Use Google's DNS servers or ISP ones

jimbo45 · 01 Feb 2017

Hi there

two questions on using alternate DNS servers

1) Are things like Google's DNS servers better to use than ISP ones -- any measuring indications available ?

2) Are your Geo-rights still the same when using alternate DNS servers --I don't want for example to lose connections to USA version of Netflix.

In passing I've noticed though when using the GOOGLE DNS servers all my W10 computers can see each other on LAN correctly -- not sure if there's any reason why this should be so but it seems to work !!!!

Cheers
jimbo

TairikuOkami · 01 Feb 2017

To answer the general question, it is always better to use alternative DNS servers rather than ISP's.

1, Speed test - Google Code Archive - Long-term storage for Google Code Project Hosting.

Not to mention, malware/phishing protection, spelling error correction, filtering (depends on DNS).

2, Most DNS services provide local servers, Google included, you can check here IP/DNS Detect

A few more to choose from: Top 10 Best Public DNS Servers & Fastest DNS Servers 2017

z3r010 · 01 Feb 2017

I always use google dns, I find when I update a site IP that google is the fastest to see the change and not provide stale DNS.

jimbo45 · 01 Feb 2017

Hi there

Thanks Guys

(And my Netflix connection is still OK)

Cheers
jimbo

TairikuOkami · 01 Feb 2017

z3r010 said:

I always use google dns, I find when I update a site IP that google are the fastest to see the change and not provide stale DNS.

Google is definitely the best in quality and speed, but there are other things to consider: location, privacy, filtering.
I am using DNS.watch (DNSSEC) for Windows/router and OpenDNS for my browser via an inbuilt dsncrypt.
I am testing adguard dns to block trackers/porn, but I do not like, that it blocks ADs, it is too agresive.

swarfega · 01 Feb 2017

Does it matter if you reside in the UK and use an American DNS server, would it add significant delay or cause confusion as to where you reside?

jimbo45 · 01 Feb 2017

Hi there

Depends on the ISP I suppose -- Google public DNS's seem to work just fine wherever you seem to be.

In the UK so many sites are blocked that it should be easy to test --I think UK actually blocks more sites than CHINA !!! some even by accident due to really aggressive policy.

However the site blocking is a 100% waste of time since the measures intended to block "Pirates" are only any good against Casual users of sites like the "Ship flying the Jolly Roger flag" etc - any serious "torrenter" I've ever met has found work arounds within about 90 secs !!!! whatever the UK Courts rabbit on about.

Probably true in other countries where "Blocking" is done too.

Isl is reasonably free with this type of stuff -- the govt here regards that as a matter between the Users of those sites and the copyright owners -- which is as it should be and not the ISP's -- If a driver kills someone on the road you can't hold the Road builder or the car manufacturer responsible - assuming Road and Car had no defects.

Cheers
jimbo

swarfega · 01 Feb 2017

The thing is though, I now have a data entry job which I have to view websites from all sorts of countries in Europe, I'm now a bit hesitant using DNS in that regard.

clam1952 · 01 Feb 2017

If you want to play with DNS servers, try a small free program called DnsJumper, if nothing else it proved how slow my ISP's server is! 400ms compared to 60ms for Google. Dns Jumper for the blurb on it.
It tests all the free DNS servers response time, mostly Europe and USA and you can change on the fly to whatever the fastest one is, having said that I normally stick to Google. Of course it only checks the response time, not any other "features" such as blocking.

bro67 · 01 Feb 2017

I have been using Google's for a long time on my own Edge Router behind the U-Verse Gateway. I get anywhere from 44 to 51 mbps Down. 5.2 to 6.1 for up. Ping is usually around 37.