Online privacy and security are more important today than ever. Every time you visit a website, your device sends a DNS (Domain Name System) query to translate the web address into an IP address. However, traditional DNS queries are sent in plaintext, making them vulnerable to interception by hackers, ISPs, or even governments. Two key protocols have emerged to address this security risk: DNS over TLS or DoT and DNS over HTTPS or DoH. Both encrypt DNS traffic, keeping your browsing activities private and secure. However, while they serve a similar purpose, they function differently and have their advantages and drawbacks. In this blog, we’ll explore how DoT and DoH work, their key differences, and which one is better suited for your needs. But first, let’s understand what DNS is.
What is DNS?
The Domain Name System (DNS) is like the phonebook of the internet. When you type a website address (like www.bigrock.in) into your browser, your computer doesn’t actually understand it in that form. Instead, it needs an IP address (a series of numbers like 192.168.1.1) to find and load the website. DNS acts as a translator, converting human-friendly domain names into machine-readable IP addresses so that your browser can connect to the correct website.
Every device connected to the internet has a unique IP address, and without DNS, we would have to memorize these long, complex numbers for every website we visit. Instead, DNS servers handle this conversion automatically, making accessing websites quick and easy without worrying about their IP addresses.
However, traditional DNS requests are not secure because they are sent in plaintext, meaning hackers or other third parties can intercept and monitor your online activity. This is why encryption technologies like DNS over TLS (DoT) and DNS over HTTPS (DoH) have been introduced—to keep DNS queries private and protect your browsing activity from prying eyes.
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What is DNS over TLS (DoT)?
DNS over TLS (DoT) is a security protocol designed to encrypt DNS requests, ensuring privacy and data integrity when web browsers communicate with DNS resolvers. It is an enhancement of Transport Layer Security (TLS), commonly known as SSL, and is specifically built to prevent third parties from intercepting DNS queries that are traditionally sent in plaintext.
DoT works by tunneling DNS requests through an encrypted TLS connection, securing the data before it is transmitted over the internet. This encryption ensures that only the intended recipient can access the DNS query and response, preventing unauthorized access from hackers, ISPs, or surveillance entities. By adding a protective layer to User Datagram Protocol (UDP), which is commonly used for DNS queries, DoT enhances security without significantly affecting performance.
One of the key advantages of DoT is its ability to protect users on shared networks, such as public Wi-Fi, where cyber threats are more common. By encrypting DNS traffic, DoT helps safeguard sensitive browsing data, reducing the risk of DNS hijacking, tracking, and other cyber threats.
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What is DNS over HTTPS (DoH)?
DNS over HTTPS (DoH) is a security protocol that encrypts DNS queries and responses to enhance privacy and security when browsing the internet. Unlike DNS over TLS (DoT), which uses a dedicated connection, DoH transmits DNS requests over HTTPS (HTTP or HTTP/2), making them blend in with regular web traffic. This approach makes it harder for network administrators or malicious actors to identify, intercept, or manipulate DNS queries.
One of the key advantages of DoH is its ability to mask DNS traffic, preventing ISPs and third parties from tracking users’ online activities.
By encrypting not just the request but also the entire DNS response, including the final IP address, DoH ensures that sensitive data remains private and secure. This added layer of encryption helps protect against cyber threats like DNS hijacking or spoofing, making it a powerful tool for users looking to safeguard their internet activity.
DNS over TLS (DoT) vs. DNS over HTTPS (DoH): Key Differences
DNS over TLS (DoT) and DNS over HTTPS (DoH) are encryption protocols designed to secure DNS queries and protect user privacy. They prevent third parties, such as hackers, ISPs, and surveillance entities, from intercepting DNS requests, ensuring safer internet browsing. However, they differ in how they establish connections and handle encryption.
1. Connection and Port Differences
- DNS over TLS(DoT) establishes a secure connection using TLS encryption over TCP and operates on a dedicated port (TCP Port 853).
- DNS over HTTPS(DoH) sends DNS queries over HTTPS (using HTTP or HTTP/2) and uses the standard HTTPS port (TCP Port 443), making it blend in with regular web traffic.
2. Encryption Complexity
- DoT encrypts DNS queries by adding a TLS security layer over UDP, offering a dedicated but simpler encryption process.
DoH encrypts the entire DNS request and response, including the final IP address, making it more secure and difficult for third parties to track or alter the data.
3. Adoption and Usage
- DoT is widely used in environments where network-level DNS encryption is preferred, such as on dedicated DNS resolvers.
- DoH is increasingly adopted by browsers and applications, making it more accessible for everyday users without requiring changes to network settings.
Which One is Better?
The choice between DoT and DoH depends on privacy needs and use cases. DoT is ideal for network administrators who want dedicated DNS encryption at the system level, while DoH is preferred for individual users seeking better privacy within web browsers. As DoH continues to gain support from browsers and websites, it is becoming the go-to option for securing DNS traffic on the internet.
