Want to Configure DNSCrypt on Windows? Learn How to Do It

Since the virtual world is full of numerous threats and malicious infections, ensuring DNS security becomes highly important for every computer user. An encrypted DNS server ensures complete safety of inward/outward data during its transits and promises that nothing crucial goes into the wrong hands. DNS resolution by OpenDNS got launched way back in 2012, and it mainly focuses on protecting DNS lookups initiated by your system. Additionally, this encryption feature helps you to monitor and block Internet traffic that contains malicious information or spam links. 

As malware authors, cybercriminals and other online hackers are getting smarter day by day, the company has come up with DNSCrypt to ensure complete DNS security. DNS information can clearly present a complete account of your Internet activities, including the domains and servers you connect to, so it is important for users to secure DNS servers. The new service isn’t the only domain name encryption service available in the market, but yet it is preferred because you can avail it for free.

How to Configure DNS Tool in Windows?

1.       Head towards the OpenDNS’s official website and download the ‘DNSCrypt Proxy ZIP’ package for Windows

2.       Once the file gets downloaded, extract the folder into your ‘C’ drive or any other location to continue. Once you finish extracting the file contents, rename the folder to ‘dnscrypt’ because it will help in easier navigation.

3.       Now, open command prompt with elevated privileges by pressing ‘Win + X’ and select the ‘Command Prompt (Admin)’ option. Or simply search for ‘Command Prompt’ in the Start Menu, and then right-click on it and select ‘Run as Administrator’ option.

4.       Navigate to the ‘bin’ folder, located inside the extracted ‘dnscrypt’ folder, from your ‘Command Prompt’ by typing ‘c:\dnscrypt\bin’

5.       Type in ‘dnscrypt-proxy.exe --resolver-name=opendns --resolvers-list="c:\dnscrypt\bin\dnscrypt-resolvers.csv" --test=0’ command and hit Enter to test the server key fingerprint of the DNS

6.       Once you execute the above command, you should receive a reply regarding the server key fingerprint

7.       To install the latest DNS service on your Windows machine, type this command and hit Enter:

‘dnscrypt-proxy.exe --resolver-name=opendns --resolvers-list="c:\dnscrypt\bin\dnscrypt-resolvers.csv" –install’

 

8.       Now, you will get a confirmation message along with information about the used registry key, and some must change DNS resolver settings

9.       Press ‘Win + X’ to change the DNS settings, and select ‘Network Connections’ option to view the ‘Network Connections’ window. Or you can simply access the same via the ‘Networking and Sharing Center.’

10.   Right-click on your network adapter and select the ‘Properties’ option

11.   Scroll down in the ‘Properties’ window, select ‘Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)’ and then click on the ‘Properties’ button again

12.   Select the ‘Use the following DNS server addresses’ radio button to provide the localhost address and change it to ‘127.0.0.1’ as per your preferred DNS. Once you are done, click ‘Ok’ button to save the changes.

13.   Once completed, relax a bit as your Windows computer is now encrypting all your DNS queries.

Conclusion

Encrypting your DNS traffic holds high importance, especially if you access Internet using open or public Wi-Fi connections regularly. While every user can use OpenDNS solutions to avail impressive DNS security, you may not want to use the secure DNS service as your DNS provider. You can also pick other alternatives that offer the same level of encryption for your inward, as well as outward Internet traffic. DNSCrypt Windows Service Manager is an efficient tool that encrypts your Internet traffic, and all you need to do is to install and configure DNS utility on your Windows PC.