ISPS DNS refers to the Domain Name System (DNS) service offered by your Internet Service Provider (ISP). A DNS service acts like a phonebook for the internet, translating website names into IP addresses.
Understanding DNS
- DNS Defined: Domain Name System (DNS) translates human-readable domain names (like google.com) into machine-readable IP addresses (like 172.217.160.142).
- The Role of a DNS Server: A DNS server is a network component responsible for performing this translation. When you type a website name into your browser, your computer queries a DNS server to find the corresponding IP address, allowing your browser to connect to the website.
How Your ISP Fits In
Your ISP typically provides default DNS servers that your devices automatically use when connected to their network. This means that when you browse the internet, your DNS queries are usually handled by your ISP's infrastructure.
Example:
Let's say you want to visit "example.com".
- You type "example.com" into your web browser.
- Your computer sends a request to your ISP's DNS server to find the IP address for "example.com".
- The ISP's DNS server looks up the IP address (e.g., 93.184.216.34) for "example.com".
- The ISP's DNS server sends the IP address back to your computer.
- Your computer uses the IP address to connect to the "example.com" web server and display the website.
Why Consider Alternative DNS Services?
While using your ISP's DNS is convenient, you might consider alternative DNS services for reasons such as:
- Speed: Some DNS services are faster than others, leading to quicker website loading times.
- Reliability: Alternative DNS providers may have more reliable infrastructure.
- Security: Some DNS services offer enhanced security features, such as protection against phishing and malware.
- Privacy: Some providers promise greater privacy by not logging your DNS queries or selling your browsing data.
