All about DNS servers and privacy

A DNS (Domain Name System) server is something we all use when accessing the Internet. It’s therefore good to know the important role it plays when you’re trying to protect your privacy.

What a DNS server knows about you

A DNS server is the first point of contact that your browser makes when you try to access information over the Internet. This is the case for every URL you visit, every file you download, and every image that loads on a website, including ads.

Since your browser contacts the DNS server for each and every new domain name request, the DNS server will know which websites you are visiting and which links you are clicking to other resources.

Therefore, you are constantly leaking information about what you are doing, and when. This is known as a DNS leak.

Is your ISP acting in your best interest?

Your DNS server provider is usually your ISP (internet service provider) or a big company that offers a public DNS provider. That means you are leaking information about your Internet activity to them.

Assuming that an ISP keeps DNS requests to itself, all is well and good.

But some ISPs have found ways to monetize the situation and jeopardize customer privacy.

Mullvad VPN protects against DNS leaks

If you are using the Mullvad VPN app, you are automatically safe from DNS leaks. All of your DNS requests get rerouted to our own non-logging DNS resolver instead of to your ISP or a public DNS provider.

Am I experiencing DNS leaks?

You can quickly find out by using our connection check. If you are leaking info to your DNS server provider, then learn how to prevent DNS leaks.

Are you using DoH or DoT?

If you’re using DNS over HTTPS (DoH) or DNS over TLS (DoT), the app can’t prevent DNS leaks. As an option, we’ve released a public DNS service that offers DoH and DoT.

Try it yourself: Mullvad VPN’s public DNS service.