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Set custom DNS servers on MAC OS X

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Gs5knX-j0I]

Setting custom DNS servers on MAC OS X can improve network performance, increase security and even thwart some websites using Geo-blocking, and I’ll show you how to do it in this guide. It’s pretty easy too.

Before changing DNS servers you’ll need to find a third-party DNS provider, there are plenty of good (and free) services available too. I recommend Google DNS which is what I use and have never had an issue. I will list here the most popular DNS providers:

  • GOOGLE
  • Primary IPv4: 8.8.8.8
  • Secondary IPv4: 8.8.4.4
  • Preferred IPv6: 2001:4860:4860::8888
  • Alternate IPv6: 2001:4860:4860::8844
  • OPENDNS
  • Primary: 208.67.222.222
  • Secondary: 208.67.220.220
  • Preferred IPv6: 2620:0:ccc::2
  • Alternate IPv6: 2620:0:ccd::2
  • DNS.WATCH
  • Primary: 84.200.69.80
  • Secondary: 84.200.70.40
  • LEVEL3
  • Primary: 209.244.0.3
  • Secondary: 209.244.0.4
  • NORTON
  • Primary: 199.85.126.10
  • Secondary: 199.85.127.10
  • COMMODO
  • Primary: 8.26.56.26
  • Secondary: 8.20.247.20
  • VERISIGN
  • Primary: 64.6.64.6
  • Secondary: 64.6.65.6
  • MORE SERVERS…
  • See: Free and Public DNS Servers
  • See: Public DNS Server List (extensive)

Watch the video above or follow the text guide below.

Set custom DNS servers on MAC OS X

  1. Click System Preferences, then click NetworkSet Custom DNS - Click System Preferences, Network
  2. Select your connection ( wired or wireless) then click on Advanced… buttonSet Custom DNS - Select your connection, then click Advanced...
  3. Click the DNS tab, then click the plus icon + to add a DNS server, enter the Primary DNS server IP address, repeat and enter the Secondary DNS server IP address, then click OK to closeSet Custom DNS - Click DNS tab, then plus icon to add a DNS server IP address, repeat for secondary DNS
  4. Click Apply buttonSet Custom DNS - Click Apply
  5. Click on Launchpad, then click OtherSet Custom DNS - Click Launchpad, then Other
  6. Click on Terminal to open the Terminal appSet Custom DNS - Click Terminal
  7. Now type the following code in Terminal app:
    Set Custom DNS - Type in the code as shown
  8. If you here Siri say "Success" and you’re all done 😉
  9. Close the Terminal application

Connect VPN using OpenVPN on MAC OS X

[youtube=https://youtu.be/j2ZMLFMsq3c]

In this guide I will show you how to connect your Apple MAC to any VPN service that’s using the OpenVPN protocol. OpenVPN is a fast, stable and secure protocol and most VPN service providers will support it.

Before we start the connection setup process, you will need to find out the following details (best have them written or printed). If you are connecting to a paid VPN service, just login and your details and settings will be there. If you are connecting via a workplace, please contact your Network Administrator and ask them for the following details:

Required Info

  • Your VPN username
  • Your VPN password
  • The OpenVPN configuration files (.ovpn, .tblk, .conf) you may need to login to your VPN service provider to access these files which will usually be in a .zip folder

Once you have this info you can then watch the video above or follow the text guide below.

Connect via OpenVPN to VPN on MAC OS X

  1. Download Tunnelblick for MAC OS X (choose the stable version) https://tunnelblick.net/downloads.html
  2. Locate the downloaded .dmg file, then right-click and Open
  3. The installation window will now be open, double click on the Tunnelblick icon to install, choose to Open in the security alert.
  4. Tunnelblick will now be installed
  5. Download and unzip your VPN service providers OpenVPN (.ovpn, .tblk, .conf) configuration files
  6. Enter the unzipped folder and select all, then drag all the .ovpn/.tblk/.conf config files on to the Tunnelblick icon top-right of your screen
    Drag OVPN Configuration file to Tunnelblick icon
  7. To connect, click the Tunnelblick icon top-right of your screen, then choose Connect to [vpn_name], to disconnect, click the Tunnelblick icon again and choose Disconnect [vpn_name]
  8. Tunnelblick will tell you if the connection was successful, if it wasn’t, contact your VPN service provider or network admin
  9. All done!

