What is Encrypted DNS Traffic and Why it Matters?

Whenever you access a website, your device performs an essential task that most users never notice. It reaches out to a Domain Name System, or DNS, server to translate the human-readable web address into a numerical IP address. This process acts like the internet’s phonebook, allowing your browser to connect to the correct server and load the page you requested.

However, many people do not realize these DNS requests are often sent across the network without protection. In most cases, DNS traffic is not encrypted. That means any entity with access to the network can see which websites you are trying to visit. This includes your internet service provider, a public Wi-Fi network administrator, or even malicious actors using network monitoring tools.

This lack of encryption creates a serious privacy and security concern. It allows others to track your online behavior, block or manipulate the websites you try to reach, and gather detailed information about your interests and activities. Exposing DNS traffic is no longer acceptable in a world where data is constantly being collected, sold, and exploited.

In this guide, we’ll explain encrypted DNS, how it works, and why securing your DNS traffic should be a top priority for anyone serious about online privacy.

What Is Encrypted DNS Traffic?

Encrypted DNS traffic refers to securing DNS queries so that no third party can read, intercept, or manipulate them. By using encryption protocols, these DNS requests are shielded from surveillance and tampering, making your internet activity significantly more private and secure.

Why Standard DNS Is Not Secure

Traditional DNS was not designed with privacy in mind. When your device sends a DNS request to look up the IP address of a website, that request typically travels across the network in plaintext. This means it can be seen by internet service providers, network administrators, or any attacker monitoring the connection.

Even if the website you are visiting uses HTTPS, your DNS queries can still reveal where you are going. This is a major privacy issue, especially on public Wi-Fi networks or in countries with strict internet monitoring policies.

The Purpose of Encrypted DNS

Encrypted DNS aims to protect your DNS queries from unwanted access. Encrypting this traffic makes it unreadable to anyone except the intended DNS resolver, ensuring that your internet activity cannot be tracked or altered at the DNS level.

Encrypted DNS also prevents attackers from redirecting your queries to fake or malicious websites, a tactic known as DNS spoofing or DNS hijacking. This is especially important for users who rely on secure and private connections, such as journalists, travelers, or individuals living under restrictive regimes.

Why Encrypted DNS Matters?

Unencrypted DNS traffic is like broadcasting your web activity over a loudspeaker. Even if the rest of your internet traffic is encrypted through HTTPS, your DNS queries remain exposed unless specifically protected, creating multiple privacy and security risks.

Surveillance and tracking

Internet service providers, network operators, and even public Wi-Fi hosts can log DNS queries to monitor your browsing behavior. This information can be used to build profiles, serve targeted ads, or share with third parties without your consent. In some regions, ISPs are legally allowed, or even required, to retain and hand over this data.

Censorship and content filtering

Plaintext DNS makes blocking access to specific websites easy for governments or institutions. By monitoring DNS queries, they can deny responses or redirect users to alternate content. This method is commonly used in countries with restrictive internet policies, making it difficult for users to access unbiased information or open platforms.

Security threats

Attackers can intercept unencrypted DNS traffic and execute man-in-the-middle attacks. They may redirect you to malicious websites that look identical to legitimate ones, aiming to steal credentials, financial information, or personal files. ISPs can also use DNS hijacking to inject unwanted ads or trackers into your browsing experience.

Loss of anonymity

Unencrypted DNS queries can reveal your online activity even if you use a VPN or visit websites in incognito mode. This undermines your privacy and makes it easier for websites or networks to fingerprint your behavior across sessions.

How does Encrypted DNS Traffic Work?

Understanding how encrypted DNS works helps to grasp first how a typical DNS request flows without encryption. When you type a website address into your browser, your device sends a DNS query to a resolver. That resolver looks up the corresponding IP address and sends it back, allowing your browser to connect to the correct web server. This entire exchange usually happens in plaintext, meaning anyone along the path can see or interfere with it.

Encrypted DNS changes are achieved by wrapping the DNS query in an encrypted layer. This layer protects the data in transit, making it unreadable to third parties and significantly improving user privacy.

Let us break the process down step by step.

Step 1: A DNS Query Is Generated

When you enter a domain like astrill.com into your browser, your device creates a DNS query. This query asks, “What is the IP address for this domain?” Usually, this query would be sent directly over the network in plaintext.

