Adguard DNS
AdGuard DNS
Website: https://adguard-dns.io/
What Is AdGuard DNS?
AdGuard DNS is a public Domain Name System (DNS) service designed to improve privacy, security, and browsing experience by blocking ads, trackers, and malicious domains at the DNS level.
Instead of allowing your device or network to connect to known advertising, tracking, or harmful domains, AdGuard DNS prevents those connections before they happen—without requiring browser extensions or installed software.
How AdGuard DNS Works
When you visit a website, your device makes a DNS request to find out where that website is hosted. If you are using AdGuard DNS:
- Your DNS request is sent to AdGuard’s DNS servers
- The domain is checked against filtering rules
- If the domain is known for ads, tracking, or malware, the request is blocked
- Safe and legitimate domains are resolved normally
This filtering happens before any content loads, making it fast, efficient, and device-agnostic.
Key Benefits of AdGuard DNS
Improved Privacy
AdGuard DNS blocks known tracking domains, helping to reduce:
- Cross-site tracking
- Behavioural advertising
- Data profiling
This makes it a popular choice for users who want greater online privacy without complex configuration.
Built-In Security Protection
AdGuard DNS helps protect against:
- Malware domains
- Phishing websites
- Known scam and fraudulent sites
By blocking these at the DNS level, harmful connections never reach your device.
Ad and Tracker Blocking (DNS Level)
Unlike browser-based ad blockers, AdGuard DNS:
- Works across all apps and browsers
- Applies to smartphones, tablets, PCs, and smart devices
- Requires no software installation
This makes it ideal for network-wide protection.
AdGuard DNS Simple Setup
AdGuard DNS can be used by:
- Individual devices
- Home routers
- Business networks
All that’s required is changing the DNS server addresses—no accounts or sign-ups needed.
AdGuard DNS Server Addresses
AdGuard provides multiple DNS options depending on your needs:
Default (Ads & Tracking Blocked)
- IPv4:
- 94.140.14.14
- 94.140.15.15
Family Protection (Ads + Adult Content Blocked)
- IPv4:
- 94.140.14.15
- 94.140.15.16
There are also IPv6 and DNS-over-HTTPS / DNS-over-TLS options for enhanced security.
AdGuard DNS vs Other Public DNS Providers
Compared to standard DNS services like Google DNS or ISP DNS:
- Google DNS: Fast, but does not block ads or trackers
- ISP DNS: Often slower, limited privacy, no filtering
- AdGuard DNS: Privacy-focused with built-in filtering
AdGuard DNS is particularly popular with users who want privacy and protection by default, rather than raw speed alone.
AdGuard DNS Things to Be Aware Of
While AdGuard DNS offers many advantages, there are a few considerations:
- Some websites may not function correctly if ad or tracker domains are blocked
- DNS-level blocking is less granular than browser extensions
- Advanced customisation requires AdGuard’s paid products or local software
For most users, however, the default settings work well out of the box.
How AdGuard DNS Affects DNS Lookups
When using AdGuard DNS, DNS lookups may return:
- A blocked response instead of an IP address
- A safe placeholder response
- No response for known malicious domains
This behaviour is expected and often explains why certain ads, trackers, or pages fail to load.
Is AdGuard DNS Right for You?
AdGuard DNS is a strong choice if you want:
- Improved privacy without technical complexity
- Network-wide ad and tracker blocking
- Protection against malicious domains
- A free, easy-to-use DNS service
For businesses, families, and privacy-conscious users, it provides a simple layer of protection with minimal setup.
