Secure your internet connection with DNS over TLS on Windows 11 (2024)

The rise of cyber threats and data breaches has made it more important than ever for businesses to take steps to protect their sensitive information. One often-overlooked area of vulnerability is the Domain Name System (DNS), which is used to translate human-readable domain names into IP addresses. By implementing DNS over TLS (DoT) in Windows 11 using secure DNS servers from Cloudflare, Quad9, and other reputable providers, businesses can significantly enhance their security posture and reduce the risk of DNS-based attacks.

DNS over TLS is a security protocol that encrypts DNS queries and responses, preventing eavesdropping and manipulation by third parties. When a user types a URL into their web browser, the request is sent to a DNS server, which then returns the IP address associated with the domain name. In the absence of encryption, this exchange can be intercepted and modified by cybercriminals, allowing them to redirect users to malicious websites or steal sensitive data.

By enabling DoT in Windows 11, businesses can ensure that all DNS queries and responses are encrypted, making it much harder for attackers to intercept or manipulate them. This helps to protect against a wide range of DNS-based attacks, including cache poisoning, man-in-the-middle attacks, and DNS spoofing.

Furthermore, by using secure DNS servers from reputable providers such as Cloudflare and Quad9, businesses can benefit from additional security features such as malware blocking and phishing protection. These DNS servers maintain extensive lists of known malicious domains and use advanced algorithms to detect and block suspicious activity, providing an additional layer of defence against cyber threats.

Implementing DoT in Windows 11 and using secure DNS servers can also improve the performance and reliability of DNS lookups. Encrypted DNS queries and responses are often faster and more reliable than unencrypted ones since they are less susceptible to network congestion and other issues that can affect unencrypted traffic.

Steps to implement encrypted secure DNS of TLS on Windows 11:

1. Open the Start menu and click on "Settings".
2. Click on "Network & internet".
3. Click on "Properties" under your connected network.
4. Scroll down to the "IP settings" section and click on "Edit".
5. Toggle on the "Use encrypted DNS" option.
6. In the "DNS over TLS provider" dropdown menu, select a provider of your choice.
7. Click on "Save" to apply the changes.

Once you have completed these steps, your Windows 11 device will be configured to use encrypted secure DNS of TLS. This will help protect your online privacy and prevent your DNS queries from being intercepted and manipulated by malicious actors.

Overall, enabling DNS over TLS in Windows 11 and using secure DNS servers from reputable providers is a simple but effective way for businesses to enhance their security posture and protect against a wide range of cyber threats. By taking these steps, businesses can reduce the risk of data breaches and other security incidents, safeguard their sensitive information, and provide a safer and more secure online experience for their employees and customers.

Have a wonderful Monday!

The Effectualness Team

South Africa