Do you know how your internet provider might be tracking your every click?

What is Surveillance Capitalism?

Surveillance capitalism is an economic system where companies collect, analyze, and monetize personal data obtained from users’ online activities. This data is used to predict and influence consumer behavior, often without the user's full understanding or consent. Big tech companies employ this model to offer free services (like search engines or social media) in exchange for user data, which they sell to advertisers or use to improve targeted advertising.

Key Features of Surveillance Capitalism:

1. Data Exploitation: Every click, search, and interaction is tracked to build detailed profiles.

2. Behavior Prediction: Companies use data to predict and influence user behavior for profit.

3. Privacy Concerns: Users often have little control over how their data is used.

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What is a DNS Resolver?

A DNS resolver is a service that translates human-readable domain names (e.g., www.example.com) into machine-readable IP addresses (e.g., 192.168.1.1) so computers can communicate and load the requested website or service.

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Why Should Anyone Use a Privacy-Focused DNS Resolver?

1. Prevent Tracking: Many DNS resolvers log user queries, which can reveal browsing habits. Privacy-focused resolvers avoid or minimize this tracking.

2. Enhanced Security: They block access to known malicious websites and phishing domains.

3. Censorship Bypass: Some ISPs or governments block access to specific websites. A private DNS resolver can help bypass these restrictions.

4. Ad and Tracker Blocking: Many privacy DNS resolvers block ads and trackers at the DNS level, reducing invasive data collection.

5. Faster Browsing: High-quality resolvers are optimized for speed, improving website loading times.
   

Now let's move onto changing your DNS setting!

Windows:

1. Open Network Settings:

   • Press Windows + R, type ncpa.cpl, and press Enter.

2. Select Network Connection:

   • Right-click your active network connection (e.g., Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and select Properties.

3. Access DNS Settings:

   • Scroll down and double-click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).

4. Change DNS:

   • Select Use the following DNS server addresses.

   • Enter your preferred DNS server (e.g., 8.8.8.8 for Google DNS) in Preferred DNS server and 8.8.4.4 in Alternate DNS server.

5. Save Changes:

   • Click OK to save and close all windows.

Mac:

1. Open System Preferences:

   • Click the Apple menu and select System Preferences, then choose Network.

2. Select Network Connection:

   • Click your active network (e.g., Wi-Fi or Ethernet) in the left pane and then click Advanced.

3. Access DNS Tab:

   • Navigate to the DNS tab.

4. Change DNS:

   • Click the + button under the DNS Servers list.

   • Add your preferred DNS server (e.g., 8.8.8.8 for Google DNS) and additional servers (e.g., 8.8.4.4).

5. Save Changes:

   • Click OK and then Apply to confirm.

Start protecting your online privacy today—try switching to a privacy-focused DNS resolver like Quad9 or NextDNS!