When asked about privacy, most netizens would agree that it’s an important part of their browsing experience. Yet very few of them are aware of just how exposed we are when using the internet. For example, both hackers and your ISP can easily identify any website you visit by looking at your DNS history, because by default this has zero protection. Fortunately Google has decided to step in and is in the finishing stage of testing a new feature for Android called DNS over TLS that will add an extra layer of security to your browser sessions. But before going in-depth, let’s clear up some acronyms.
DNS (Domain Name Server) is responsible for ‘translating’ the domain address between the user and the computer by turning it into a stream of numbers. Think about your browsing session as getting into a cab with a foreign driver; when you state your target, DNS (sitting at the back seat) translates the command into an IP address. The problem is that the cab’s windows are pulled down and anyone standing nearby can hear the conversation and learn about your destination. This is because all DNS requests happen in an unencrypted plain text format, allowing both hackers and your ISP to gain easy access to your browsing history.
Google decided to even the odds by adding a new feature called DNS over TLS (Transport Layer Security). While it might sound like a trippy tale for informatics, this feature adds a much needed encryption to the DNS inquiry process. By masking the virtual destination, those who might be watching will only see you get into the cab and drive away, but the address will remain unknown to them. The DNS over TLS feature is expected to appear in Android 8.1. As for Apple users, they should download a DNS protection service in order to secure their privacy.
The feature sounds solid in theory, but you should keep in mind that it won’t negate privacy breaches completely. For starters, the DNS service still knows about the websites you visit. Additionally, there are other methods for getting a glimpse into your browsing history. For example, the Server Name Indication – which is responsible for maintaining a connection with websites – can be a potential backdoor for persistent snoopers. For full protection, privacy experts recommend using a VPN service. Since it encrypts all traffic, you don’t need to worry about individual bits being leaked.
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