Domain Name Resolution (DNS for short) plays a vital role in how the modern Internet works . When you type a domain name into your browser, a DNS resolver is responsible for translating that user-friendly name into an IP address , allowing your browser to determine where that website actually is on the Internet. While it may sound a bit technical, the benefits of using a good DNS resolver service can be felt as you browse the Internet.
That's why a simple DNS trick can speed up your internet. You can use the internet as usual without any complicated setup, and that's fine for most people. But instead of relying on your ISP's DNS, you should change things up a bit and try ReThink DNS. This Android app will give your network a near-instant upgrade with minimal effort.
What is ReThink DNS?
Tiny DNS App That Will Surprise You
ReThink DNS is a free, open-source, encrypted, private DNS resolver that looks up the IP address of a domain name. Think of it as the phone book of the Internet. Unlike your ISP, ReThink DNS gives you complete control over your network. It supports custom rules and blacklists and comes with over 190 pre-defined blacklists for you.
With this feature, you can choose the content you want to block, including ads, common Internet trackers, spyware, and even Internet threats. The app has DNS servers in more than 300 locations worldwide to ensure fast domain name resolution, so pages load faster when browsing the Internet.
For reference, using a DNS with more servers closer to you can help speed up your internet connection. So, simply changing your DNS can help resolve network issues if your internet speed is slower than normal or what you are paying for.
What does ReThink DNS actually do?
ReThink DNS integrates a lot of features
By default, the app is set to use ReThink's own DNS, but it allows you to choose other options, such as DNS over HTTPS and DNS over TLS. However, by using the app's default DNS, you'll get a lot of features. For example, it automatically blocks phishing, malvertising, malware, spyware, ransomware, cryptocurrency mining, and other threats.
You can also choose from other options like RDNS Social Media, which blocks popular social media platforms (like Facebook , WhatsApp , and Instagram ), and there's also RDNS Plus, which is configurable and lets you choose what content you want to block, including ads and pirated sites. ReThink DNS may seem like another app on the list of encrypted DNS resolvers available, but it's not.
Unlike most DNS services that focus primarily on privacy, fast domain resolution, or both, ReThink DNS goes a step further by offering a range of additional features. One of its handy features is its built-in firewall. Since it runs system-wide on Android phones, you can use ReThink DNS to monitor and control internet access for apps installed on your device.
Using the firewall feature, you can even block certain apps from accessing the internet on your device without any complicated settings. ReThink DNS provides you with a simple interface from which you can disable certain apps from accessing the internet over mobile data, Wi-Fi, or both.
It also has universal firewall rules that allow you to apply certain filters based on device events - for example, block unused apps, block when DNS is bypassed, block newly installed apps by default, block on mobile data, block insecure HTTP traffic, etc. You can use the app in 3 modes: DNS and Firewall, Firewall and DNS only.
Another handy feature that comes built in is VPN support. While it doesn't have VPN functionality built in, it does allow you to configure and use any VPN that supports the free and open-source WireGuard protocol, such as ProtonVPN , Mullvad, NordVPN , CyberGhost, and Surfshark .
Why is ReThink's DNS app a major networking upgrade?
This is not your typical DNS resolver application.
Most DNS resolvers generally promise faster lookups and increased privacy. Some include built-in filters to block certain types of threats, such as Control D. However, no DNS resolver beats ReThink DNS, especially in terms of customization and built-in features. In ReThink, you can customize what you want to block system-wide.
While you can add custom domains to block, the app has a list of popular domains in various categories, so you don't have to create your own. Additionally, it provides you with an interface to monitor your network. If you enable monitoring, the app will record all network activity and generate automatic reports to highlight any suspicious activity.
Another plus is that the app supports VPN connections , ensuring you don't miss out on traffic encryption just because you switch to a different DNS service.