If you're not familiar with DNS, you might think it's yet another mysterious three letter acronym (TLA), or maybe it's the component that contains the genetic information of the Internet? Perhaps both.
Actually, DNS is short for Domain Name System, a service that translates domain names to the IP addresses used by computers and other networked devices. For example, a domain name like www.examiner.com translates to IP address 205.209.52.72.
A domain name's IP address is retrieved by a DNS service running on your network or ISP's network. To speed up IP address retrieval, results from previous DNS searches are temporarily stored in a local cache. DNS cache entries expire after a period of time (typically 24 hours) to ensure changes to a domain name's IP address are updated.
Third party DNS services like those from OpenDNS have been available for years. While ISPs typically provide basic DNS services, third party DNS providers offer premium services with large efficient caches and user dashboards for managing the service. Third-party services also pay more attention to security to prevent phishing and malware attacks.
Google's new service is a bit different. They claim their service is faster because they use strategically located servers with huge caches that are continually updated as DNS entries expire. And they will undoubtedly keep the DNS service secured from threats. But so do other third party service providers. Unlike other providers, though, Google doesn't allow users to filter and block domains. In fact, they say they do not perform blocking or filtering of any kind.
More importantly, how will Google use the data they collect from DNS retrievals? Despite assurances that they only retain anonymous data, Google certainly can't ignore the knowledge of which web sites their users visit. After all, DNS just could be one of the Internet's hidden treasures.
For more information on the "how and why" of DNS, see HowStuffWorks and Wikipedia. Information on DNS services, can be found at OpenDNS and Google Public DNS.
Disclaimer: The author uses producs and services and participates in sponsor affiliate programs from Google and OpenDNS.
By Harry Hiles, HBH Technology LLC — 6 Dec 2009
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