Are YOU the Product? Your ISP Is Selling You Out — Fix This One DNS Setting Now!

Introduction

In this tutorial, we will discuss how your Internet Service Provider (ISP) can potentially sell your browsing data based on your DNS queries and how to mitigate this risk. By adjusting a simple DNS setting, you can enhance your online privacy and protect your personal information. This guide will walk you through the steps to secure your internet connection effectively.

Step 1: Understand What DNS Is

• Definition: DNS stands for Domain Name System. It translates human-friendly domain names (like www.example.com) into IP addresses that computers use to communicate with each other.
• Privacy Concern: ISPs can monitor your DNS queries, which means they can track the websites you visit and potentially sell this information.

Step 2: Choose a Privacy-Focused DNS Provider

• Recommended DNS Providers:
  • Cloudflare DNS: 1.1.1.1
  • Google Public DNS: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4
  • OpenDNS: 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220
• Benefits:
  • These providers often have enhanced privacy policies and may not log your browsing data.

Step 3: Change Your DNS Settings on Windows

1. Open Network Settings:
   • Right-click on the network icon in the system tray and select "Open Network & Internet settings."
2. Access Network Properties:
   • Click on "Change adapter options."
3. Select Your Network:
   • Right-click on your active network connection (e.g., Ethernet or Wi-Fi) and select "Properties."
4. Modify IPv4 Settings:
   • Select "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)" and click "Properties."
5. Set the DNS Server:
   • Choose "Use the following DNS server addresses" and enter the DNS addresses you selected earlier.
   • Example for Cloudflare:

     Preferred DNS server: 1.1.1.1
     Alternate DNS server: 1.0.0.1
     

6. Save Changes:
   • Click "OK" and then "Close" to apply your new settings.

Step 4: Change Your DNS Settings on macOS

1. Open System Preferences:
   • Click on the Apple menu and select "System Preferences."
2. Access Network Settings:
   • Choose "Network."
3. Select Your Network:
   • Highlight your active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and click "Advanced."
4. Modify DNS Settings:
   • Go to the "DNS" tab and click the "+" button to add the new DNS server addresses.
   • Example for Cloudflare:

     1.1.1.1
     1.0.0.1
     

5. Apply Changes:
   • Click "OK," then "Apply" to save your new settings.

Step 5: Test Your New DNS Settings

• Verify Changes: Use websites such as dnsleaktest.com to check if your DNS queries are being routed through the new provider.
• Ensure Privacy: Look for any leaks that might indicate your ISP is still being used.

Conclusion

By changing your DNS settings to a privacy-focused provider, you significantly enhance your online security and protect your browsing history from being sold by your ISP. Regularly check your settings and ensure no leaks occur. Taking these steps empowers you to maintain your privacy while browsing the internet. Consider additional privacy measures such as using a VPN for further protection.