What the hell is that?
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blackbird71 last edited byDNS = Domain Name System
DNS translates domain names (like *.opera.com or *.google.com) to the numerical IP addresses (like 64.233.160.0 - one of Google's addresses) that are actually used to address data packets over the Internet.
There exist Internet domain name servers that store the official records for which IP numerical address is associated with which domain name. These servers can be updated quickly when the records need to be changed by a legitimate domain holder (as they often are), but the servers can also be hacked or "poisoned", either directly or via corrupting the update process to cause a false IP number to be assigned to a legitimate domain name. That causes a query for that domain name to be routed to some other server IP associated with the hacker's malicious intentions.
Your computer also has a DNS storage section (its DNS cache) which maintains local correlation of a domain name and an IP number for recent or often-used domains. If the sought-after domain name is not in that cache, the computer will go out to a pre-defined DNS server to perform the search for the IP number. Some malware can attack the local DNS cache.
ISPs often maintain their own DNS servers for their clients, but a user can specify other DNS servers for his computer to use instead (OpenDNS, Google Public DNS, OpenNIC, etc). The DNS setting for Windows is accessed via the Control Panel's Network/Sharing Center; you will need the numerical IP addresses of the desired DNS service you wish to specify for the computer to use. If you do decide to change the current DNS server, be sure to write down all the existing IP numbers for the Network/Sharing DNS settings section and where they belong so that you can get back to them if you need to. A good outline of what is involved in setting a new DNS server can be found at:
http://www.howtogeek.com/167533/the-ultimate-guide-to-changing-your-dns-server/Some specific DNS sites that contain their own customized set-up instructions (and their IP numbers) are:
- OpenDNS http://www.opendns.com/home-internet-security/premium-dns/
- GoogleDNS https://developers.google.com/speed/public-dns/docs/using
- OpenNIC http://www.opennicproject.org/configure-your-dns/how-to-change-dns-servers-in-windows-7/
If you're not comfortable manipulating internal computer/OS settings, this is not necessarily something you may wish to attempt, though it is fairly straight forward if you're used to tweaking a computer.
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blackbird71 last edited by
Probably OpenDNS, though GoogleDNS is OK if you aren't uncomfortable with running all your DNS look-ups through Google's backyard.
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mgmgdgtd last edited by
http://public-dns.tk/ whatever works, better take it locally in case that your provider reset the peer.
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