What is Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1 DNS and how can it speed up your internet?

Security and speed. These are two elements highly valued by those of us who surf the internet daily. One of the services that has gained popularity for offering both is Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1 DNS. But what exactly is this DNS, and how can it speed up your internet? Here's how. We'll tell you if it's worth trying..

What is DNS and why does it matter?

In previous posts we have already talked in depth about What is DNS and what is it for?, and also about options such as OpenDNS and its benefitsNow let's take a look at Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1 DNS, a service that has gained ground in recent years for being secure and, above all, fast. Although it's not without its drawbacks, you might, like many, be convinced by all its advantages.

You already know that the Domain Name System (DNS) It works like an internet phone book. That is, when you type in a web address, such as tecnobits.com, your computer needs to translate that name into an IP address (a sequence of numbers) to find the correct server. Well, that translation process from natural language to code is done by the DNS—and thank goodness! Otherwise, we'd have to type in each IP address.

Most of us use the DNS server provided by our Internet Service Provider (ISP) by default. However, These default servers are not always the fastest or most secure.That's where solutions like Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1 DNS come into play, a service that many believe can give your internet a significant boost.

What is Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1 DNS?

What is Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1 DNS and how can it speed up your internet? Let's start at the beginning. Cloudflare launched its 1.1.1.1 public DNS service in April 2018, in collaboration with APNIC. Their goal was clear: offer a faster and more secure DNS service than traditional DNSThey are also committed to privacy, ensuring that they do not store or sell browsing data to third parties.

In addition to the primary 1.1.1.1 address, Cloudflare's DNS It has other addresses that you can use depending on the filter you want to apply.Aside from offering faster website loading times, these addresses make it easier to block certain content. Let's take a closer look at the addresses available to those who decide to try Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1 DNS.

Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 DNS

Cloudflare's primary DNS is 1.1.1.1: simple, easy to remember and without any type of filter for specific content. However, it significantly improves website loading speeds, which is why it's recommended for most users. Its secondary DNS address is 1.0.0.1.

DNS 1.1.1.2

If you want to apply filters while browsing the web, Cloudflare has other DNS addresses. For example, The 1.1.1.2 address is capable of blocking malware and malicious websites, adding an extra layer of security. This address also has a secondary address, 1.0.0.2.

DNS 1.1.1.3

If you want to block malware and also, prevent websites with adult content from loading, you can apply the address DNS 1.1.1.3This option is perfect if you have children at home, as it prevents access to age-inappropriate content. Like the previous options, it also has a secondary address: 1.0.0.3.

How can Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1 DNS speed up your internet?

To understand why Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1 DNS can speed up your internet, it's worth remembering what happens when you search the web. Every time you type a web address, your browser queries the DNS server, which acts like a phone book and converts the name you typed into an IP address. If the DNS server is slow to respond, page loading is also delayed..

Therefore, browsing speed depends largely on how quickly DNS queries are resolved. When you use your internet provider's DNS, queries may pass through several nodes before being resolved, which increases loading time. In contrast, Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1 DNS uses a global Anycast network, which means that Your query is routed to the closest server, thus reducing latency.

Another reason 1.1.1.1 can speed up your internet is its efficient caching. Cloudflare It handles traffic for millions of websites, and its infrastructure spans more than 330 cities worldwide.As a result, Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1 DNS has a highly optimized cache with near-instant resolutions, regardless of your location or the traffic a given website has.

How to set up Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1 DNS on your devices

It is not surprising that, in the opinion of specialized portals, such as dnsperf, 1.1.1.1 is the third fastest DNS in the world, with an average response time of 13,28 milliseconds (ms). And if we measure its speed only In Europe, it rises to first place With a loading speed of just 6.1 ms. Ready to try it? Let's see how you can set up 1.1.1.1 on your devices.

On Android

1. Go to Settings - Wi-Fi
2. Long press on your network and select Modify network
3. In IP Settings, choose Static
4. Enter 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1 as the primary and secondary DNS, respectively.

On iOS

1. Opens Settings - Wi-Fi
2. Tap the “i” icon next to your network
3. Go to DNS configuration - Manual
4. Add 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1

On windows

1. Open the Control panel - Network Center
2. Go to Change adapter settings
3. Right click on your connection and select Properties
4. En Internet Protocol version 4 (TCP/IPv4), enter DNS

On the router

If you prefer, you can set Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1 DNS directly on your routerThis way, all connected devices will use that address and enjoy faster speeds and any filters you decide to apply.

1. Access the router by typing 192.168.1.1 in your browser.
2. Enter your username and password.
3. Find the DNS section and replace the values with 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1.
4. Save the changes and reboot the router.

Will you really notice the difference? It all depends on the speed offered by your current ISP's default DNS. In any case, trying Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1 DNS is simple and can change your browsing experience for the better. faster, more private and with additional protection.