7 Cybersecurity Tips NOBODY Tells You (but are EASY to do)

Your ISP (Internet Service Provider) logs every website you visit by tracking your Domain Name System (DNS) requests, even on secure HTTPS sites. By switching to and configuring an encrypted, filtering DNS service (like Cloudflare or NextDNS), you hide your lookup history and block malicious or unwanted domains.

How DNS Filtering Protects You

Instead of sending your requests in plain text to your ISP’s servers, an encrypted DNS resolver scrambles the text and blocks unwanted traffic (like ads, tracking pixels, or malware) before it loads on your devices.

Comparison of Methods

Method	Blocks ISP Tracking?	Blocks Ads & Trackers?	Encrypts DNS Requests?
Encrypted DNS (DoH/DoT)	Yes (hides the domain name)	No (requires a filtering provider)	Yes
DNS Filtering Service	Yes (hides and blocks domains)	Yes (blocks unwanted servers)	Yes
VPN	Yes (hides all traffic & IP)	Usually requires additional plugins	Yes

10 Examples of DNS Filtering Categories & Targets

DNS filtering allows you to block specific traffic to protect privacy and security. Common targets include:

Malware & Phishing: Blocks known malicious servers spreading viruses or stealing credentials.
Ad Networks: Prevents ad servers from loading and firing tracking pixels.
Adult Content: Family-safe filters restrict access to explicit websites.
Social Media: Helps with productivity by cutting off access to platforms like Instagram or X.
Gambling Sites: Blocks online betting networks.
Mobile Telemetry: Stops background app tracking and analytics beacons.
Smart TV Analytics: Prevents tracking of viewing habits (Automatic Content Recognition).
Cryptojacking: Blocks domains that use your device to mine cryptocurrency.
Botnet Callbacks: Stops compromised devices from communicating with hacker command centers.
Hidden Scripts: Filters out hidden data exfiltration attempts on unsecure sites.

Cybersecurity Threat Report Example

Network administrators often monitor blocked DNS traffic to secure their networks. Below is a sample report reflecting blocked data over a 24-hour period on a standard home or small business network:

Timestamp	Client IP	Requested Domain	Category Blocked	Action Taken
2026-06-13 14:15	`192.168.1.15`	`://samsungads.com`	Telemetry / Ad Tracker	Blocked
2026-06-13 16:30	`192.168.1.42`	`secure-login-update-support.xyz`	Phishing / Fraud	Blocked
2026-06-13 19:45	`192.168.1.10`	`adultsite-example.com`	Adult Content	Blocked
2026-06-13 22:10	`192.168.1.75`	`coinhive-miner.com`	Cryptojacking	Blocked

Further Exploration

For a deeper dive into the technical details and limitations of DNS privacy, check out these resources:

Learn how ISPs can still monitor destination IP addresses and metadata despite using encrypted DNS via the Reddit Privacy Thread.
Consult the Information Security Stack Exchange for an analysis on what ISPs see in logs when using public DNS resolvers.

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