Challenges in Implementing DoT and DoH
While DNS over TLS (DoT) and DNS over HTTPS (DoH) offer enhanced security and privacy, their adoption comes with certain challenges. Here are some of the key hurdles organizations and users may face:
1. Compatibility Issues
Not all devices, operating systems, or applications fully support DoT or DoH, especially older systems. This can create compatibility problems, requiring updates or additional configurations to ensure smooth operation.
2. Complex Setup and Configuration
Implementing DoT or DoH is not always straightforward, particularly in environments with existing security policies and firewalls. Setting up encrypted DNS while maintaining network security, monitoring, and filtering requires careful planning and technical expertise.
3. Challenges with Mixed Content
Some websites operate over HTTPS but still send DNS requests unencrypted. When DoT or DoH is enforced, these mixed requests may fail or cause errors, leading to inconsistent browsing experiences and potential disruptions in service.
Despite these challenges, the growing adoption of secure DNS protocols is pushing organizations to find solutions that balance privacy, security, and functionality while ensuring smooth internet access.
How to Set Up DoT and DoH on Different Devices
Enhancing your online privacy and security with DNS over TLS (DoT) or DNS over HTTPS (DoH) is easier than ever, thanks to built-in support in many modern operating systems. Below is a simple guide to setting up encrypted DNS on different platforms:
1. Windows
- Open Network Settings and enter a DNS server that supports DoT or DoH.
- If your system does not support it natively, you can use third-party applications to enable encrypted DNS.
- Many modern browsers, such as Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox, allow you to enable DoH directly in their settings.
2. macOS
- Go to Network Preferences and configure your DNS settings to use encrypted DNS servers.
- Certain apps are available to automate the process, making it easier to enable DoT or DoH without manual configuration.
3. Linux
- Depending on the Linux distribution, you may need to modify the resolv.conf file or configure systemd-resolved to support encrypted DNS.
- Some distributions offer built-in tools for managing DNS encryption with minimal setup.
4. Android
- Newer versions of Android have a Private DNS option under Network Settings, where you can enter a DNS provider that supports DoT.
- This enables DoT by default, ensuring your DNS queries remain private.
5. iOS
- While iOS does not allow direct changes to DNS settings for cellular networks, you can configure DoT or DoH by using a DNS profile or a third-party app.
- Certain VPN apps also offer encrypted DNS as an additional feature
The Importance of DNS Encryption in IoT Security
The Internet of Things (IoT) depends heavily on DNS for device communication, making it a potential target for cyber threats like DNS spoofing and man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacks. Since many IoT devices lack advanced security features, encrypting DNS traffic through protocols like DNS over TLS (DoT) and DNS over HTTPS (DoH) is essential for protecting them.
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How DNS Encryption Enhances IoT Security
Prevents DNS Spoofing – Encryption ensures that IoT devices only connect to trusted servers, reducing the risk of being redirected to malicious websites or fake networks.
Defends Against MitM Attacks – By encrypting DNS queries, attackers cannot intercept or manipulate IoT communication, keeping data exchanges secure.
Enhances Privacy – DNS encryption hides sensitive IoT data from being tracked or monitored by third parties, protecting user information.
Secures Public Networks – IoT devices operating on shared or public Wi-Fi are especially vulnerable. Encrypted DNS traffic shields them from unauthorized access and cyber threats.
DoT vs. DoH vs. VPN: What’s the Difference?
Both DNS over TLS (DoT) and DNS over HTTPS (DoH) are security protocols designed to encrypt DNS queries, ensuring that domain name lookups remain private. They help protect users from eavesdropping, tracking, and DNS manipulation, but their encryption is limited to DNS traffic only.
A Virtual Private Network (VPN), on the other hand, encrypts all internet traffic, not just DNS requests. When connected to a VPN, all data—whether from web browsing, streaming, or app usage—travels through an encrypted tunnel to a remote server, masking the user’s IP address and securing online activity from hackers, ISPs, and surveillance.
Key Differences:
- DoT and DoH: Encrypt only DNS queries, preventing DNS tracking and hijacking.
- VPN: Encrypts all internet traffic, ensuring complete online privacy and security.
While DoT and DoH improve DNS security, they do not hide your IP address or encrypt other internet traffic like a VPN does. If the goal is comprehensive online anonymity and protection, a VPN is the better choice. However, DoT and DoH are useful solutions for securing DNS lookups without changing browsing speeds or routing all traffic through a VPN server.
Conclusion
As online privacy becomes more important and users seek faster, more secure browsing, DNS over TLS (DoT) and DNS over HTTPS (DoH) offer a simple yet effective way to protect DNS traffic. By encrypting DNS queries, these protocols help prevent tracking, cyber threats, and data interception, making the internet a safer place. Taking steps to enable DoT or DoH can enhance both security and browsing performance, giving users more control over their online privacy. Now is the perfect time to make the switch and experience a more secure and private internet.
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