docs/FAQ.md

PrivacyGuard DNS - Frequently Asked Questions

Table of Contents

• General Questions
• Technical Questions
• Privacy Questions
• Troubleshooting

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General Questions

Q1: What is PrivacyGuard DNS?

PrivacyGuard DNS is a free DNS service that blocks advertisements, trackers, and malicious websites at the network level. Instead of using your ISP's DNS or Google's DNS, you use our servers which filter out unwanted content before it reaches your device.

Q2: Is PrivacyGuard DNS completely free?

Yes! PrivacyGuard DNS is 100% free with no hidden costs, no premium tiers, and no data limits. We believe everyone deserves a private and ad-free internet experience.

Q3: How does DNS ad blocking work?

When you visit a website, your computer asks a DNS server for the website's IP address. Our DNS service checks each request against our blocklist. If the domain is known for ads, tracking, or malware, we block the request. Otherwise, we forward it to the real DNS server.

Q4: What can PrivacyGuard block?

We block multiple categories:

• Advertisements: Banner ads, pop-ups, video ads, pre-roll ads
• Trackers: Analytics, fingerprinting, cross-site tracking
• Malware: Phishing sites, malicious downloads, botnets
• Adult Content: Adult websites and content (optional)

Q5: Which devices are supported?

Platform	Support	Notes
Windows 10/11	✅ Full	All versions
macOS	✅ Full	10.15+
Linux	✅ Full	Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian, etc.
Android	✅ Full	6.0+
iOS/iPadOS	✅ Full	12+
WiFi Routers	✅ Full	Most brands
Smart TVs	✅ Limited	Samsung, LG, Android TV
Gaming Consoles	✅ Limited	PS5/4, Xbox

Q6: How do I get started?

1. Choose your DNS addresses from our website
2. Configure your device or router
3. Clear your DNS cache
4. Enjoy ad-free browsing!

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Technical Questions

Q7: What DNS addresses should I use?

Standard Configuration:

Protocol	Address
Primary IPv4	94.140.14.14
Secondary IPv4	94.140.15.15
Primary IPv6	2a10:50c0::ad1:ff

Q8: Will DNS affect my internet speed?

On the contrary! PrivacyGuard DNS can improve your browsing speed by:

• Reducing page load time: No ads to download
• Smart caching: Frequently accessed domains are cached
• Optimized servers: Servers close to you for lower latency

Most users report faster page loads after switching.

Q9: Can I use PrivacyGuard DNS with a VPN?

Yes! You can use both together. There are two approaches:

Option 1: DNS on Router Configure DNS on your router, then use VPN normally

Option 2: VPN with DNS Some VPNs have their own DNS; disable it and use ours

Note: Some VPN services block custom DNS for security.

Q10: What is the difference between DNS blocking and browser extensions?

Aspect	DNS Blocking	Browser Extensions
Scope	All apps on device	Browser only
Performance	No device resource usage	Uses CPU/memory
Bypass resistance	Hard to bypass	Easy to disable
Setup	Per device/router	Per browser
Updates	Automatic	Manual

Q11: What is DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH)?

DoH encrypts your DNS queries using HTTPS, preventing anyone from seeing which websites you visit. It's more private than regular DNS.

To enable DoH:

Browser	Setting Location
Chrome	Settings → Privacy → Use Secure DNS
Firefox	Settings → Network Settings → Enable DNS over HTTPS
Edge	Settings → Privacy → Use Secure DNS

Q12: What is DNSSEC?

DNSSEC adds digital signatures to DNS responses, ensuring you receive authentic data and not fake responses from attackers.

PrivacyGuard DNS has DNSSEC enabled by default.

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Privacy Questions

Q13: Do you log my browsing history?

No! We have a strict no-logs policy:

• We don't record which websites you visit
• We don't store your IP address
• We don't track your activity
• We don't sell your data

Q14: How do you make money if it's free?

Our service is supported by:

• Donations: User contributions
• Grants: Privacy-focused organizations
• Enterprise Services: Paid services for businesses

Your privacy is never compromised for revenue.

Q15: Is my data shared with third parties?

Absolutely not. We never share, sell, or rent any user data to third parties. Our business model doesn't depend on selling data.

Q16: Where are your servers located?

Our servers are distributed globally:

• Europe: Germany, Netherlands, UK
• North America: US East, US West
• Asia: Singapore, Japan

We automatically connect you to the nearest server for best performance.

Q17: Can I use this for parental controls?

Yes! You can enable family protection to:

• Block adult content
• Filter inappropriate websites
• Protect children online

Configure this in your account settings.

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Troubleshooting

Q18: Some websites aren't loading properly

This usually happens when a website uses the same domain for ads and content.

Solution:

1. Add the domain to your exception list
2. Or configure per-website exceptions in your account

Q19: Configuration not taking effect

Steps to fix:

1. Clear DNS cache:

   # Windows
   ipconfig /flushdns
   
   # macOS
   sudo dscacheutil -flushcache
   
   # Linux
   sudo systemd-resolve --flush-caches
   

2. Restart your browser

3. Restart your device

4. Verify configuration:

   nslookup google.com
   # Should show our IP addresses
   

Q20: Speed is slower than before

Possible causes:

• Network congestion
• ISP throttling
• Server issues

Solutions:

1. Try a different DNS server
2. Check your internet connection
3. Use DoH for better routing
4. Contact support if issue persists

Q21: I'm seeing ads still

Checklist:

1. ✅ DNS is properly configured
2. ✅ DNS cache is cleared
3. ✅ Browser cache is cleared
4. ✅ Browser extensions aren't interfering
5. ✅ Website isn't on your exception list

Q22: How do I report a problem?

Options:

1. Email: support@privacyguard.dns
2. GitHub Issues: [Link to issues]
3. Community Forum: [Link to forum]

Include in your report:

• Device and OS version
• Browser (if applicable)
• Screenshot of the issue
• Steps to reproduce

Q23: Can I create custom blocklists?

Yes! Premium users can:

• Create custom blocklists
• Add specific domains
• Import blocklists from other sources
• Schedule automatic updates

Q24: How do I switch back to my old DNS?

To revert to default DNS:

1. Windows: Set DNS to "Obtain automatically"
2. macOS: Remove our DNS servers
3. Router: Set DNS to "Get automatically from ISP"
4. Mobile: Reset network settings

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Still Have Questions?

Contact Us

• Email: support@privacyguard.dns
• Documentation: docs.privacyguard.dns
• GitHub: github.com/privacyguard/dns

Community

• Forum: community.privacyguard.dns
• Twitter: @PrivacyGuardDNS
• Discord: discord.gg/privacyguard

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Quick Reference

DNS Addresses

IPv4:  94.140.14.14 / 94.140.15.15
IPv6:  2a10:50c0::ad1:ff
DoH:   https://dns.nextdns.io
DoT:   dns.nextdns.io

Support Email

support@privacyguard.dns

Documentation

docs.privacyguard.dns