The Domain Name System (DNS) server acts as an intermediary, translating human-readable domain names (like example.com) into numerical IP addresses that computers use to locate each other on the internet. A users internet service provider (ISP), such as Verizon, typically assigns a default DNS server. Changing from the default assigned by Verizon involves configuring network settings to use a different DNS server address.
Modifying DNS server settings can lead to improved browsing speed. ISP-provided DNS servers may become congested or experience outages, impacting resolution times. Utilizing alternative, often geographically closer, DNS servers can reduce latency. Enhanced security is another key reason. Some DNS providers offer filtering against malicious websites and phishing attempts, offering a layer of protection beyond standard ISP configurations. Furthermore, bypassing ISP-controlled DNS servers can mitigate potential censorship or logging practices that may be in place. Historically, early internet users were required to manually manage host files for name resolution, which the DNS system superseded, leading to a more scalable and manageable internet.
