Windows

Windows lets you set the DNS server for your Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection.

Windows 11

Settings → Network & internet → Wi-Fi (or Ethernet) → your network → Hardware properties (or the network’s properties) → DNS server assignment → Edit → Manual → turn on IPv4 and enter as the Preferred DNS:

74.208.171.84

Save. Menu names vary slightly between Windows 11 versions.

Windows 10

Control Panel → Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Center → Change adapter settings → right-click your connection → Properties → Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) → Properties → “Use the following DNS server addresses” and enter the address above as the Preferred DNS server.

What this covers: only this device, and on most devices only while it is on this Wi-Fi network. Other devices in the house are not protected unless you set them up too (or put your own router behind the ISP’s — see using your own router). Someone who knows where the setting is can change it back, and a VPN or hotspot can bypass it.

Not yet confirmed: Some ISP gateways are reported to redirect DNS requests from your devices to their own servers, which would make a manually-entered DNS address do nothing. We haven’t confirmed that for every gateway. After setting it up, check that the device’s browsing appears in your home’s Activity tab; if it doesn’t, use a browser setting (see protect a browser) or your own router instead.

How to tell it’s working

The quick test: on the device you just set up, open example.com. On an unprotected device you see a plain page titled “Example Domain”. On a device protected by MizpahGuard you see our “It’s working” page instead — it is blocked on purpose, for every household, so you can tell at a glance. (Your browser may show a certificate warning first, as it does for any blocked site; continue past it.)

You can also open your home’s Activity tab in MizpahGuard and look for the device’s browsing within a minute. If the test page doesn’t appear, the device is still using another DNS server — recheck the steps, or contact support from your dashboard and tell us your device and internet provider.