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Reorganize DNS recommendations
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jonaharagon committed Mar 13, 2024
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18 changes: 18 additions & 0 deletions docs/advanced/dns-overview.md
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Expand Up @@ -82,6 +82,24 @@ Encrypted DNS can refer to one of a number of protocols, the most common ones be

Native implementation of DoH showed up in iOS 14, macOS 11, Microsoft Windows, and Android 13 (however, it won't be enabled [by default](https://android-review.googlesource.com/c/platform/packages/modules/DnsResolver/+/1833144)). General Linux desktop support is waiting on the systemd [implementation](https://github.com/systemd/systemd/issues/8639) so [installing third-party software is still required](../dns.md#encrypted-dns-proxies).
### Native Operating System Support
#### Android
Android 9 and above support DNS over TLS. The settings can be found in: **Settings** → **Network & Internet** → **Private DNS**.
#### Apple Devices
The latest versions of iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, and macOS, support both DoT and DoH. Both protocols are supported natively via [configuration profiles](https://support.apple.com/guide/security/configuration-profile-enforcement-secf6fb9f053/web) or through the [DNS Settings API](https://developer.apple.com/documentation/networkextension/dns_settings).
After installation of either a configuration profile or an app that uses the DNS Settings API, the DNS configuration can be selected. If a VPN is active, resolution within the VPN tunnel will use the VPN's DNS settings and not your system-wide settings.

Apple does not provide a native interface for creating encrypted DNS profiles. [Secure DNS profile creator](https://dns.notjakob.com/tool.html) is an unofficial tool for creating your own encrypted DNS profiles, however they will not be signed. Signed profiles are preferred; signing validates a profile's origin and helps to ensure the integrity of the profiles. A green "Verified" label is given to signed configuration profiles. For more information on code signing, see [About Code Signing](https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/Security/Conceptual/CodeSigningGuide/Introduction/Introduction.html). **Signed profiles** are offered by [AdGuard](https://adguard.com/en/blog/encrypted-dns-ios-14.html), [NextDNS](https://apple.nextdns.io), and [Quad9](https://www.quad9.net/news/blog/ios-mobile-provisioning-profiles/).
#### Linux
`systemd-resolved`, which many Linux distributions use to do their DNS lookups, doesn't yet [support DoH](https://github.com/systemd/systemd/issues/8639). If you want to use DoH, you'll need to install a proxy like [dnscrypt-proxy](https://github.com/DNSCrypt/dnscrypt-proxy) and [configure it](https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Dnscrypt-proxy) to take all the DNS queries from your system resolver and forward them over HTTPS.
## What can an outside party see?
In this example we will record what happens when we make a DoH request:
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127 changes: 62 additions & 65 deletions docs/dns.md
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Expand Up @@ -11,64 +11,88 @@ Encrypted DNS with third-party servers should only be used to get around basic [

## Recommended Providers

These are our favorite public DNS resolvers based on their privacy and security characteristics, and their worldwide performance. Some of these services offer basic DNS-level blocking of malware or trackers depending on the server you choose, but if you want to be able to see and customize what is blocked you should use a dedicated DNS filtering product instead.

