8.4 and 8.8.4.4 (not 4.4.4.4) and see if you notice a difference. If you do, then you can leave it that way.
Gary how does using Google DNS affect privacy? Does Google track/record my requests. It seems this would negate my use of a VPN.
Danny: If you go to https://developers.google.com/speed/public-dns/faq you'll see that there is a section where Google answers privacy questions about their DNS service. You'd need to compare that to the privacy policies of your ISP, if they even bother to provide those for their DNS service (no idea where I would find the DNS privacy policy for my ISP).
As for negating the use of your VPN, the only information a DNS service could get is which domain names you have requested IP addresses for. They wouldn't see your data or which pages you are viewing. And the only information the DNS server would have about you is your IP address, which would not usually identify you with any certainty.
Still, if absolute privacy is something that is required of your job or otherwise, then your company may want to give you a private DNS or something to avoid the whole issue.
Why is your search domain blank?......does the change to google affect search domain? mine says eau.wi.charter.cm
Geo: I'm not using any search domains. Never really have used that feature. It sounds like your ISP has inserted their own domain in there, which probably doesn't cause any harm, but probably isn't useful either. Click the ? button at the bottom of that window to learn about what this feature does.
Wow. Just changed to Google's DNS. IMMEDIATE DIFFERENCE. Thanks, Gary!
Any value in preferring Google's DNS over another service like OpenDNS?
Chris: OpenDNS is another good option. Haven't tried it for a while. If it is free and doesn't require a sign-up and you trust them as much as Google, then I'd say they are equal options. Well, maybe Google has an advantage of lots of fast servers all over the world.
Under system preferences there are several DNS listed:
75.75.75.75
75.75.76.76 (listed 3 times)
2001:558:feed::1
2001:558:feed::2
Should I delete all of those and then add 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 ?
marcia: Only if you are having trouble. Remember, this is a way to fix problems. If you aren't having problems, then you don't need to try this. Those first two, by the way, are DNS servers for use by Comcast users.
I was surprised to find my DNS was already "8.8.8.8" "8.8.4.4" and "domain.google" was in the box to the right. Could this have happened without me making the changes? Did you mention this before? Thanks!
brad: Perhaps you set it that way a long time ago. Or maybe it was automatically set by your ISP, though they don't usually do that, but it is possible.
Gary: When I go into the DNS section the DNS and +,- buttons are grey and I am unable to make changes. The DNS numbers are the same as my router. Why is it like this and can I change the DNS.
Derek: Are you using Sierra? Are you on an admin-level user account?
Yes, on Sierra and am logged in as admin.
Derek: not sure what the problem could be then. Would need a firsthand look.
Does changing the DNS create any security issues, going to a more public arena ?
chris: You need to use a DNS to use the Internet. I can't see why Google's DNS wou;d be any different from your ISP's DNS from a privacy or security standpoint. If anything it may be more secure as if you take a MacBook out into the work and use a public Wi-Fi hotspot, it can then default to a DNS that has been compromised and lead to you to use a fake version of a real website. But if you are using Google DNS or any specific on you put in there, then it won't use the Wi-Fi's default DNS.
Hi Gary, Do you recommend Namebench for Mac ? They can evaluate different servers.