If you use a VPN or privacy-focused DNS resolver that supports encryption, the system is designed to route this query through a secure channel.

Step 2: Encryption Protocol Is Applied

Depending on the configuration and DNS provider you are using, the system will apply one of several supported encryption protocols. These may include DNS over HTTPS, DNS over TLS, or DNSCrypt.

Each of these protocols encrypts the DNS request before it leaves your device. Encryption ensures that the query’s contents, such as the domain name and any additional data, are protected from unauthorized viewing or modification.

Step 3: Secure Connection Is Established

The encrypted DNS query is sent through a secure channel to a trusted DNS resolver that supports the same encryption protocol. For example, if your system is using DNS over HTTPS, the request will travel through an HTTPS-secured connection to a DoH-compatible resolver.

This connection is authenticated, meaning your device verifies that the resolver is legitimate and has a valid certificate. This step prevents attackers from impersonating DNS servers or redirecting traffic.

Step 4: The Resolver Processes the Query

Once the secure DNS resolver receives the encrypted query, it decrypts it and performs a lookup for the domain’s IP address. Because the query arrived encrypted, no other party along the route could read or alter it during transit.

After the resolver finds the matching IP address, it prepares a response to send back to your device. This response is also protected by the same secure channel that was established earlier.

Step 5: The Encrypted Response Is Returned

The DNS resolver sends the response to your device through the encrypted tunnel. Your device then decrypts the information and uses the returned IP address to connect to the desired website.

The entire exchange never exposes the DNS request and response in plaintext. Anyone monitoring the network will only see encrypted data, making tracking the websites you visit nearly impossible.

DNS Encryption Protocols

Encrypted DNS is made possible through specialized protocols that protect DNS queries from surveillance, interception, and manipulation. Each protocol has a unique method for encrypting DNS traffic, but all enhance user privacy and network security.

Here are the main protocols supporting encrypted DNS and how each works.

DNS over HTTPS (DoH)

DNS over HTTPS is one of the most widely adopted protocols for encrypted DNS. It sends DNS queries through the same secure HTTPS channel used to browse websites. This means DNS traffic is embedded within regular web traffic, making it difficult for outsiders to distinguish or block.

DoH is especially effective when internet traffic is closely monitored or filtered. Because it blends in with other encrypted web traffic, it avoids easy detection by firewalls and censorship tools. Major web browsers like Firefox and Chrome have built-in support for DNS over HTTPS, which has helped accelerate its adoption.

DoH enhances privacy and security by ensuring that DNS queries are protected from start to finish. However, it also means that DNS resolution is handled at the application level, which can limit visibility and control for system administrators.

DNS over TLS (DoT)

DNS over TLS provides another method for encrypting DNS queries. Unlike DoH, which uses the HTTPS protocol over port 443, DoT operates over a dedicated port using the Transport Layer Security protocol.

With DoT, the DNS client establishes a direct encrypted connection to the resolver before sending any queries. This channel ensures that both the request and the response are secured and cannot be seen by third parties.

DoT is often favored in enterprise or advanced user environments where greater control over traffic flow is desired. Since it uses a distinct port, administrators can manage DNS traffic separately while preserving encryption. However, this also means that detecting or blocking in restrictive network environments may be easier.

DNSCrypt

DNSCrypt is a protocol that encrypts DNS traffic while authenticating communications between the DNS client and the resolver. This dual function helps ensure that the data is protected, and the resolver being used is verified as legitimate and trusted.

Developed before DoH and DoT gained popularity, DNSCrypt was an early solution to DNS insecurity. Although it is not supported as widely as newer protocols, it remains used among privacy-focused DNS services and open-source platforms.

DNSCrypt uses strong cryptographic algorithms to ensure that queries cannot be read or tampered with. It also adds a layer of security against DNS spoofing, a tactic where malicious servers deliver false DNS responses to redirect users to fake or harmful websites.

