Windows 10 Quick Tips – DNS, Leaked IP Information

Domain Name System

“The Domain Name System (DNS) is a hierarchical decentralized naming system for computers, services, or other resources connected to the Internet or a private network. It associates various information with domain names assigned to each of the participating entities. Most prominently, it translates more readily memorized domain names to the numerical IP addresses needed for locating and identifying computer services and devices with the underlying network protocols. By providing a worldwide, distributed directory service, the Domain Name System is an essential component of the functionality on the Internet, that has been in use since 1985.” ~ Wikipedia

This week’s Quick Tips article is going to be truly “quick”. I will provide you with a link to an old article I wrote back in 2013 that I think still applies today. Just because it’s old doesn’t mean it no longer has substance. It will show you how to find out which is the fastest available DNS server in your location. The article in question is “DNS – What Is It and How To Find The Best One For You“.

Some of you might cry, “Foul!”, because I didn’t write an original article today, but my excuse is that I wanted to revisit this important DNS topic and didn’t want to reinvent the wheel along the way. I see no advantage in duplicating a perfectly good article that still has substance a few years later. Besides, it has the makings for a perfect Quick Tip!

Bonus Tip – IP Address Information

Your IP (Internet Protocol) address is like the address to your home. It let’s everyone know where you are “calling” from. It also lets everybody know a lot more than that, too, including, but not limited to: advertisers, web sites you visit, where you’ve been and where you’re going. The list is very long, indeed. If you would like to see how much information is passed along as you surf the World Wide Web, then visit IPLeak. They will provide you with not only the dastardly information, but will also offer a few tips on how to correct some of that “leaking” business.

It’s downright scary when you consider how the simple act of internet exploration can garner so much information about us these days. The only way I know to stop it is to pull the plug– no internet, no smart phones, and no toasters that know how you like your bread. I know that it’s not an option for me, and probably not for most of the world, either. (Some simply couldn’t survive without their talking toaster, don’t ya know.)

As always, if you have any helpful suggestions, comments or questions, please share them with us,

Richard

Note: Going forward, I will also be accepting off-topic questions within these Quick Tips articles. I hope to keep a record of them to learn what most interests our readers and to be able to create requested articles based on that response. Don’t be shy.

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