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

Click System Preferences, then click Network
Select your connection ( wired or wireless) then click on Advanced… button
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 close
Click Apply button
Click on Launchpad, then click Other
Click on Terminal to open the Terminal app
Now type the following code in Terminal app:

sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder; say Success

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sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder; say Success
If you here Siri say "Success" and you’re all done 😉
Close the Terminal application

Set custom DNS servers on MAC OS X

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