DoH vs DoT vs DNSCrypt

Feature	DNS over HTTPS (DoH)	DNS over TLS (DoT)	DNSCrypt
Encryption Method	Uses HTTPS (HTTP over TLS)	Uses TLS over a dedicated port	Uses custom encryption and authentication methods
Port Used	Port 443 (same as HTTPS)	Port 853	Custom (usually port 443 or 5353)
Traffic Visibility	Blends with HTTPS web traffic	Distinct from regular web traffic	Distinct but can be configured to look like HTTPS
Privacy Protection	High	High	High
Authentication	Supported through HTTPS certificates	Supported through TLS handshake	Includes strong resolver authentication
Resistance to Censorship	Very strong due to use of HTTPS	Moderate, can be blocked more easily	Strong, depending on configuration
Performance Impact	Minimal	Minimal	Slightly higher due to encryption overhead
Browser Support	Built into Firefox, Chrome, Edge, and others	Not browser-based, system-level only	Not built into browsers, needs third-party tools
Operating System Support	Supported natively in newer OS versions	Widely supported at system level	Requires manual setup or third-party apps
Best Use Case	General users seeking seamless privacy	Tech-savvy users or managed networks	Power users who want encryption with authentication

Pros and Cons of Encrypted DNS

Encrypted DNS has emerged as an essential advancement in internet security and privacy. It encrypts your domain name queries to prevent third parties from monitoring or modifying your DNS traffic. However, like any technology, it has both advantages and disadvantages.

Below is a breakdown of encrypted DNS’s key pros and cons to help you understand where it excels and where it may fall short.

Pros of Encrypted DNS

1. Strong Privacy Protection

Encrypted DNS prevents unauthorized entities such as ISPs, network administrators, or attackers from snooping on your DNS queries. This makes it much harder for anyone to see which websites you visit, even if they monitor your connection.

2. Protection Against DNS Spoofing and MITM Attacks

By encrypting DNS requests and responses, encrypted DNS helps guard against man-in-the-middle attacks. It reduces the risk of DNS spoofing, where attackers redirect users to fraudulent or malicious websites.

3. Bypassing DNS-Based Censorship

Encrypted DNS protocols can help users bypass DNS-based censorship in regions where access to information is tightly controlled. Because these queries are hidden from view, they are harder to filter or block based on domain names.

4. Improved Security on Public Wi-Fi

On unsecured networks such as public Wi-Fi, DNS queries are typically exposed. Encrypted DNS keeps your requests private and protected from rogue access points or network sniffers that attempt to collect sensitive browsing data.

5. Complements VPN Security

Encrypted DNS enhances the effectiveness of a VPN. While the VPN encrypts all your internet traffic and hides your IP address, encrypted DNS ensures that DNS requests are routed securely and not leaked outside the VPN tunnel.

Cons of Encrypted DNS

1. Not a Standalone Privacy Solution

Encrypted DNS only protects the DNS layer of your internet activity. It does not hide your IP address or encrypt the contents of your web sessions. Without a VPN, other parts of your connection may still be exposed.

2. Limited Resolver Trust

When you use encrypted DNS, your queries are encrypted between you and the resolver, but the resolver still sees your domain requests. This shifts the trust from your ISP to the DNS provider. If that provider logs data or is compromised, your privacy could still be at risk.

3. Compatibility Issues

Some devices, older operating systems, and custom networks do not support encrypted DNS natively. Setting it up may require additional software or manual configuration, which can be complex for non-technical users.

4. Possible Interference with Network Tools

Encrypted DNS can interfere with specific enterprise tools such as content filtering, parental controls, or internal DNS logging systems. This may cause functionality issues or lead to policy conflicts in managed environments.

5. Slight Performance Overhead

Although usually minor, encrypted DNS introduces a slight delay due to the encryption process and establishment of secure connections. On low-power devices or slower networks, this may impact performance slightly.

When to Use Encrypted DNS

1. While Using Public Wi-Fi

Public Wi-Fi networks are often unsecured and heavily targeted by attackers looking to intercept unencrypted data. When you connect to open networks at airports, cafes, hotels, or shopping centers, encrypted DNS ensures that your DNS queries remain private and are not exposed to malicious actors on the same network.

2. When Accessing Censored or Restricted Content

In regions where governments or institutions enforce DNS-based censorship, encrypted DNS helps bypass such restrictions. Since the DNS queries are hidden from local filters and surveillance systems, you can access blocked websites without triggering content filters.

3. While Using a VPN for Full Privacy

Even if you use a VPN like AstrillVPN, encrypted DNS adds another layer of privacy. It ensures that DNS queries do not leak outside the VPN tunnel or get resolved by third-party DNS servers that may log your activity. When used together, VPN and encrypted DNS provide comprehensive protection.

