What is DNS Privacy? ​
When you access the internet, whether it's visiting a website, streaming a video, or sending an email, your device relies on the Domain Name System (DNS) to translate human-readable domain names (like example.com) into the numerical IP addresses that computers use to communicate. This process happens silently in the background, but it’s essential to how the internet works.
However, traditional DNS queries are sent over the internet in plain text. This means that anyone monitoring your internet traffic—such as your internet service provider (ISP), network operators, or even malicious actors—can see which websites you’re visiting. This lack of privacy exposes users to risks such as:
- Tracking and profiling: ISPs or advertisers can log your browsing history to build a profile of your online activity.
- Manipulation of traffic: DNS queries can be intercepted and altered, potentially redirecting you to malicious websites.
- Data leakage: Sensitive information about your browsing habits could be exposed to third parties without your consent.
Why DNS Privacy Matters ​
Protecting DNS traffic is a crucial step towards safeguarding your online privacy and security. Without DNS privacy measures, even if your browsing data is encrypted (e.g., via HTTPS), the sites you visit could still be visible to anyone monitoring your DNS traffic. This creates significant vulnerabilities, particularly in environments where privacy is essential, or in such as public Wi-Fi networks or your work place.
By using a DNS privacy service, users can:
- Prevent eavesdropping: Ensure that DNS queries are encrypted, making it difficult for third parties to snoop on your browsing activity.
- Enhance security: Protect against DNS-based attacks, such as man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks or DNS spoofing.
- Maintain anonymity: Reduce the amount of personal data that can be collected and exploited by advertisers or other entities.
How the UK DNS Privacy Project Helps ​
The UK DNS Privacy Project is designed to provide a free, secure, and privacy-respecting DNS service for internet users in the UK. By leveraging modern encryption protocols like DNS over HTTPS (DoH) and DNS over TLS (DoT), we ensure that your DNS queries are:
- Encrypted: Shielding them from prying eyes and making them unreadable to anyone monitoring your connection.
- Private: We do not log your queries, ensuring that your browsing habits remain your business.
- Fast and Reliable: Our UK-based servers are optimised for low-latency performance, giving you a seamless internet experience without compromising on privacy.
With the UK DNS Privacy Project, you can take back control of your online activity and enjoy the internet without worrying about who might be watching.