Once you have selected your DNS server, you need to know its IPv4 address
so you can configure devices on your network to use it as the DNS source. Write this down
before continuing as we'll need it later.
Next, we have a choice depending on whether you can/want to change configuration settings
on your network's router. If you have administrator access (login username and password)
to your router, you can configure it to automatically make your preferred DNS server the
default for all connected devices. This is the simplest and easiest method of enabling DNS
Adblocking services for the whole network. Otherwise, each device must be individually
configured to use the preferred DNS server.
Both options will be covered in this guide, though the instructions for specific brands of
routers and individual devices may vary.
Router Configuration
1.) Getting The Router's IP Address
Open a terminal window. Type ip route show default. This
should show an output similar to the one below:
[ip route show default image]
The IP Address after default via should be the address of
your router.
Open a command prompt by pressing the "Windows" button in either the bottom middle
or bottom left of the screen and searching for cmd or
command prompt.
[cmd image]
Type ipconfig into the command prompt window. Depending on
how your computer accesses your network (wired vs wireless), you'll want to scroll
down until you see either Ethernet adapter or
Wireless LAN adapter populated with valid network information.
We want to take note of the Default Gateway. The Default
Gateway will most likely be the IP Address of the router on your network.
2.) Logging In to the Router
Typing http://[Default Gateway IP] into a web browser should
take you to your router's login page like so:
[router login image]
If you know the login credentials, log in now.
If you don't, there are three options:
If the login hasn't been changed, we can look it up online.
Find the brand and/or model number of the router by looking for a manufacturer
label on the top/side/bottom of the router. Search online for the default login
information for this model of router.
Sometimes this label will have the default login information on it.
If the login has been changed but you own the router, you can reset the router
Using the instructions above, find the brand and/or model number of your router
and search online for information about how to factory reset the router.
This will often involve using a paperclip to press and hold a "RESET" button on
the back of the router.
Do not factory reset a router that doesn't belong to you!
This will wipe all settings and require reconfiguration to properly use the
network again.
If the login has been changed and you don't own the router, you may need to
configure individual devices to use a different DNS server.
