Changing your DNS

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Speed and security are two things that most people care about when they are browsing the internet. An easy way to handle both is by changing your DNS. DNS stands for Domain Name System and to put it in simple terms, it assigns common names to IP addresses. Your ISP will assign you a DNS which is usually one of theirs. For the most part, it works fine unless something goes wrong and you have to call their tech support telling them that they have issues with their DNS servers and end up fixing the problem yourself on your end since you know more then they do.

If you want better peformance, consider using OpenDNS and Google Public DNS and both are free. OpenDNS and Google Public DNS are the two latest public DNS available. Besides making your web pages load faster, they give you the extra security of warning you that a website may be malicious when you do a web search. It does not prevent you from getting malware or a virus, it just marks suspicious websites that may possibly be dangerous. You're responsible for your own anti-virus and malware protection.

Here is the DNS information:

OpenDNS = 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220
Google Public DNS = 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4

By now, some of you may be saying, "huh?" so I'll make it simple for you and I will use the OpenDNS information in my directions. Feel free to use the Google Public DNS instead. OpenDNS actually does a lot more if you register with them, but that gets a lot more technical.

If you're using Windows XP

• Click on Start
• Click on Control Panel
• Click on Network and Internet Connections
• Click on Network Connections
• Double click on Local Area Connection or Wireless Network Connection
• Click on the Properties button
• Select Internet Protocal and then click on the Properties button
• Click on using the following DNS server addresses
• Preferred DNS, type in 208.67.222.222
• Alternate DNS, type in 208.67.220.220
• Click OK, Click OK, Click Close

If you're using Mac OS X

• Click the Apple icon in the upper left hand corner
• Click on System Preferences
• Click on Network
• In the DNS field, type in 208.67.222.222, 208.67.220.220 and click apply
• Close the System Preferences

If you're a little more tech savvy and have a router or a wireless router, you can make the DNS changes on the router itself so you don't have to change each computer.

**WARNING** If you have cable for your TV and internet and using the same router that the cable company gave you for both, don't change the DNS settings on the router since that may affect your cable TV. Just make changes on the computers. If there are any existing information, take note of that information before changing it in case you need to revert back to it.

**Disclaimer** I'm not responsible if you make a mistake that would prevent your internet from working properly.