4. During Remote Work and Travel

Remote employees often connect to unfamiliar networks that may not be secure. Encrypted DNS prevents sensitive queries related to corporate resources from being exposed to the local network. This is especially useful when using collaboration tools, accessing internal portals, or connecting to cloud services while traveling.

5. When Using Privacy-Focused Browsers or Apps

Some browsers and applications offer built-in support for encrypted DNS protocols like DoH. Enabling encrypted DNS in such platforms enhances your browsing privacy, especially when not using a VPN. It ensures that DNS traffic is not a weak link in your overall privacy setup.

Where to Use Encrypted DNS

1. Personal Devices

Encrypted DNS is ideal for smartphones, laptops, tablets, and desktops used for personal browsing. Whether you are streaming, shopping, or accessing social media, encrypted DNS keeps your activities private from ISPs and potential onlookers.

2. Home Networks

Configuring encrypted DNS at the router level can protect all devices on your home network, including smart TVs, gaming consoles, and IoT devices. This provides blanket coverage and ensures consistent DNS privacy for every connected device.

3. Enterprise Environments (With Caution)

While encrypted DNS offers privacy benefits, it must be implemented carefully in business environments. Organizations that rely on DNS filtering, monitoring, or access control may need to configure encrypted DNS in a way that aligns with internal policies. Managed DNS resolvers with encryption support are often the best choice.

4. Educational Institutions

Schools and universities that provide internet access can use encrypted DNS to protect student and faculty privacy. However, it should be paired with proper content filtering tools to meet any legal or safety requirements.

5. Censorship-Prone Regions

In countries with aggressive DNS-level filtering and surveillance, encrypted DNS is a crucial tool for free and open access to information. It helps evade censorship and reduces the visibility of your browsing habits.

How to configure encrypted DNS?

Setting up encrypted DNS depends on your preferred device, operating system, and protocol. While many systems offer built-in support, others may require manual configuration or third-party applications. Below is a breakdown of how to enable and configure encrypted DNS across popular platforms and environments.

1. On Windows 10 and Windows 11

Microsoft introduced native support for DNS over HTTPS (DoH) starting with Windows 10 version 2004 and continuing with improvements in Windows 11.

Steps to Enable DoH:

1. Go to Settings → Network & Internet → Ethernet or Wi-Fi.
   
2. Select your active connection and scroll to IP settings.
   
3. Click Edit under DNS settings.
   
4. Choose Manual, turn on IPv4 or IPv6, and enter a known DoH server IP (such as Cloudflare: 1.1.1.1 or Google: 8.8.8.8).
   
5. Choose Encrypted Only (DNS over HTTPS) for both preferred and alternate DNS.
   
6. Save and exit.
   

2. On macOS

As of macOS 11 (Big Sur) and later, Apple supports encrypted DNS using both DoH and DoT. However, native system-wide configuration typically requires a configuration profile or third-party apps.

Using a third-party resolver:

1. Download and install an app like Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1 or NextDNS.
   
2. Follow the app’s instructions to enable system-wide DoH or DoT.
   
3. You may also use a network profile downloaded from the DNS provider’s website for more control.

3. On Android

Android 9 (Pie) and newer versions natively support DNS over TLS (DoT).

Steps to Enable DoT:

1. Go to Settings → Network & Internet → Advanced → Private DNS.
   
2. Select the Private DNS provider hostname.
   
3. Enter the hostname of a trusted DoT provider (e.g., dns.google, one.one.one.one, or dns.quad9.net).
   
4. Save and exit.
   

4. On iOS and iPadOS

Apple provides encrypted DNS support through configuration profiles and third-party apps.

Using a third-party app:

1. Install a trusted DNS app like Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1 or NextDNS.
   
2. Enable encrypted DNS in the app settings.
   
3. The app applies a DNS profile that routes all traffic through DoH or DoT.

5. On Linux

Linux systems do not offer a single standard for encrypted DNS, but you can use packages like systemd-resolved, dnscrypt-proxy, or stubby to enable DoH, DoT, or DNSCrypt.

Basic steps with dnscrypt-proxy:

1. Install dnscrypt-proxy using your package manager.
   
2. Edit the dnscrypt-proxy.toml configuration file to choose your preferred resolvers.
   
3. Enable and start the service.
   
4. Set your system’s DNS resolver to 127.0.0.1.

6. On Routers

Configuring encrypted DNS on a router protects all devices connected to your home network.

