Block Malware With Cloudflare’s New DNS Options

Cloudflare has launched a new version of its free DNS (Domain Name System) service called Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 for Families that blocks adult content and malware before your browser ever has a chance to load it. It’s one more tool in your security stash that’s worth considering if you want to stay extra-safe (or find yourself always having to clean malware and crap off your relatives’ systems).

For background, DNS is like the phone book of the internet, the means by which your internet browsers and other apps translate easy-to-remember domain names into the IP addresses you’re actually connecting to.

Cloudflare’s new DNS offerings cross-reference the domain your browser is trying to access with a list of known adult websites and malware locations. This is different from content blocking browser extensions or anti-malware apps, which tend to intercept files or specific content after a website has loaded. While Cloudflare’s new DNS resolvers were created with families in mind, just about anyone can probably find a use for both—especially since they’re absolutely free (and typically much faster at resolving than your ISP’s DNS).

How to set up Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 for Families

On Windows:

  1. Search for and open “Control Panel” from the Windows Start menu. For simplicity’s sake, switch to the small or large icon view.

  2. Click on Network and Sharing Centre > Change adaptor settings

  3. Right click on your active ethernet or wifi connection and click “Properties.”

  4. Highlight either “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)“ or “Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)“ from the list, then click “Properties” and edit your DNS settings as follows (after selecting “Use the following DNS server addresses” instead of “Obtain DNS server address automatically.”

For IPv4: Add to or replace any IP addresses that may be already listed with:

Malware-blocking

  • 1.1.1.2

  • 1.0.0.2

Malware and adult content-blocking

  • 1.1.1.3

  • 1.0.0.3

For IPv6: Add to or replace any IP addresses that may be already listed with:

Malware-blocking

  • 2606:4700:4700::1112

  • 2606:4700:4700::1002

Malware and adult content-blocking

  • 2606:4700:4700::1113

  • 2606:4700:4700::1003

Once you’ve added/replaced the required IP address, click “OK” and back out of the rest of the windows. The filters will now be active the next time you load up your internet browser. (Be sure to check Cloudflare’s help page for Windows if you run into any issues.)


On macOS:

  1. Press the Command+Space keys, then search for and run “System Preferences.”

  2. Go to Network, then click on your active connection and select Advanced > DNS.

  3. Click on the Plus icon under “DNS Servers” and enter the following IPv4 and/or IPv6 addresses:

Malware-blocking (IPv4)

  • 1.1.1.2

  • 1.0.0.2

Malware and adult content-blocking (IPv4) 

  • 1.1.1.3

  • 1.0.0.3

Malware-blocking (IPv6)

  • 2606:4700:4700::1112

  • 2606:4700:4700::1002

Malware and adult content-blocking (IPv6)

  • 2606:4700:4700::1113

  • 2606:4700:4700::1003

Click “OK” and then “Apply” to save the changes. The filters should now be active. Cloudflare’s Mac setup page may help if you need troubleshooting help.

Other ways to setup Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 for Families

Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 for Families can also be configured on Linux PCs or, if you’re daring, network-wide via your wireless router, which will apply the content filters to all devices on the network.

Android devices running Android 9 or higher and iOS/iPadOS devices can also use Cloudflare’s basic DNS service. You’ll have to set up the DNS settings for each wireless network on both, but Android users should soon be able to enable this universally.


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