Domain Name System (or DNS) is a crucial part of the internet. It allows us to use convenient names like makeuseof.com to access web resources.

And all of this data, in the form of DNS queries, are usually recorded by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and anyone who wishes to spy on our network activity.

To protect your DNS queries, an encrypted DNS service is helpful. But how does an encrypted DNS make a difference? When should you use them? And how to use them?

What Is Encrypted DNS?

DNS queries include the website addresses you visit and any other information associated with them (like IP address, port, etc.)

By default, these queries remain unprotected. With an encrypted DNS, you can keep those queries private from your ISP and not let potential attackers spy on your activity. In some cases, you can also unblock access to services with an encrypted DNS, eliminating the need for a VPN.

Similar to why we prefer HTTPS connections over HTTP, secure DNS or encrypted DNS should eventually become the norm for safe browsing. Not to forget, a secure DNS also helps permanently eliminate the risk of a privacy leak of your browsing activity.

Two popular connection protocols are used to encrypt DNS: DNS over TLS and DNS over HTTPS. Some also support DNSCrypt, which is a somewhat older protocol to secure the DNS connection. You're welcome to explore the differences between these options, but if you don't want to, you should be good with a service using any of these techniques to secure DNS queries.

When Should You Use Encrypted DNS?

If you do not use an encrypted DNS, attackers can use DNS hijacking to fool you into browsing a fake webpage. Furthermore, a firewall can easily block or affect your connection when using an unencrypted DNS. If you want a secure browsing experience and a minimal way to bypass firewalls to unblock access to specific sites, you should try an encrypted DNS.

Some services also offer a way to block trackers that you encounter while browsing the internet. Of course, this can be a redundant solution if you already use a browser extension or a similar option to block online trackers.

While privacy-focused DNS services have become more common than you might expect, it is not a hassle-free solution. Occasionally, you might come across a broken website or find that your access is restricted. Switching back to the unprotected DNS from your ISP usually solves the issue.

Moreover, if you use an encrypted DNS, you may not be able to use a VPN service simultaneously, whether it is your phone or a computer.

So, yes, you will find yourself in situations where unencrypted DNS proves a convenient option. You can use encrypted DNS per your requirements as long as you know how it works.

Best Encrypted DNS Provider

There are various DNS providers that let you take control of your home network or organization, but not all support encrypted DNS protocols to keep your DNS queries private.

You should opt for the best secure DNS providers to get the best privacy protection and extra functionalities to secure your browsing experience. Some options include:

1. NextDNS

NextDNS provides an encrypted DNS connection and offers features like a full-fledged firewall.

You can use NextDNS to configure your browsing experience, block native trackers on your mobile, block malware, enforce a safelist or denylist, and more. There is also an option to log your DNS queries to analyze and track the network requests involved. You can access the service using a mobile app or custom DNS configuration.

NextDNS is free to get started but provides an optional premium purchase to unlock the limits to handle massive network requests. Learn more about the service in our guide on NextDNS.

2. Cloudflare WARP

Cloudflare WARP is a genius technology that acts as a VPN but is not entirely the same. This is one of the best options for most users who do not want to configure much but want a secure and easy experience.

You can choose to use DNS-over-HTTPs to encrypt your connection or its special WARP protocol. The DNS queries remain private when you use them.

Cloudflare WARP is available for mobile and desktop platforms. Unlike NextDNS, you do not get any extra abilities, but to get access to a faster routing network, you can get a WARP+ subscription.

3. AdGuard DNS

AdGuard DNS is popular for its tracker-blocking capabilities, making it easy to do that while securing your browsing experience with an encrypted connection.

You can use AdGuard DNS as is, choose the family protection, or try a safe search option to get a secure experience without blocking anything.

The service supports the most popular DNS encryption protocols, including DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH) and DNS-over-TLS (DoT).

4. Control D

Control D is a similar service to the options above, with more functionalities.

You can use it for free, utilizing secure DNS protocols to keep your internet activity private. Whether you want to secure your DNS queries or need blocking capabilities, Control D should be a good fit to try.

For a premium, you can also access VPN-like features to change your location and try unblocking certain services. ControlD supports a wide range of platforms since you can manage most of the service via a web browser.

Protect Your DNS Queries to Keep Your Internet Activity Private

Changing your DNS provider is easy and does not affect internet speeds, unlike a VPN service.

In most cases, you get to keep your activity private from your ISP and prying eyes on your network for free. In addition, you can customize and control a part of your experience by blocking trackers and malware, using parental control features, and logging network requests (when needed).

But if you do not want to compromise on anything and want to hide your IP address in the process, a VPN is a superior solution.