PHDNS Servers (Valid November 2017)
Provider Primary DNS Server Secondary DNS Server
Level31
209.244.0.3
209.244.0.4
Verisign2
64.6.64.6
64.6.65.6
Google3
8.8.8.8
8.8.4.4
DNS.WATCH4
84.200.69.80
84.200.70.40
Comodo Secure DNS
8.26.56.26
8.20.247.20
OpenDNS Home5
208.67.222.222
208.67.220.220
Norton ConnectSafe6
199.85.126.10
199.85.127.10
GreenTeamDNS7
81.218.119.11
209.88.198.133
SafeDNS8
195.46.39.39
195.46.39.40
OpenNIC9
23.94.60.240
128.52.130.209
SmartViper
208.76.50.50
208.76.51.51
Dyn
216.146.35.35
216.146.36.36
FreeDNS10
37.235.1.174
37.235.1.177
Alternate DNS11
198.101.242.72
23.253.163.53
Yandex.DNS12
77.88.8.8
77.88.8.1
Ùn*énsørédDNS13
91.239.100.100
89.233.43.71
Hurricane Electric14
74.82.42.42
puntCAT15
109.69.8.51
Tip: Primary DNS servers are sometimes called preferred DNS servers and secondary DNS servers are sometimes called alternate DNS servers. Primary and secondary DNS servers can be "mixed and matched" to provide another layer of redundancy.
In general, DNS servers are referred to as all sorts of names, like DNS server addresses, internet DNS servers, internet servers, DNS IP addresses, etc.
Why Use Different DNS Servers?
One reason you might want to change the DNS servers assigned by your ISP is if you suspect there's a problem with the ones you're using now. An easy way to test for a DNS server issue is by typing a website's IP address into the browser. If you can reach the website with the IP address, but not the name, then the DNS server is likely having issues.
Another reason to change DNS servers is if you're looking for a better performing service. Many people complain that their ISP-maintained DNS servers are sluggish and contribute to a slower overall browsing experience.
Yet another, increasingly common reason to use DNS servers from a third party is to prevent logging of your web activity and to circumvent the blocking of certain websites.
Know, however, that not all DNS servers avoid traffic logging. If that's what you're after, make sure you read all the details about the server to know if that's the one you want to use.
Finally, in case there was any confusion, free DNS servers do not give you free internet access! You still need an ISP to connect to for access - DNS servers just translate IP addresses and domain names.
Verizon DNS Servers & Other ISP Specific DNS Servers
If, on the other hand, you want to use the DNS servers that your specific ISP, like Verizon, AT&T, Comcast/XFINITY, etc., has determined is best, then don't manually set DNS server addresses at all - just let them auto assign.
Verizon DNS servers are often listed elsewhere as 4.2.2.1, 4.2.2.2, 4.2.2.3, 4.2.2.4, and/or 4.2.2.5, but those are actually alternatives to the Level 3 DNS server addresses shown in the table above. Verizon, like most ISPs, prefers to balance their DNS server traffic via local, automatic assignments. For example, the primary Verizon DNS server in Atlanta, GA, is 68.238.120.12 and in Chicago, is 68.238.0.12.
Provider Primary DNS Server Secondary DNS Server
Level31
209.244.0.3
209.244.0.4
Verisign2
64.6.64.6
64.6.65.6
Google3
8.8.8.8
8.8.4.4
DNS.WATCH4
84.200.69.80
84.200.70.40
Comodo Secure DNS
8.26.56.26
8.20.247.20
OpenDNS Home5
208.67.222.222
208.67.220.220
Norton ConnectSafe6
199.85.126.10
199.85.127.10
GreenTeamDNS7
81.218.119.11
209.88.198.133
SafeDNS8
195.46.39.39
195.46.39.40
OpenNIC9
23.94.60.240
128.52.130.209
SmartViper
208.76.50.50
208.76.51.51
Dyn
216.146.35.35
216.146.36.36
FreeDNS10
37.235.1.174
37.235.1.177
Alternate DNS11
198.101.242.72
23.253.163.53
Yandex.DNS12
77.88.8.8
77.88.8.1
Ùn*énsørédDNS13
91.239.100.100
89.233.43.71
Hurricane Electric14
74.82.42.42
puntCAT15
109.69.8.51
Tip: Primary DNS servers are sometimes called preferred DNS servers and secondary DNS servers are sometimes called alternate DNS servers. Primary and secondary DNS servers can be "mixed and matched" to provide another layer of redundancy.
In general, DNS servers are referred to as all sorts of names, like DNS server addresses, internet DNS servers, internet servers, DNS IP addresses, etc.
Why Use Different DNS Servers?
One reason you might want to change the DNS servers assigned by your ISP is if you suspect there's a problem with the ones you're using now. An easy way to test for a DNS server issue is by typing a website's IP address into the browser. If you can reach the website with the IP address, but not the name, then the DNS server is likely having issues.
Another reason to change DNS servers is if you're looking for a better performing service. Many people complain that their ISP-maintained DNS servers are sluggish and contribute to a slower overall browsing experience.
Yet another, increasingly common reason to use DNS servers from a third party is to prevent logging of your web activity and to circumvent the blocking of certain websites.
Know, however, that not all DNS servers avoid traffic logging. If that's what you're after, make sure you read all the details about the server to know if that's the one you want to use.
Finally, in case there was any confusion, free DNS servers do not give you free internet access! You still need an ISP to connect to for access - DNS servers just translate IP addresses and domain names.
Verizon DNS Servers & Other ISP Specific DNS Servers
If, on the other hand, you want to use the DNS servers that your specific ISP, like Verizon, AT&T, Comcast/XFINITY, etc., has determined is best, then don't manually set DNS server addresses at all - just let them auto assign.
Verizon DNS servers are often listed elsewhere as 4.2.2.1, 4.2.2.2, 4.2.2.3, 4.2.2.4, and/or 4.2.2.5, but those are actually alternatives to the Level 3 DNS server addresses shown in the table above. Verizon, like most ISPs, prefers to balance their DNS server traffic via local, automatic assignments. For example, the primary Verizon DNS server in Atlanta, GA, is 68.238.120.12 and in Chicago, is 68.238.0.12.
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