| DNS Provider | Privacy Policy | Protocols | Logging | ECS | Filtering |
| ------------ | -------------- | --------- | ------- | --- | --------- |
| [**AdGuard**](https://adguard.com/en/adguard-dns/overview.html) | [:octicons-link-external-24:](https://adguard.com/en/privacy/dns.html) | Cleartext <br> DoH/3 <br> DoT <br> DoQ <br> DNSCrypt | Some[^1] | Yes | Based on personal configuration. Filter list being used can be found here. [:octicons-link-external-24:](https://github.com/AdguardTeam/AdGuardDNS) |
| [**Cloudflare**](https://developers.cloudflare.com/1.1.1.1/setup) | [:octicons-link-external-24:](https://developers.cloudflare.com/1.1.1.1/privacy/public-dns-resolver) | Cleartext <br> DoH/3 <br> DoT | Some[^2] | No | Based on personal configuration.|
| [**Control D**](https://controld.com/free-dns) | [:octicons-link-external-24:](https://controld.com/privacy) | Cleartext <br> DoH/3 <br> DoT <br> DoQ| Optional[^3] | No | Based on personal configuration. |
| [**Mullvad**](https://mullvad.net/en/help/dns-over-https-and-dns-over-tls) | [:octicons-link-external-24:](https://mullvad.net/en/help/no-logging-data-policy) | DoH <br> DoT | No[^4] | No | Based on personal configuration. Filter list being used can be found here. [:octicons-link-external-24:](https://github.com/mullvad/dns-adblock) |
| [**NextDNS**](https://nextdns.io) | [:octicons-link-external-24:](https://nextdns.io/privacy) | Cleartext <br> DoH/3 <br> DoT <br> DoQ | Optional[^5] | Optional | Based on personal configuration. |
| [**Quad9**](https://quad9.net) | [:octicons-link-external-24:](https://quad9.net/privacy/policy) | Cleartext <br> DoH <br> DoT <br> DNSCrypt | Some[^6] | Optional | Based on personal configuration, Malware blocking by default. |
| [**AdGuard Public DNS**](https://adguard-dns.io/en/public-dns.html) | [:octicons-link-external-24:](https://adguard.com/en/privacy/dns.html) | Cleartext <br> DoH/3 <br> DoT <br> DoQ <br> DNSCrypt | Some[^1] | Yes | Based on server choice. Filter list being used can be found here. [:octicons-link-external-24:](https://github.com/AdguardTeam/AdGuardDNS)
| [**Cloudflare**](https://developers.cloudflare.com/1.1.1.1/setup/) | [:octicons-link-external-24:](https://developers.cloudflare.com/1.1.1.1/privacy/public-dns-resolver/) | Cleartext <br> DoH/3 <br> DoT | Some[^2] | No | Based on server choice.|
| [**Control D Free DNS**](https://controld.com/free-dns) | [:octicons-link-external-24:](https://controld.com/privacy) | Cleartext <br> DoH/3 <br> DoT <br> DoQ| Optional[^3] | No | Based on server choice. |
| [**Mullvad**](https://mullvad.net/en/help/dns-over-https-and-dns-over-tls) | [:octicons-link-external-24:](https://mullvad.net/en/help/no-logging-data-policy/) | DoH <br> DoT | No[^4] | No | Based on server choice. Filter list being used can be found here. [:octicons-link-external-24:](https://github.com/mullvad/dns-adblock)
| [**Quad9**](https://quad9.net) | [:octicons-link-external-24:](https://quad9.net/privacy/policy/) | Cleartext <br> DoH <br> DoT <br> DNSCrypt | Some[^5] | Optional | Based on server choice, malware blocking by default. |

[^1]: AdGuard stores aggregated performance metrics of their DNS servers, namely the number of complete requests to a particular server, the number of blocked requests, and the speed of processing requests. They also keep and store the database of domains requested in within last 24 hours. "We need this information to identify and block new trackers and threats." "We also log how many times this or that tracker has been blocked. We need this information to remove outdated rules from our filters." [https://adguard.com/en/privacy/dns.html](https://adguard.com/en/privacy/dns.html)
[^2]: Cloudflare collects and stores only the limited DNS query data that is sent to the 1.1.1.1 resolver. The 1.1.1.1 resolver service does not log personal data, and the bulk of the limited non-personally identifiable query data is stored only for 25 hours. [https://developers.cloudflare.com/1.1.1.1/privacy/public-dns-resolver/](https://developers.cloudflare.com/1.1.1.1/privacy/public-dns-resolver)
[^3]: Control D only logs for Premium resolvers with custom DNS profiles. Free resolvers do not log data. [https://controld.com/privacy](https://controld.com/privacy)
[^4]: Mullvad's DNS service is available to both subscribers and non-subscribers of Mullvad VPN. Their privacy policy explicitly claims they do not log DNS requests in any way. [https://mullvad.net/en/help/no-logging-data-policy/](https://mullvad.net/en/help/no-logging-data-policy)
[^5]: When used with an account, NextDNS will enable insights and logging features by default (as some features require it). You can choose retention time and log storage location for any logs you choose to keep, or disable logs altogether. If used without an account, no data is logged. [https://nextdns.io/privacy](https://nextdns.io/privacy)
[^6]: Quad9 collects some data for the purposes of threat monitoring and response. That data may then be remixed and shared, such as for the purpose of security research. Quad9 does not collect or record IP addresses or other data they deem personally identifiable. [https://quad9.net/privacy/policy](https://quad9.net/privacy/policy)
[^5]: Quad9 collects some data for the purposes of threat monitoring and response. That data may then be remixed and shared, such as for the purpose of security research. Quad9 does not collect or record IP addresses or other data they deem personally identifiable. [https://quad9.net/privacy/policy](https://quad9.net/privacy/policy)

### Criteria
## Self-Hosted DNS Filtering

**Please note we are not affiliated with any of the projects we recommend.** In addition to [our standard criteria](about/criteria.md), we have developed a clear set of requirements to allow us to provide objective recommendations. We suggest you familiarize yourself with this list before choosing to use a project, and conduct your own research to ensure it's the right choice for you.
A self-hosted DNS solution is useful for providing filtering on controlled platforms, such as Smart TVs and other IoT devices, as no client-side software is needed.

