What is DNS, in a nutshell?
Imagine the Internet as a vast city. In this city, DNS acts like a phone book. When you type a website name into your browser, a DNS server translates that English domain name - such as www.arbiio.com.au - into a number-based address that computers use to identify each other and exchange data. This is called an IP address, for example, 192.168.0.1. This process is crucial because it allows all of us to navigate the web without memorising complex numerical addresses. By default, your internet service provider’s (ISP) standard DNS server does this translation for your home internet connection. Yet that’s not all a DNS does, or can do…
You can do better than your Internet provider’s DNS
While DNS is fundamental to Internet functionality, it also plays a critical role in security and privacy. By default, your Internet connection uses the DNS which is run by your Internet service provider (ISPs). For example, Telstra Bigpond or Aussie Broadband. Arbiio exists because of the many compelling reasons that Australian households are switching to alternative DNS providers:
- Content filtering: For families, a better DNS empowers you to control the type of content accessible on your home network. Like magic, setting up these controls at the DNS level means every device connected to your network is covered, without any need for sophisticated networking hardware or expensive software at your residence. Unlike the ISP DNS you already use, Arbiio offers customisable content filtering, enabling blocks and restrictions for websites, apps, games, and more.
- Privacy protection: ISPs often log DNS queries - that means the domains you type into your web browser - which means they can track every website you visit. This data can be sold to advertisers or, in some cases, handed over to governmental agencies. A study by the Center for Democracy & Technology emphasises that using a privacy-focused DNS service can significantly reduce data exposure, playing a major role in ensuring the history of your family's online activity remains private.
- Security enhancements: By using a secure DNS service such as Arbiio, you can protect your family and your computers from many categories of threats that a standard DNS cannot. Research by the Global Cyber Alliance highlights that secure DNS services can block up to 88% of malware before it reaches your home network.
Choosing an Alternative DNS Service
When considering a switch from your ISP DNS to an alternative service, Arbiio is not your only option, but we’re confident you’ll share the opinion of many Australians and New Zealanders that we are the best option. Here are some if the popular choices amongst households who have already switched away from their ISP’s DNS:
1. Google Public DNS
- Pros: Offers reliable service with a focus on performing faster than your ISP DNS.
- Cons: No customisable blocking or restrictions options. Additionally, as the world’s biggest AdTech (advertising technology) company, around 70% of Google’s revenue hinges on the collection of user data for targeted advertising, which may be a concern for privacy-focused users.
2. Cloudflare DNS
- Pros: Prioritises privacy, promising not to log IP addresses for any of their users.
- Cons: Not configurable to suit the unique filtering needs of many households, such blocking some sites but allowing others, or vice versa.
3. Arbiio (that’s us!)
- Pros: Australian based with all services hosted onshore, providing the best performance for Aussie households. Arbiio is highly configurable to suit the diverse needs of families across the country and is committed to privacy - we do not log or store data unless requested by our customers.
- Cons: Unlike some DNS providers, not all Arbiio account tiers are free, with our premium offering costing $8 per month. That is because your data is never sold; your personal information is not the product we sell. You can read more about this in our Privacy Principles & Policies disclosure.
What are the specific feature benefits of using Arbiio?
Let’s look at a few of the most popular ways Arbiio protects your home network, and the wellbeing of people using it…
Arbiio can block or restrict not just websites, but advertising, smartphone apps, and games as well, including but not limited to:
- Social network sites and apps of your choice, including the likes of TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram.
- Online play for specific games, or entire game networks such as Xbox Live. You can restrict them always, or just at certain times when they shouldn’t be played.
- Digital ads can also be blocked to mitigate malware threats and misleading click-throughs. This extends as far as the removal of ads from smart TVs, as well as every other Internet connected device in your house with a screen.
Arbiio enables the enforcement of SafeSearch on Google and other search engines for your whole network, overruling any web browser setting that would otherwise remove SafeSearch and permit inappropriate search results to be served.
Finally, Arbiio protects every device on your network; you only need to change your DNS settings in one place in your router’s control panel, and your blocking filters are applied for your entire home network.
To see all of Arbiio’s features and how we protect your computers and your family members, you can experiment with our configuration pages before providing any personal information.
Implementing a New DNS Service
Switching your DNS service is a straightforward process, involving the changing of just one setting on your Internet router. We provide detailed instructions for your router at the end of Arbiio’s sign-up process, but here's a quick guide:
- First, access your router settings: Use your web browser to enter your router's IP address. This information is usually found on the back of the router itself or in the user manual.
- Next, locate DNS settings: Navigate to the DNS settings section. This is often under "Internet" or "Network" settings.
- Now enter your new DNS addresses: Replace the existing DNS addresses with those of your chosen service, such as Arbiio’s Family Friendly DNS addresses.
- Finally, save those changes and restart the router: Save your changes and restart your router for the new settings to take effect.
We’re helping create safer homes and stronger families
Protecting your family's online experience is as crucial as locking your front door. By understanding the role of DNS and considering an alternative service, you can enhance your network's security, safeguard your family's privacy, and even tailor content accessibility to suit your household's needs.
Perhaps even more importantly, by taking control of your DNS settings, you're not just fortifying your family's digital life against the myriad of online threats. You are proactively opening the door for meaningful discussions with family members about the reasons that some content should be blocked, and cultivate important conversations about responsible Internet use.