You'd be forgiven if DNS news wasn't on your radar for April Fool's day, but that's just what Cloudflare served up this weekend. In what is very much not a joke, the company announced a new consumer DNS service called 1.1.1.1, with a focus on speed and privacy.
The problem that Cloudflare is trying to solve is what it sees as a system that is often slow and insecure. From Cloudflare:
Nearly everything on the Internet starts with a DNS request. DNS is the Internet's directory. Click on a link, open an app, send an email and the first thing your device does is ask the directory: Where can I find this?
Unfortunately, by default, DNS is usually slow and insecure. Your ISP, and anyone else listening in on the Internet, can see every site you visit and every app you use — even if their content is encrypted. Creepily, some DNS providers sell data about your Internet activity or use it target you with ads.
The company's alternative, 1.1.1.1, places a large emphasis on privacy, with a promise to wipe all logs within 24 hours and to never log your IP address. Cloudflare says that it has also hired a firm to audit its code and practices annually and produce a public report to ensure that it is keeping its privacy promises.
Cloudflare's service also offers support for DNS-over-TLS and DNS-over-HTTPS. Both protocols ensure greater security of web traffic, and Cloudflare is hoping that its support for DNS-over-HTTPS, in particular, will result in greater support for the protocol. "We're hoping that with an independent DNS-over-HTTPS service now available, we'll see more experiments from browsers, operating systems, routers, and apps to support the protocol," the company says. Cloudflare is also positioning the DNS service as a way for citizens to work around internet censorship during government crackdowns.
What's more, Cloudflare is promising that 1.1.1.1 currently ranks as the fastest DNS resolver, averaging around 14ms globally.
If you're interested in trying out Cloudflare's DNS service for yourself, you can visit the 1.1.1.1 website to learn how to get started.
Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c and 8c deliver lower-cost ARM Windows PCs
Qualcomm is finally delivering Windows 10 on ARM chips for entry-level and mid-range laptops. The new Snapdragon 7c and 8c processors look to expand Qualcomm's PC portfolio starting in 2020. Here is what you need to know about these new chips and how they are positioned against the existing top-tier Snapdragon 8cx.
Review: CalDigit's USB-C Pro Dock is a well-built and versatile tool
Most docking stations make you choose whether you want to connect with USB-A, USB-C, or Thunderbolt 3, but CalDigit's USB-C Pro Dock gives you the versatility of being compatible with all three. We tested it out to see if it's worth a buy.
Windows 10 build 19035 rolls out to Fast and Slow ring Insiders
Another new Windows 10 preview build is headed out to Insiders today. Both Slow and Fast ring Insiders can download build 19035, which brings another batch of fixes and improvements, but no new features.
Keep your Xbox One controller charged and ready with these battery options
Sick of standard AA battery cells? Try one of these great Xbox controller charging solutions instead.
