9mo ago

[ANSWERED] Back on Linux - It's Always DNS

Hello friends!

I made the switch from Windows back to Linux over the weekend, and so far almost everything is going swimmingly. Distro of choice is LMDE, and Steam and Proton are running like a dream.

I am having one minor issue which I've resolved in an unsatisfactory manner. Online games keep disconnecting frequently on loading new areas. This is occurring most noticeably on Guild Wars 2, Last Epoch, and Path of Exile.

I've resolved the issue by switching my DNS from my ISP default to Google's 8.8.4.4 and 8.8.8.8 service. No issues since the change.

So, this is not ideal since I'd like to break away from Google services for improved privacy. Are there any ethical DNS providers I can point to for reliable gaming, or are there any alternative solutions I should look into?

23 comments

Quad9 if you just want to set it and forget about it.
NextDNS is you don't mind doing some tinkering.
- Quad9 seems perfect for me! I'll give it a shot.
  Thank you!

Quad9 is a non-logger.
9.9.9.9 (duh)
- Whether the DNS service logs or not doesn't really matter that much since your ISP can still log all your DNS requests and create an advertising profile based on them. DNS is both unencrypted and unauthenticated by default, so not only can your ISP see the requests, but they can also modify the responses.
  If you want privacy, you really need to use DNS-over-HTTPS or DNS-over-TCP. The easiest way to do that is run AdGuard Home. It runs well on a Raspberry Pi or similar single-board computer. Your devices will still use regular DNS to the AdGuard Home server, but by default it uses DoH for its outbound requests.
  
  Another solution is to use something like wireguard tunnel, where all your traffic is routed through the tunnel.
  This also hides your DNS requests from anyone whose not allowed to and hasn't access to your private key/wg0 configuration.
- This is new to me but looks interesting. It looks like their transparency report hasn’t been updated since Q1 2023, though, where it previously shows updates for every year. Is that a concern?
  
  I personally wouldn't be concerned at all. They have a good track record.
- Fix: 2620:fe::fe

I use 1.1.1.1 . it is cloudflare. But they are 3rd party audited that they don't log anything.
- Thanks. That's good to know. Cloudflare will be the next one I try if Quad9 gives me any problems.
  
  You can use both. I'm curious why it was an issue for games though.

Mullvad provides DNS servers: https://mullvad.net/en/help/dns-over-https-and-dns-over-tls
As for a fallback option, I'd go with cloudflare's 1.1.1.1 over google's offerings: https://www.cloudflare.com/learning/dns/what-is-1.1.1.1/
- Does Mullvad allow public use of that or is it for Mullvad customers only ?
  
  From their website:
  You can use this privacy-enhancing service even if you are not a Mullvad customer.

People mentioned Quad9, Cloudflare, Mullvad, and NextDNS already. Controld.com is also available for free with different levels of blocking. They also support DoH and DoT.

I also use Mullvad's. I didn't know they allowed non customers to use it but that's cool that they do. I have no complaints; it works well for me.

I use controld.com's tracker blocking free dns which kills ads, trackers, and malware. It works really well.

Mullvad has DNS options that even block out some ads and trackers: https://mullvad.net/en/help/dns-over-https-and-dns-over-tls

https://dns.watch

Have fun https://www.lifewire.com/free-and-public-dns-servers-2626062
I also play Last Epoch. Spriggan Form ftw!
- I just started and I'm having fun with it so far! Playing a mage and just unlocked my first specialization. Went with the one that gives meteor.
  I think I soft-locked my save while I was having disconnect issues. I can't leave the area anymore at all. Contemplating starting over. I'm not too far in yet. GW2 and PoE are running fine now, but LE is crashing every time I try to exit the end of time zone without fail.

Were you using your isps dns servers prior to changing to google?

23 comments