How to Use Quad 9 DNS for Faster Internet Speeds

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Supercharge Your Internet: How to Use Quad9 DNS for Faster and Safer Browsing

Tired of slow loading times and concerned about online privacy? Switching to Quad9, a free and publicly available Domain Name System (DNS) resolver, might be the solution you’re looking for. Quad9 promises not only faster internet speeds but also enhanced security by blocking known malicious domains. This article will walk you through what Quad9 is, how it works, and, most importantly, how to easily configure it on your devices.

What is DNS and Why Does it Matter?

Think of DNS as the internet’s phone book. When you type a website address like “google.com” into your browser, your computer doesn’t understand that. It needs the website’s numerical IP address (like 172.217.160.142) to connect. The DNS server’s job is to translate that human-readable domain name (“google.com”) into the machine-readable IP address.

The speed and reliability of your DNS server significantly impact your browsing experience. A slow DNS server means a longer wait before your browser even starts loading the website. Many internet service providers (ISPs) provide their own DNS servers, but these are often not optimized for speed or security.

Enter Quad9: Speed, Security, and Privacy

Quad9 (often represented by its primary DNS address: 9.9.9.9) is a free, recursive DNS service launched in 2017 by the Global Cyber Alliance, IBM, and Packet Clearing House. It offers several key advantages:

  • Speed: Quad9 uses a global network of servers strategically located around the world. This “anycast” network ensures your requests are routed to the closest and fastest server, reducing latency and improving browsing speed.
  • Security: This is Quad9’s biggest selling point. It maintains a real-time threat intelligence feed from multiple sources (including IBM X-Force). When you request a website, Quad9 checks if that domain is on its blacklist of known malicious sites (hosting malware, phishing scams, botnets, etc.). If it is, Quad9 blocks the connection, preventing your device from accessing the harmful site. This proactive blocking significantly reduces your risk of infection.
  • Privacy: Quad9 is committed to user privacy. They don’t log your IP address in association with the domains you query. While they do collect some anonymized data for operational purposes (like identifying new threats), they adhere to strict privacy policies and do not sell your data. They also support DNS-over-TLS (DoT) and DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH) which encrypt your DNS queries, preventing eavesdropping by your ISP or anyone on your network.

How to Configure Quad9 on Your Devices

The process of setting up Quad9 is generally straightforward and similar across different operating systems. We’ll cover the most common scenarios:

1. Windows 10/11:

  • Open Network Connections: Right-click the network icon in your system tray (bottom right corner) and select “Open Network & Internet settings.” Alternatively, search for “Network Status” in the Start Menu.
  • Change Adapter Options: In the Network Status window, click on “Change adapter options” (under “Advanced network settings”).
  • Modify Network Properties: Right-click on your active network connection (usually “Wi-Fi” or “Ethernet”) and select “Properties.”
  • Configure Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4):
    • Double-click on “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).”
    • Select “Use the following DNS server addresses.”
    • Enter the following:
      • Preferred DNS server: 9.9.9.9
      • Alternate DNS server: 149.112.112.112 (This is Quad9’s secondary server)
    • Click “OK” on all open windows.
  • (Optional) Configure Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6): Repeat the steps above for “Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6),” but use these addresses:
    • Preferred DNS server: 2620:fe::fe
    • Alternate DNS server: 2620:fe::9
  • Flush DNS Cache: Open Command Prompt (search for “cmd” in the Start Menu) and run it as administrator (right-click, “Run as administrator”). Type ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter. This clears your computer’s old DNS records.

2. macOS:

  • Open System Preferences: Click the Apple menu and select “System Preferences” (or “System Settings” on newer macOS versions).
  • Network: Click on “Network.”
  • Select Your Connection: Choose your active network connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) from the left sidebar.
  • Advanced: Click the “Advanced” button.
  • DNS Tab: Select the “DNS” tab.
  • Add DNS Servers: Click the “+” button under “DNS Servers.”
    • Enter 9.9.9.9 and press Enter.
    • Enter 149.112.112.112 and press Enter.
    • (Optional) For IPv6, add 2620:fe::fe and 2620:fe::9.
  • Remove Existing Servers (Optional): If you have other DNS servers listed, you might want to remove them (select them and click the “-” button) to ensure you’re only using Quad9. However, leaving them as a fallback isn’t usually a problem.
  • OK & Apply: Click “OK” and then “Apply.”
  • Flush DNS Cache: Open Terminal (Applications > Utilities > Terminal) and type sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder and press Enter. You’ll be prompted for your administrator password.

