
What is Encrypted DNS?
Imagine you’re sending a letter to your friend, but instead of putting their address on the envelope, you write down their name. Someone at the post office would have to look up their address to deliver the letter. On the internet, your web browser works kind of the same way when you visit websites.
When you type a web address like “www.example.com” into your browser, your computer doesn’t understand it right away. It needs to look up the website’s numerical address (called an IP address) to connect you to the right place. This is where DNS (Domain Name System) comes in—it’s like the internet’s address book.
But here’s the problem: It scrambles the information so that only you and the DNS server can understand it.
How Does Encrypted DNS Work?
Encrypted DNS uses a type of technology called encryption to secure the connection between your device and the DNS server. There are two main methods for this:
DNS over HTTPS (DoH): This method works by sending DNS requests over an HTTPS connection, the same type of secure connection used when you’re shopping online or logging into a bank account.
DNS over TLS (DoT): This method uses a different type of secure connection called Transport Layer Security (TLS) to encrypt the requests.
In both cases, encryption means that anyone who’s snooping on the connection—like hackers, internet service providers (ISPs), or even someone on the same Wi-Fi network—won’t be able to see what websites you’re trying to visit. All they’ll see is scrambled data that’s meaningless to them.
Why Would a Business Want to Use Encrypted DNS?
For businesses, encrypted DNS isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s becoming a must-have. Here’s why:
Protecting Sensitive Information: Businesses often handle confidential data, like customer information, employee records, and financial transactions. Without encrypted DNS, someone could intercept DNS traffic and figure out which websites your company is visiting. This could expose sensitive activities, like connections to financial institutions or internal servers.
Preventing Cyberattacks: Hackers often use a trick called DNS spoofing to redirect traffic to fake websites that look real. For example, they might create a fake login page to steal passwords. Encrypted DNS makes it much harder for hackers to pull off these attacks.
Boosting Employee Privacy: Let’s say your employees are working remotely from coffee shops, airports, or other places with public Wi-Fi. These networks are often targets for cybercriminals. Encrypted DNS ensures that even on public Wi-Fi, your employees’ internet activity is safe from prying eyes.
Complying with Regulations: Many industries, like healthcare and finance, have strict rules about protecting customer data. Using encrypted DNS helps businesses stay compliant with these regulations and avoid hefty fines.
Why Should You Care?
Even if you’re not a business owner, encrypted DNS can protect your own privacy. It stops your internet provider from collecting data on the websites you visit (and maybe selling that data). It also helps you avoid fake websites designed to steal your information.
Businesses have even more to lose if their DNS traffic isn’t protected. By using encrypted DNS, they can keep their operations secure, protect their customers, and avoid costly breaches.
Final Thoughts
Encrypted DNS is like putting a lock on your front door—it’s a simple step that can make a huge difference in keeping your data safe. For businesses, it’s an essential tool to protect their operations and customers in an increasingly digital world. And for individuals, it’s an easy way to take back some control over your online privacy.
So next time someone asks what encrypted DNS is, you can tell them it’s the internet’s version of a secret code, keeping your online travels safe and sound.
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