Automatic IP Updates

Most residential internet connections use dynamic IP addresses that change periodically, which can interrupt your ad blocking service. This guide explains how to set up automatic IP updates to maintain uninterrupted protection.

Understanding Dynamic IP Addresses

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) typically assign dynamic IP addresses to residential connections. Your IP address might change when:

• Your router or modem restarts
• Your ISP performs maintenance
• You’ve been connected for an extended period
• You change locations (for mobile devices)

When your IP address changes, our ad blocking service won’t recognize your connection unless you update your registration.

Your Unique Update URL

Each account has a unique URL that automatically registers your current IP address with our system:

1. Log in to your DNS Privacy dashboard

2. Navigate to Known IPs > Automatic Updates

3. Copy your unique update URL, which looks like:

   https://dnsprivacy.org.uk/api/v1/update/YOUR-UNIQUE-TOKEN
   

When this URL is visited from your internet connection, our system will:

• Detect your current public IP address
• Register it with your account
• Remove any old IP addresses that have been replaced

Setup Methods

Method 1: Scheduled Tasks on Computers

Linux/Mac (Using Cron)

1. Open Terminal

2. Edit your crontab by running:

   crontab -e
   

3. Add a line to run every 6 hours:

   0 */6 * * * curl "https://dnsprivacy.org.uk/api/v1/update/YOUR-UNIQUE-TOKEN" > /dev/null 2>&1
   

4. Save and exit

Windows (Using Task Scheduler)

1. Open Task Scheduler (search for it in the Start menu)

2. Click “Create Basic Task”

3. Name it “DNS Privacy IP Update”

4. Set the trigger to “Daily” and configure it to recur every 1 day

5. Select “Start a program” as the action

6. In “Program/script” field enter: powershell

7. In “Add arguments” field enter:

   -Command "Invoke-WebRequest -Uri 'https://dnsprivacy.org.uk/api/v1/update/YOUR-UNIQUE-TOKEN' -UseBasicParsing"
   

8. Complete the wizard and click “Finish”

Method 2: Router-Based Solutions

Many modern routers support scheduled tasks or scripts:

DD-WRT Routers

1. Log in to your router’s admin panel

2. Navigate to “Administration” > “Commands”

3. Add the following to the Commands field:

   curl "https://dnsprivacy.org.uk/api/v1/update/YOUR-UNIQUE-TOKEN"
   

4. Click “Save Startup”

OpenWRT Routers

1. Connect to your router via SSH

2. Install the curl package:

   opkg update
   opkg install curl
   

3. Create a new cron job:

   echo "0 */6 * * * curl 'https://dnsprivacy.org.uk/api/v1/update/YOUR-UNIQUE-TOKEN'" >> /etc/crontabs/root
   

4. Reload cron:

   /etc/init.d/cron restart
   

Method 3: Mobile Devices

For devices that frequently change networks, consider using automation apps to trigger updates when connecting to new networks.

Troubleshooting

If your automatic updates aren’t working:

1. Verify your update URL - Make sure you’re using the correct unique token
2. Check your device’s internet connection - The device must be online to send updates
3. Test the URL manually - Try visiting the URL in a browser to confirm it works
4. Check for error messages - Look for any errors in your task scheduler or cron logs