<div class="admonition example" markdown>
<p class="admonition-title">This section is new</p>
### Pi-hole

We are working on establishing defined criteria for every section of our site, and this may be subject to change. If you have any questions about our criteria, please [ask on our forum](https://discuss.privacyguides.net/latest) and don't assume we didn't consider something when making our recommendations if it is not listed here. There are many factors considered and discussed when we recommend a project, and documenting every single one is a work-in-progress.
<div class="admonition recommendation" markdown>

![Pi-hole logo](assets/img/dns/pi-hole.svg){ align=right }

**Pi-hole** is an open-source [DNS-sinkhole](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DNS_sinkhole) which uses [DNS filtering](https://cloudflare.com/learning/access-management/what-is-dns-filtering) to block unwanted web content, such as advertisements.

Pi-hole is designed to be hosted on a Raspberry Pi, but it is not limited to such hardware. The software features a friendly web interface to view insights and manage blocked content.

[:octicons-home-16: Homepage](https://pi-hole.net){ .md-button .md-button--primary }
[:octicons-eye-16:](https://pi-hole.net/privacy){ .card-link title="Privacy Policy" }
[:octicons-info-16:](https://docs.pi-hole.net){ .card-link title=Documentation}
[:octicons-code-16:](https://github.com/pi-hole/pi-hole){ .card-link title="Source Code" }
[:octicons-heart-16:](https://pi-hole.net/donate){ .card-link title=Contribute }

</details>

</div>

- Must support [DNSSEC](advanced/dns-overview.md#what-is-dnssec).
- [QNAME Minimization](advanced/dns-overview.md#what-is-qname-minimization).
- Allow for [ECS](advanced/dns-overview.md#what-is-edns-client-subnet-ecs) to be disabled.
- Prefer [anycast](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anycast#Addressing_methods) support or geo-steering support.
### AdGuard Home

## Native Operating System Support
<div class="admonition recommendation" markdown>

### Android
![AdGuard Home logo](assets/img/dns/adguard-home.svg){ align=right }

Android 9 and above support DNS over TLS. The settings can be found in: **Settings** &rarr; **Network & Internet** &rarr; **Private DNS**.
**AdGuard Home** is an open-source [DNS-sinkhole](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DNS_sinkhole) which uses [DNS filtering](https://cloudflare.com/learning/access-management/what-is-dns-filtering) to block unwanted web content, such as advertisements.

AdGuard Home features a polished web interface to view insights and manage blocked content.

[:octicons-home-16: Homepage](https://adguard.com/adguard-home/overview.html){ .md-button .md-button--primary }
[:octicons-eye-16:](https://adguard.com/privacy/home.html){ .card-link title="Privacy Policy" }
[:octicons-info-16:](https://github.com/AdguardTeam/AdGuardHome/wiki){ .card-link title=Documentation}
[:octicons-code-16:](https://github.com/AdguardTeam/AdGuardHome){ .card-link title="Source Code" }

### Apple Devices
</details>

The latest versions of iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, and macOS, support both DoT and DoH. Both protocols are supported natively via [configuration profiles](https://support.apple.com/guide/security/configuration-profile-enforcement-secf6fb9f053/web) or through the [DNS Settings API](https://developer.apple.com/documentation/networkextension/dns_settings).
</div>

After installation of either a configuration profile or an app that uses the DNS Settings API, the DNS configuration can be selected. If a VPN is active, resolution within the VPN tunnel will use the VPN's DNS settings and not your system-wide settings.
## Cloud-Based DNS Filtering

#### Signed Profiles
These DNS filtering solutions offer a web dashboard where you can customize the blocklists to your exact needs, similarly to a Pi-hole. These services are usually easier to set up and configure than self-hosted services like the ones above, and can be used more easily across multiple networks (self-hosted solutions are typically restricted to your home/local network unless you set up a more advanced configuration).

Apple does not provide a native interface for creating encrypted DNS profiles. [Secure DNS profile creator](https://dns.notjakob.com/tool.html) is an unofficial tool for creating your own encrypted DNS profiles, however they will not be signed. Signed profiles are preferred; signing validates a profile's origin and helps to ensure the integrity of the profiles. A green "Verified" label is given to signed configuration profiles. For more information on code signing, see [About Code Signing](https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/Security/Conceptual/CodeSigningGuide/Introduction/Introduction.html). **Signed profiles** are offered by [AdGuard](https://adguard.com/en/blog/encrypted-dns-ios-14.html), [NextDNS](https://apple.nextdns.io), and [Quad9](https://quad9.net/news/blog/ios-mobile-provisioning-profiles).
### NextDNS

