Surfshark launches DNS servers

Ever wished for more speed and security? Then we’ve got great news — Surfshark is launching our own DNS servers. Ready to see what benefits that brings for you? Let’s get into it!

What is a DNS server?

DNS servers act like the internet’s phone book — they convert easy-to-remember domain names like www.surfshark.com into numerical IP addresses, which computers use to locate each other on the internet. When you enter a web address in your browser, your device sends a request to a DNS server to find the matching IP address. If that server doesn’t have the answer, it quickly reaches out to a chain of other DNS servers to track it down. 

What are the benefits of using Surfshark’s DNS servers?

More privacy

Regular DNS servers are typically run by your internet provider and may log or track your activity. Unlike these regular servers that may log or track your activity, our DNS servers do not store, sell, or share your data. This means that using Surfshark’s DNS servers adds an extra layer of anonymity to your everyday browsing. They’re also free to use, and there are no integrated ads or trackers. 

With our DNS servers, you also have the option to hide your DNS requests, which are normally sent in plain text and can be seen by anyone on the same network, including your ISP. Hiding your DNS requests helps keep your online habits more secure and reduces the risk of your information being used for advertising or other unwanted purposes.

Faster connections

Using DNS servers can also noticeably improve internet speed by responding quickly to your requests and helping your device connect to websites faster. Many public DNS servers can suggest the most efficient route to a site. For example, a domain like surfshark.com has numerous IP addresses around the world. Surfshark’s DNS server can direct you to the one that’s physically or network-wise closest to you. This means less delay and a smoother browsing experience overall.

How to use DNS servers

To use Surfshark’s DNS servers, you need to configure your device or router to point to the DNS server addresses you want to use. If you already know how to do it, you can configure your devices to use these IP addresses:

• IPv4
  194.169.169.169
• IPv6
  2a09:a707:169::
• DoH
  https://dns.surfsharkdns.com/dns-query

 To learn how to do it on different operating systems, visit our DNS server page.