Public recursive name server

A public recursive name server (also called public DNS resolver) is a <a href="/facts/Name_server/pUgmBMNW">name server</a> service that networked computers may use to query the <a href="/facts/Domain_Name_System/rfxdWFsj">Domain Name System</a> (DNS), the decentralized Internet naming system, in place of (or in addition to) name servers operated by the local <a href="/facts/Internet_service_provider/dUacAxef">Internet service provider</a> (ISP) to which the devices are connected. Reasons for using these services include:

<ul><li>speed, compared to using ISP DNS services</li>
<li>filtering (security, <a href="/facts/Ad_blocking/WfmBIxuP">ad-blocking</a>, <a href="/facts/Internet_filter/bHoW65eY">porn-blocking</a>, etc.)</li>
<li>reporting</li>
<li>avoiding <a href="/facts/Internet_censorship/938thaNE">censorship</a></li>
<li>redundancy (smart caching)</li>
<li>access to unofficial <a href="/facts/Alternative_top_level_domain/s7L2Dh1c">alternative top level domains</a> not found in the official <a href="/facts/DNS_root_zone/pVhV8cWh">DNS root zone</a></li>
<li>temporary unavailability of the ISP's name server</li></ul>
Public DNS resolver operators often cite increased privacy as an advantage of their services; critics of public DNS services have cited the possibility of mass data collection targeted at the public resolvers as a potential risk of using these services. Most services now support secure DNS lookup transport services such as <a href="/facts/DNS_over_TLS/4LqIexsq">DNS over TLS</a> (DoT), <a href="/facts/DNS_over_HTTPS/lLQMrGIk">DNS over HTTPS</a> (DoH) and <a href="/facts/DNS_over_QUIC/rfxdWFsj">DNS over QUIC</a> (DoQ).
Public DNS resolvers are operated either by commercial companies, offering their service for free use to the public, or by private enthusiasts to help spread new technologies and support non-profit communities.

Public recursive name server open-in-new

Public recursive name server