

It’s like your contact list, but it matches domain names with numeric IP addresses. But you know everyone’s names, and can look them up in your contacts list on your smartphone. Think about it like this: you may remember that one of your family members lives at 123 Overview Lane, and maybe even recall a few of your friends’ phone numbers and email addresses, but you probably can’t remember them all. Think of it like a “virtual postal address.” The servers that handle your requests don’t actually understand domain names like – their language is numbers, and they only understand numeric IP addresses like 191.76.350.198.

Every internet user and domain has an IP address. But there’s a little bit more to it, and we’ve got the Domain Name System (DNS) to thank for making it seem so simple. You type into your browser, and bang, the website shows up on your screen and starts feeding you loads of information and content on internet privacy and cybersecurity. The concept of surfing the internet seems simple enough. But how does it work? What is a DNS server? Which are safe to use? Can you switch servers? This article will answer all of these questions, and more. Whether it’s browsing social media, checking email, or looking at the news, DNS is what you use to get where you’re going online. Though the Domain Name System (DNS) is one of the cornerstones of the internet’s functionality, many users aren’t aware they use it every single day. Want to know more about DNS servers and which are safe to use? Read the full article below. Some of the most popular choices are Google Public DNS (8.8.8.8. Many public DNS servers provide heightened security, faster speeds, and constant uptime, in addition to other features like content blocking. Internet users may decide to change their primary DNS server for any one of these reasons, or may just be interested in trying a third party provider. DNS servers are devices or programs that store millions of corresponding domains and their IP addresses across the globe.Īn Internet Service Provider (ISP) usually sets up users with a DNS server, which, depending on the ISP, could be slow, insecure, or unreliable. Since computers only know numbers, DNS serves as an online directory to match domain names like with their IP address counterparts. The Domain Name System (DNS) is one of the foundations of internet use.
