Introduction
Domain Name System (DNS) translates human-readable domain names to machine-readable IP addresses. When you enter a domain name (for example, www.netnut.io) into the address bar of the web browser, it converts it into machine-readable format (for example, 192.11.101.2). As simple as this task sounds, it involves several steps called the DNS resolution process. Subsequently, this process is crucial as you do not need to remember the IP address of the websites you wish to visit.
Whatever query you send on the Internet is visible to your Internet Service Provider. However, if you want to achieve anonymity and privacy, you need to use a proxy. Therefore, this guide will examine a DNS proxy, its benefits,
DNS Operation
The DNS service is based on a network of servers that keep a record of DNS domain names and IP addresses. When you enter a domain name into a browser, your device sends a request (a DNS query) to one or more DNS servers. Subsequently, it returns the correct IP address, which allows your device to connect to the target website.
Focusing all the DNS information on one server would eventually cause congestion. Therefore, DNS information is located in a highly distributed network of thousands of servers located across the world. Subsequently, authoritative servers hold the official records regarding DNS domains and IP addresses. On the other hand, recursive servers forward DNS requests to various other servers to solve the request in a more efficient manner. These servers also cache the results of previous DNS searches, which allow them to provide quicker responses.
What is a DNS proxy?
A DNS proxy is a forwarding proxy that individuals or organizations can use to manage DNS queries. In other words, it allows you to forward DNS requests and replies between a DNS server and a DNS client.
The DNS server is a server that turns domain names into IP addresses and connects websites with browsers. On the other hand, a DNS client is a machine that sends queries to the DNS server. Most times, only one DNS server is involved in a request, but there could be more than one DNS client. Subsequently, the IP address of the DNS proxy is the destination of the requests sent between a DNS client and server.
In addition, DNS proxies play a crucial role in optimizing the performance of the domain lookup since they cache previous lookups for faster query resolution in the future. As a result, big organizations can use DNS queries for easy management of their network.
Benefits of a DNS Proxy
A DNS proxy offers several benefits to businesses and individuals. They include:
Speed of DNS resolution
One of the benefits of using a DNS proxy is that it offers faster DNS resolution. The DNS proxy has a cache that stores domains visited in the past. Subsequently, when you want to visit the same domain later, the server accesses the cached version and returns the response faster.
Optimized security and privacy
Another significant benefit of using DNS proxies is optimized security. These proxies provide an additional layer of security that can protect your network from cyber-attacks, including DNS spoofing, filtering out unwanted content, blocking access to malicious domains, and domain hijacking.
In addition, using a DNS proxy allows users to hide their DNS queries from their Internet service providers (ISP) as well as other third parties that may be watching your network traffic. Subsequently, this optimizes your security and privacy as you navigate the online space.
Reduced latency
A significant advantage of a DNS proxy is that it can minimize network latency. This is possible because these proxies can enable name resolution from a DNS cache.
Management
Using a DNS proxy allows for easy management of the DNS settings. In other words, it allows IT teams to modify settings on a proxy server instead of on each individual DNS client.
Choosing the Best DNS proxy- NetNut
Choosing the best DNS proxy involves considering features that are significant to your use case. Some of these factors include:
- Speed and reliability of connection.
- Security and privacy of data.
- Ease of use, especially for individuals with little to no technical expertise.
- Customization features, which can determine the level of flexibility.
Although there are several free options, choosing a premium proxy like NetNut ensures optimal security and privacy for all your online activities. NetNut has a large pool ofresidential IPs that offers unlimited concurrency for infinite scalability. Moreover, you can leverage the power of 1 million+mobile IPs, amplifying your web coverage exponentially.
NetNut provides you with different proxy solutions ranging from ISP proxies to static residential proxies, toUS residential proxies. Static residential proxies allow you to maintain one IP address for a certain session.ISP proxies, on the other hand, come in handy to bypass CAPTCHA and geo-restrictions.
NetNut proxies are the ideal solution for fast connection and low latency. In addition, we guarantee 99% uptime for uninterrupted scraping activities. Another unique feature of NetNut is it offers excellent customer support services. You can get 24/7 support via email or live chat on the website.
Conclusion
This article has examined how a DNS proxy works, its benefits, and how to choose the best proxy. A DNS proxy is crucial because it can mask a user’s actual IP address, which is necessary to encrypt the traffic. Therefore, this makes your network traffic more resilient to tracking, data theft, and other forms of cyber attacks.
A unique feature of DNS proxies is caching, which ensures that the query response time is significantly reduced. Subsequently, this helps to avoid latency, which makes the network more secure and prevents attacks.
The most common applications of DNS proxies are optimizing network performance through caching, content filtering in institutions, and bypassing geographic restrictions.
Choosing a premium proxy is key to ensuring data privacy and security. NetNet offers various proxy solutions that cater to your professional and personal use. Feel free to contact us to speak to an expert.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a DNS work?
When you enter a domain name into your browser, your computer sends a DNS query to a DNS server to get a corresponding IP address. Then, the DNS server looks up the IP address related to the domain name. Subsequently, it returns the IP address to your computer. Finally, your computer uses this IP address to connect to the website server.
What is the difference between a DNS proxy and a DNS firewall?
A DNS proxy transfers DNS requests and replies as well as caching previous results to minimize latency.
On the other hand, a DNS firewall filters DNS requests. Therefore, it blocks users who are deemed suspicious from accessing specific websites. As a result, DNS firewalls are a crucial aspect of protection against cyber-attacks like page hijacking, ransomware, and malware. In addition, the DNS firewall can cache previous results, which optimizes response times. However, users can combine DNS firewall and proxy features for optimized solutions.
What are the types of DNS services?
- Authoritative DNS: This works by providing an update mechanism that allows developers to manage their public DNS names. Subsequently, it translates the DNS queries to IP addresses.
- Recursive DNS: Usually, clients do not send queries directly to authoritative DNS services. However, they connect to another type of DNS- a recursive or resolver DNS, which acts as an intermediary that can get the DNS information for you.