Connect VPN using L2TP-IPSec on MAC OS X

[youtube=https://youtu.be/5LxmMGY_yW8]

In this guide I will show you how to connect your Apple MAC to any VPN service that’s using the L2TP/IPsec protocol. L2TP over IPsec is a relatively common and secure protocol and most VPN service providers and workplaces will support it.

Before we start the connection setup process, you will need to find out the following details (best have them written or printed). If you are connecting to a paid VPN service, just login and your details and settings will be there. If you are connecting via a workplace, please contact your Network Administrator and ask them for the following details:

Required Info

  • Your VPN username
  • Your VPN password
  • The server name or IP address (ie. contoso.com or 102.562.243.12)
  • The pre-shared key (PSK)
    (PSK will be a series of characters like a password)

Once you have this info you can then watch the video above or follow the text guide below.

Connect via L2TP/IPsec to VPN on MAC OS X

  1. Open System Preferences Apple MAC System Preferences from your menu bar
  2. Click on Network Settings Apple MAC Network Settings
  3. On the left pane, click on the plus + icon to add a new connection
  4. In the drop down box, for Interface choose VPN
  5. For VPN Type choose L2TP over IPSec
  6. For Service Name enter a descriptive name ie HomeVPN or WorkVPN
  7. Now click the Create button, then select the new connection in the left pane
  8. Leave the Configuration option to Default
  9. Enter the server name or IP address into the Server Address field
  10. For Account Name, enter your VPN username
  11. Now click the Authentication Settings button
  12. For User Authentication enter your VPN password
  13. For Shared Secret, enter your Pre Shared Key or PSK, then click OK
  14. Check the Show VPN status in menu bar checkbox
  15. Now click the Advanced… button, then make sure Options item is selected
  16. Check the Send all traffic over VPN connection check box, then click OK
  17. Finally click Apply then close the Network Settings window
  18. You can now connect/disconnect from your VPN connection via the icon in the menu bar (top-right) as shown below…

VPN Connection Status on menu bar MAC OS X

How to change your homepage

Changing your homepage is pretty easy, but keeping it there is difficult because a lot of software programs try to alter it, sometimes without your explicit permission (there is big money in homepages btw).

Today I will show you how to set your homepage in the most common browsers, with some offering multiple homepages and other nifty options, which I will guide you through too.

Choose your web browser…

  1. Google Chrome
  2. Chromium
  3. Firefox (WIN)
  4. Firefox (LINUX)
  5. Internet Explorer
  6. Internet Explorer (WIN8/8.1)
  7. Opera
  8. Safari (MAC)
  9. Safari (WIN)

Change homepage in Safari (MAC)

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hn3sEhPucAo]

In this short guide I will show you how to change your homepage in Apple Safari running on MAC, and it’s pretty easy too. Safari has a few other options I will go through in the video guide above so be sure to watch that too.

Watch the video above or follow the text guide below.

Change your homepage in Safari (MAC)

  1. Open Safari
  2. Visit the web page you want as your homepage
  3. Click on the Safari item from the top menu bar
  4. Click on the Preferences… menu item
  5. The Preferences window should now be open, click on the General icon
  6. Look for the Homepage: item, then click the Set to Current Page button
  7. You can also manually enter the URL into the text box
  8. Enter the URL in the following format: http://www.google.com/ replace google with your webpage address
  9. When you’ve finished, close the Preferences window and restart Safari to check your homepages
  10. You’re all done!