3. Android:

  • Private DNS Setting (Android 9 Pie and later):
    • Open Settings.
    • Tap on Network & internet (or Connections).
    • Tap on Advanced (you may need to scroll down).
    • Tap on Private DNS.
    • Select Private DNS provider hostname.
    • Enter dns.quad9.net
    • Tap Save.
  • For older Android versions (or if the above doesn’t work): You’ll need to manually configure the DNS settings for each Wi-Fi network you connect to.
    • Open Settings.
    • Tap on Wi-Fi.
    • Long-press on your connected Wi-Fi network.
    • Select Modify network or Manage network settings (the wording may vary).
    • You may need to check an “Advanced options” box.
    • Change “IP settings” from “DHCP” to “Static.”
    • Scroll down to the DNS fields.
    • Enter 9.9.9.9 in DNS 1 and 149.112.112.112 in DNS 2.
    • Save your changes. You’ll need to repeat this for every Wi-Fi network.

4. iOS (iPhone/iPad):

iOS, unfortunately, doesn’t have a global DNS setting like Android’s “Private DNS.” You must configure it per Wi-Fi network, and there’s no easy way to set it for cellular data.

  • Open Settings.
  • Tap on Wi-Fi.
  • Tap the blue “i” (information) icon next to your connected Wi-Fi network.
  • Scroll down and tap Configure DNS.
  • Select Manual.
  • Tap the red minus sign to remove any existing DNS servers.
  • Tap Add Server and enter 9.9.9.9.
  • Tap Add Server again and enter 149.112.112.112.
  • (Optional) For IPv6, add 2620:fe::fe and 2620:fe::9.
  • Tap Save.
  • You’ll need to repeat this for every Wi-Fi network you connect to.

5. Router (Recommended for Whole-Home Coverage):

The best approach, especially if you have many devices, is to configure Quad9 directly on your router. This ensures all devices connected to your home network (including smart TVs, game consoles, etc.) benefit from Quad9’s speed and security without needing individual configuration.

  • Access Router Settings: The method varies depending on your router brand and model. Usually, you’ll need to enter your router’s IP address into your web browser. Common addresses include 192.168.1.1, 192.168.0.1, or 10.0.0.1. Check your router’s documentation or search online for “[your router brand] router login.” You’ll likely need a username and password (often found on a sticker on the router itself).
  • Find DNS Settings: The location of the DNS settings varies greatly. Look for sections labeled “Internet,” “WAN,” “Network,” or “Basic Setup.” You’re looking for fields labeled “DNS Server,” “Primary DNS,” and “Secondary DNS.”
  • Enter Quad9 Addresses:
    • Primary DNS: 9.9.9.9
    • Secondary DNS: 149.112.112.112
    • (Optional – if your router supports IPv6 DNS):
      • Primary DNS (IPv6): 2620:fe::fe
      • Secondary DNS (IPv6): 2620:fe::9
  • Save Changes: Be sure to save your changes (usually a button labeled “Apply,” “Save,” or “Save Settings”). Your router will likely reboot.

Testing Your Quad9 Setup

After configuring Quad9, it’s a good idea to verify that it’s working correctly. Here are a few ways:

  • Quad9’s Test Page: Visit https://on.quad9.net/ in your browser. It will tell you if you’re using Quad9 and if the security features are active.
  • DNS Leak Test: Visit a website like https://www.dnsleaktest.com/. Run a standard test. The results should show Quad9 servers (and not your ISP’s servers). This confirms that your DNS requests are going through Quad9.
  • General Browsing: You might notice a slight improvement in website loading times. This is subjective, but a good sign.

Troubleshooting

  • No Internet Connection: If you lose internet access after changing your DNS settings, double-check that you entered the addresses correctly. You can always revert to your previous settings (or set your DNS to “Obtain DNS server address automatically” in Windows or “Automatic” in macOS) to restore connectivity.
  • Website Blocked Incorrectly: While rare, Quad9 might occasionally block a legitimate website. If this happens, you can report it to Quad9 through their website. As a temporary workaround, you could switch back to your ISP’s DNS or another public DNS server (like Google Public DNS – 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) just for that specific website.

Conclusion

Switching to Quad9 DNS is a simple yet powerful way to improve your internet browsing experience. It offers a combination of speed, security, and privacy that’s hard to beat, especially considering it’s a free service. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily configure Quad9 on your devices and enjoy a faster, safer, and more private online experience. The router-level configuration is highly recommended for the most comprehensive protection.

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