You know websites aren’t hosted somewhere on places like “LeafAndCore.com,” right? There isn’t a server called LeafAndCore.com somewhere, it’s an IP address. You use something called a Domain Name System (DNS) to lookup that IP address. Somewhere, there’s a server that knows that LeafAndCore.com = 127.0.0.1 (no, that’s not the real IP, that’s your local IP address).
You can download content from nodes, rather than having to wait for the download from the main source.
These days, websites aren’t just stored at one location. They’re stored in a variety of locations, often in parts. Images might come from one location, while the database and web content itself come from elsewhere. Think of a website like quilt, patched together. Now, a website is a living quilt, that means some parts change, while others don’t have to. Rather than replace the whole quilt, a server can send you only the new information. It does this through caching, that is, storing websites so it knows what’s old and what’s new. It’ll store these parts in places all over the world, so the website is always close to you. Since a server doesn’t have to download everything before sending you the whole page, and it’s sending it to you from a place nearby, you can get it faster.
Still with me? Basically, a DNS can help find you the fastest place to get that stored website. With fewer nodes to traverse before it gets to your device, you get a faster internet. Cloudflare is a company whose business model is to make the internet faster through a content delivery network (CDN), which performs this caching and rapid webpage delivery.
Good? Good. Because Cloudflare just launched a new DNS service, and it’ll radically speed up your internet. Here’s how to use it on iOS and macOS. You can set it and completely forget it.
You can find instructions on Cloudflare’s website. Ironically, you access it through its IP address, not a domain name, but I think you can remember it: https://1.1.1.1. Once you’re there, just tap install, and the website will guide you.
Basically, your network settings already have a place for a DNS server: your internet service provider’s (ISP). Your internet will automatically configure to the DNS from your ISP. But you don’t want to use it. No offense to your ISP, but the DNS service they’re using is likely terrible. I used Google’s for years, and now I’ve switched to Cloudflare’s. So far, so good!
Setting Cloudflare DNS Service Up on iOS and macOS
Wifi > Wifi Settings > Configure DNS, add DNS Servers” width=”2048″>On iOS, you’d go to Settings > WiFi. Tap the ‘i’ icon. Then scroll down to Configure DNS. It’ll say “Automatic.” We’re going to change that. Tap it. You’ll want to delete the existing entries, but, if you want, you can add them as backups for the Cloudflare DNS. That way, if Cloudflare’s unavailable, you can still use your old DNS (or 8.8.8.8, Google’s DNS). Press the + button and add 1.1.1.1.
Easily add DNS servers
On macOS, you’ll go to System Preferences > Network. Select Advanced, then click the DNS tab. From there, click the + button and add 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1 to your DNS servers. It’s just as easy as it is on iOS. This stuff might sound complicated, but it’s really not.
Android, Routers, and PCs
No matter what OS you’re using, the instructions are very similar. Android is the only outlier. For Android, you have to set a static IP address. However, after that, it’s largely the same. A better option would be to set your DNS on your router. This will be different on any router manufacturer, but, again, it’s pretty easy to set up. Best of all, by setting your DNS on your router, all your other devices will automatically use it. Therefore, Android, through a weird usability issue, sets you on the right track to speed up and protect all of your browsing.
Your router gateway IP is likely 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1. Still, you should look it up yourself in your instruction manual.
Changing your DNS will lead to faster browsing. Plus, thanks to the secured connection, your ISP can’t spy on the websites you’re browsing. With Cloudflare’s encrypted DNS, you’ll both browse faster and safer. I promise setup is far less difficult than it sounds, and once you do, you’ll immediately notice faster internet speeds.