<div class="admonition info" markdown>
<p class="admonition-title">Info</p>
<div class="admonition recommendation" markdown>

`systemd-resolved`, which many Linux distributions use to do their DNS lookups, doesn't yet [support DoH](https://github.com/systemd/systemd/issues/8639). If you want to use DoH, you'll need to install a proxy like [dnscrypt-proxy](https://github.com/DNSCrypt/dnscrypt-proxy) and [configure it](https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Dnscrypt-proxy) to take all the DNS queries from your system resolver and forward them over HTTPS.
**NextDNS**

</div>

### Control D

<div class="admonition recommendation" markdown>

**Control D**

</div>

## Encrypted DNS Proxies

Encrypted DNS proxy software provides a local proxy for the [unencrypted DNS](advanced/dns-overview.md#unencrypted-dns) resolver to forward to. Typically it is used on platforms that don't natively support [encrypted DNS](advanced/dns-overview.md#what-is-encrypted-dns).
Encrypted DNS proxy software provides a local proxy for the [unencrypted DNS](advanced/dns-overview.md#unencrypted-dns) resolver to forward to. Typically, it is used on platforms that don't natively support [encrypted DNS](advanced/dns-overview.md#what-is-encrypted-dns).

### RethinkDNS

Expand Down Expand Up @@ -122,45 +146,18 @@ Encrypted DNS proxy software provides a local proxy for the [unencrypted DNS](ad

</div>

## Self-hosted Solutions

A self-hosted DNS solution is useful for providing filtering on controlled platforms, such as Smart TVs and other IoT devices, as no client-side software is needed.

### AdGuard Home

<div class="admonition recommendation" markdown>

![AdGuard Home logo](assets/img/dns/adguard-home.svg){ align=right }

**AdGuard Home** is an open-source [DNS-sinkhole](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DNS_sinkhole) which uses [DNS filtering](https://cloudflare.com/learning/access-management/what-is-dns-filtering) to block unwanted web content, such as advertisements.
## Criteria

AdGuard Home features a polished web interface to view insights and manage blocked content.
**Please note we are not affiliated with any of the projects we recommend.** In addition to [our standard criteria](about/criteria.md), we have developed a clear set of requirements to allow us to provide objective recommendations. We suggest you familiarize yourself with this list before choosing to use a project, and conduct your own research to ensure it's the right choice for you.

[:octicons-home-16: Homepage](https://adguard.com/adguard-home/overview.html){ .md-button .md-button--primary }
[:octicons-eye-16:](https://adguard.com/privacy/home.html){ .card-link title="Privacy Policy" }
[:octicons-info-16:](https://github.com/AdguardTeam/AdGuardHome/wiki){ .card-link title=Documentation}
[:octicons-code-16:](https://github.com/AdguardTeam/AdGuardHome){ .card-link title="Source Code" }
<div class="admonition example" markdown>
<p class="admonition-title">This section is new</p>

</details>
We are working on establishing defined criteria for every section of our site, and this may be subject to change. If you have any questions about our criteria, please [ask on our forum](https://discuss.privacyguides.net/latest) and don't assume we didn't consider something when making our recommendations if it is not listed here. There are many factors considered and discussed when we recommend a project, and documenting every single one is a work-in-progress.

</div>

### Pi-hole

<div class="admonition recommendation" markdown>

![Pi-hole logo](assets/img/dns/pi-hole.svg){ align=right }

**Pi-hole** is an open-source [DNS-sinkhole](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DNS_sinkhole) which uses [DNS filtering](https://cloudflare.com/learning/access-management/what-is-dns-filtering) to block unwanted web content, such as advertisements.

Pi-hole is designed to be hosted on a Raspberry Pi, but it is not limited to such hardware. The software features a friendly web interface to view insights and manage blocked content.

[:octicons-home-16: Homepage](https://pi-hole.net){ .md-button .md-button--primary }
[:octicons-eye-16:](https://pi-hole.net/privacy){ .card-link title="Privacy Policy" }
[:octicons-info-16:](https://docs.pi-hole.net){ .card-link title=Documentation}
[:octicons-code-16:](https://github.com/pi-hole/pi-hole){ .card-link title="Source Code" }
[:octicons-heart-16:](https://pi-hole.net/donate){ .card-link title=Contribute }

</details>

</div>
- Must support [DNSSEC](advanced/dns-overview.md#what-is-dnssec).
- [QNAME Minimization](advanced/dns-overview.md#what-is-qname-minimization).
- Allow for [ECS](advanced/dns-overview.md#what-is-edns-client-subnet-ecs) to be disabled.
- Prefer [anycast](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anycast#Addressing_methods) support or geo-steering support.

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