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What Is Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 DNS? Understanding the Benefits and Step-by-Step Setup Guide

In the dynamic landscape of online connectivity, choosing the right Domain Name System (DNS) servers can significantly impact your internet experience. Among the myriad of options, Cloudflare Public DNS emerges as a powerful and reliable choice. This guide aims to unravel the distinctive advantages of Cloudflare Public DNS, exploring how it can enhance your internet performance, bolster security, and contribute to a seamless online journey.

Table of Contents

What is DNS?

DNS stands for Domain Name System. It's essentially the phonebook of the internet. When you type a website address (like whatismyipnow.com) into your browser, your computer needs to find the IP address associated with that domain name. This is where DNS comes in.

DNS servers translate human-readable domain names into machine-readable IP addresses, allowing your computer to connect to the correct web server. Without DNS, you would have to remember and type in complex IP addresses instead of easy-to-remember domain names.

Your internet service provider (ISP) usually provides default DNS servers, but you can choose to use other public DNS servers for potential benefits like increased speed, reliability, and security.


What is Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 DNS?

Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 is a public DNS resolver offered by Cloudflare, a well-known internet infrastructure and security company. It was launched in 2018 with a strong focus on privacy and speed.

Unlike many default ISP DNS servers, Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 is designed to be faster and more secure. They have a large global network of servers, which can result in quicker lookups and faster loading times for websites. Additionally, Cloudflare has a strong commitment to user privacy, promising not to use your browsing data for targeted advertising or other purposes.

The IP addresses for Cloudflare's public DNS are easy to remember: **1.1.1.1** (primary) and **1.0.0.1** (secondary) for IPv4, and **2606:4700:4700::1111** (primary) and **2606:4700:4700::1001** (secondary) for IPv6.

Many users switch to Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 to improve their browsing experience and gain more control over their DNS resolution.


Benefits of Using Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 DNS

  1. Blazing Fast Performance:

    Cloudflare is renowned for its global network infrastructure designed for speed and efficiency. By leveraging strategically positioned servers worldwide, Cloudflare Public DNS ensures rapid domain resolution, reducing latency and optimizing your internet experience. Faster load times and snappier response rates are just a few clicks away.

  2. Robust Security Measures:

    Security is paramount in the digital realm, and Cloudflare doesn't disappoint. Its DNS service comes equipped with built-in security features, including DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH) and DNS-over-TLS (DoT) encryption protocols. These protocols enhance privacy and protect against various cyber threats, ensuring that your online activities remain secure and confidential.

  3. Privacy-Focused Approach:

    Cloudflare is committed to user privacy. The company has a strict policy of not selling user data or using it for targeted advertising. By choosing Cloudflare Public DNS, you're aligning with a service provider that prioritizes the confidentiality of your online interactions, setting a high standard for digital privacy.

  4. Global Accessibility:

    Cloudflare's extensive network spans the globe, ensuring that users across different regions can benefit from its DNS services. The distributed nature of Cloudflare's infrastructure contributes to increased reliability, as requests are automatically routed to the nearest data center, minimizing latency and optimizing performance.


How to switch to Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 DNS on your device

Making the switch to Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 DNS is a straightforward process, and it can be done on various devices, including routers, computers, and smartphones. Here's a general guide:

Set up Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 DNS on Windows:

  1. Go to Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center.
  2. Click on your active network connection.
  3. Click "Properties."
  4. Select "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)" and click "Properties."
  5. Select "Use the following DNS server addresses."
  6. Enter the following Cloudflare DNS server addresses:
    • Preferred DNS server: 1.1.1.1
    • Alternate DNS server: 1.0.0.1
  7. If you have IPv6 enabled, also select "Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)" and click "Properties."
  8. Select "Use the following DNS server addresses."
  9. Enter the following Cloudflare DNS server addresses:
    • Preferred DNS server: 2606:4700:4700::1111
    • Alternate DNS server: 2606:4700:4700::1001
  10. Click "OK" to save your changes.

Set up 1.1.1.1 Cloudflare DNS on macOS:

  1. Go to System Preferences > Network.
  2. Select your active network connection.
  3. Click "Advanced."
  4. Go to the "DNS" tab.
  5. Click the "+" button to add new DNS server addresses.
  6. Enter the following DNS server addresses:
    • 1.1.1.1
    • 1.0.0.1
    • 2606:4700:4700::1111
    • 2606:4700:4700::1001
  7. Click "OK" and then "Apply."

Set up Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 DNS on Android:

  1. Open your device's Settings.
  2. Tap on "Network & internet" or "Connections," depending on your device.
  3. Select "Wi-Fi."
  4. Tap and hold the network you're connected to, then select "Modify network" or "Manage network settings."
  5. Check "Show advanced options."
  6. Change "IP settings" to "Static."
  7. Scroll down to "DNS 1," "DNS 2," "DNS 3" and "DNS 4".
  8. Enter 1.1.1.1 for DNS 1, 1.0.0.1 for DNS 2, 2606:4700:4700::1111 for DNS 3 and 2606:4700:4700::1001 for DNS 4.
  9. Save your changes.

Set up Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 DNS on iPhone:

  1. Open your device's Settings.
  2. Tap on "Wi-Fi."
  3. Tap the "i" icon next to the Wi-Fi network you're connected to.
  4. Scroll down to "Configure DNS" and tap it.
  5. Select "Manual."
  6. Tap "Add Server" and enter 1.1.1.1, add another server and enter 1.0.0.1, add another server and enter 2606:4700:4700::1111, and add another server and enter 2606:4700:4700::1001
  7. Tap "Save."

Cloudflare DNS Servers (IPv4 / IPv6):

Below is a list of Cloudflare Public DNS servers for IPv4 and IPv6, offering fast and reliable resolution of domain names:

Cloudflare Public DNS for IPv4:

Server Address Location Advantages
1.1.1.1 Global Fastest overall performance, privacy-focused
1.0.0.1 Global Alternative server for redundancy
1.1.1.2 Global Blocks malware and phishing sites
1.0.0.2 Global Alternative malware and phishing blocking server
1.1.1.3 Global Blocks malware, phishing, and adult content
1.0.0.3 Global Alternative server for blocking malware, phishing, and adult content

Cloudflare Public DNS for IPv6:

Server Address Location Advantages
2606:4700:4700::1111 Global Fastest overall performance, privacy-focused
2606:4700:4700::1001 Global Alternative server for redundancy
2606:4700:4700::1112 Global Blocks malware and phishing sites
2606:4700:4700::1002 Global Alternative malware and phishing blocking server
2606:4700:4700::1113 Global Blocks malware, phishing, and adult content
2606:4700:4700::1003 Global Alternative server for blocking malware, phishing, and adult content

Conclusion

Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 DNS offers a compelling alternative to default ISP DNS servers, providing significant advantages in terms of speed, privacy, and security. By offering faster lookups, enhanced privacy protection, and a user-friendly setup process, Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 empowers users to take greater control over their online experience. If you're looking to improve your browsing speed and enhance your online privacy, switching to Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 is definitely worth considering.