1.1.1.1 is a public DNS resolver IP address provided by Cloudflare. The company offers this service free so that everyone can use it. The primary purpose of changing your public DNS is to improve your web browsing experience performance.
What is 1.1.1.1?
The 1.1.1.1 IP address can replace the DNS in your network configuration settings. Your broadband company provides the DNS server IP and alternate address by default. However, this server address tends to be relatively mediocre in performance.
By changing it to 1.1.1.1, you might notice faster web browsing speeds.
How a DNS Resolver Works
A DNS resolver works by converting a human-friendly domain name into a network-friendly IP address. Without it, you’d need to memorize many IP addresses comprised of strings of numbers. It’s an essential part of the Internet that serves this single purpose of DNS conversion.
You typically type an address into your browser navigation bar to access a website. That address is in the form of a readable string of characters like www.google.com. The DNS resolver takes that address and converts it to connected digits.
What is a Domain Name System?
The Domain Name System is the map that the DNS resolver works. It functions as a massive phone book of sorts, allowing the DNS resolver to translate domain names to IP addresses. This open system is used by all DNS resolvers worldwide.
There are two kinds of Domain Name System servers, the Authoritative Domain Name Server and the Authoritative Domain Name Server. Each plays a vital role within the Domain Name System.
Authoritative Domain Name Servers function as the database, maintaining structured group records of IP addresses and their corresponding locations. Authoritative Domain Name Servers search Authoritative Domain Name Servers to find the information requested by web browsers.
This entire ecosystem is known as the Domain Name System.
Why the Domain Name System is Necessary
Without the Domain Name System, the Internet would break. You could only abolish the Domain Name System if everyone using the Internet is willing to memorize the IP address for every website they wish to visit.
How to Use 1.1.1.1
You can use Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1 at multiple points. These include your devices or as a blanket implementation on your router. It’s advisable to implement it on your router for static devices like your home computer, but also on mobile devices like smartphones.
Aside from 1.1.1.1, you will also need to provide an Alternate DNS, which is 1.0.0.1.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Using 1.1.1.1
Like everything else, changing your DNS server to 1.1.1.1 offers pros and cons. Understanding how it works and these pros and cons can help you decide if it’s worth making the swap.
Advantages of 1.1.1.1
- Better security
- Increased website loading speeds
- Enhanced data privacy
- Can help bypass some ISP blocks
Disadvantages of 1.1.1.1
- False sense of invulnerability
- Possibly blocked by some service providers
- Unassociated data may be used for research
It should also be noted that if you use a VPN, the point of 1.1.1.1 becomes moot. VPN service providers each provide mandatory private DNS resolvers that are extremely high performance and secure. You won’t need to use 1.1.1.1 at all.
Final Thoughts on Using 1.1.1.1
If you aren’t using a VPN, 1.1.1.1 may offer a slightly better web experience. However, the benefit isn’t always noticeable and you may want to consider a VPN for its multiple other advantages. VPNs will go a long way to keeping you anonymous and safer online.
