What Is Verisign Public DNS
Verisign Public DNS is a free DNS resolution service provided by Verisign, the company that operates the authoritative root zone for .com and .net domains as well as two of the world's 13 DNS root servers. Launched in 2015, the service uses the IP addresses 64.6.64.6 and 64.6.65.6 and offers DNS resolution with strong privacy protections.
Verisign is uniquely positioned in the DNS ecosystem. As the operator of the .com and .net registries, Verisign manages the authoritative DNS infrastructure for over 150 million domain names. The Public DNS service leverages this infrastructure expertise to provide reliable DNS resolution with direct access to the root zone and TLD servers that Verisign operates.
The service does not include content filtering, malware blocking, or parental controls. It is a pure DNS resolver designed for speed, reliability, and privacy. Verisign's privacy policy states that the company does not sell user data and does not use DNS queries for advertising purposes.
Features and Privacy
Verisign Public DNS provides standard DNS resolution with DNSSEC validation. The service supports IPv4 and IPv6 queries. Verisign states that it does not log users' source IP addresses associated with DNS queries, making it one of several no-log public DNS resolvers available.
The service does not currently offer DNS-over-HTTPS or DNS-over-TLS endpoints, which is a limitation for users who want encrypted DNS queries. Verisign has indicated that encrypted DNS support may be added in future updates. For now, all queries to 64.6.64.6 and 64.6.65.6 use standard unencrypted DNS on port 53.
Server Addresses
Primary DNS: 64.6.64.6. Secondary DNS: 64.6.65.6. Both addresses provide the same resolution service with the same privacy protections. There are no special addresses for filtering or security variants.
Setup Guide
Configuration is standard. On Windows, go to Network & Internet settings, select your connection, and enter 64.6.64.6 as Preferred DNS and 64.6.65.6 as Alternate DNS. On macOS, navigate to System Settings, Network, and add the addresses under the DNS tab. On Android, configure under Wi-Fi network settings. On iOS, configure under Wi-Fi settings. For routers, enter the addresses under WAN or Internet DNS settings.
Comparison with Other Resolvers
Verisign Public DNS is less well-known than Cloudflare or Google DNS, but its reliability is excellent because Verisign operates core internet infrastructure. Performance is competitive in North America where Verisign's infrastructure is concentrated. In other regions, Cloudflare and Google offer faster response times due to larger anycast networks. The lack of encrypted DNS support is a notable gap compared to modern public resolvers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Verisign Public DNS?
A free public DNS service from Verisign, the company that operates .com and .net domain infrastructure. Server addresses: 64.6.64.6 and 64.6.65.6.
Is Verisign Public DNS free?
Yes. The service is completely free with no usage caps or registration required.
Does Verisign DNS log queries?
No. Verisign states it does not log source IP addresses associated with DNS queries.
Does Verisign DNS support DNS-over-HTTPS?
No. Verisign Public DNS currently only supports standard unencrypted DNS on port 53.
Is Verisign DNS faster than Cloudflare?
In most locations outside North America, Cloudflare is faster. Inside North America, Verisign is competitive.
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