Steps to configure (if supported):

1. Log in to your router’s admin panel.
   
2. Look for DNS settings under WAN or Internet settings.
   
3. Enter DoH or DoT server details if supported.
   
4. Save and reboot the router.

7. Using AstrillVPN

AstrillVPN routes all DNS traffic through secure, encrypted VPN tunnels, ensuring complete privacy without additional DNS setup. When connected to any AstrillVPN server:

• DNS leaks are prevented automatically.
  
• DNS queries are resolved by Astrill’s private and encrypted DNS servers.
  
• There is no need for extra DNS software or configuration on your device.

Future of DNS Technology

While encrypted DNS has significantly improved online privacy, it is only one part of the equation. As surveillance techniques and censorship methods become more advanced, the internet community is working on additional privacy-preserving protocols that strengthen user anonymity and make network traffic harder to monitor or filter. Among these innovations, Encrypted Server Name Indication (ESNI), Encrypted Client Hello (ECH), and DNS over QUIC (DoQ) represent the next evolution in secure internet communication.

Encrypted Server Name Indication (ESNI)

When you visit a website over HTTPS, the initial TLS handshake includes the Server Name Indication (SNI) field. This reveals the domain you connect to, even before encryption begins. Although the connection is encrypted afterward, the SNI leaks valuable metadata that network observers or censorship systems can exploit.

ESNI was developed to solve this issue by encrypting the SNI field itself. This makes it more difficult for ISPs, firewalls, or state-level censors to identify the websites you are trying to visit.

However, ESNI was eventually replaced by an advanced protocol called Encrypted Client Hello (ECH), which addresses additional privacy concerns beyond just the SNI.

Encrypted Client Hello (ECH)

ECH is the successor to ESNI and is being developed as part of the TLS 1.3 ecosystem. It encrypts the entire “Client Hello” message during the TLS handshake. This message includes the SNI and other data such as supported cipher suites and extensions, which can be used to fingerprint clients or track user behavior.

By encrypting this message, ECH:

• Hides the destination domain from passive observers
  
• Prevents connection metadata from being used for censorship or surveillance
  
• Reduces the ability to fingerprint clients based on TLS behavior
  

ECH is still under development and not yet widely deployed, but major browsers like Firefox and Chrome are actively testing it. Once adopted more broadly, ECH will be a critical tool in ensuring end-to-end privacy for HTTPS connections, complementing encrypted DNS and VPN technology.

DNS over QUIC (DoQ)

DNS over QUIC (DoQ) is a new encrypted DNS protocol that uses the QUIC transport layer instead of traditional TCP or TLS-based connections. Google originally developed QUIC, which is now standardized by the IETF. It offers faster performance, built-in encryption, and improved connection management.

Key benefits of DoQ include:

• Faster and more efficient DNS queries: QUIC reduces latency due to its multiplexing and zero round-trip handshake features.
  
• Improved privacy and security: Like DoH and DoT, DoQ encrypts DNS queries, preventing them from being intercepted or modified in transit.
  
• Resilience against blocking: QUIC operates over UDP and is harder to detect and block than TCP-based protocols, making DoQ more censorship-resistant.

Which Is Safer: DoH or DoT?

When protecting your DNS traffic, both DNS over HTTPS (DoH) and DNS over TLS (DoT) are secure options. They encrypt your DNS queries, keeping them hidden from third parties like ISPs, hackers, and surveillance tools. But while they offer similar levels of protection, they work in slightly different ways. Here’s how they compare in terms of safety.

Encryption Quality

Both DoH and DoT use strong encryption. DoH uses HTTPS, while DoT uses TLS. From a security standpoint, the level of encryption is the same. This means that your DNS queries are protected in both cases.

Visibility and Blocking

DoH uses port 443, the same port as regular HTTPS websites. This makes it hard to detect and block because it blends in with regular web traffic.

DoT uses port 853, which is dedicated to encrypted DNS. Because it uses a separate port, some networks or firewalls may block it more easily.

Privacy and Data Handling

DoH is often built directly into browsers like Firefox or Chrome. This means the browser may choose the DNS resolver, sometimes sending your DNS queries to a specific provider.

DoT is typically configured at the system level or on a router. It gives users more control over which DNS server is used.

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