Domain Name System (DNS)

The Domain Name System (DNS) is a global database that translates domain names (such as www.internetsociety.org) to Internet addresses that are used by computers to talk to each other. DNS also provides other information about domain names, such as mail services.

Mandated DNS Blocking: Critical Considerations
How the Internet Works 7 November 2025

Mandated DNS Blocking: Critical Considerations

Mandated DNS blocking is the wrong tool for public policy enforcement. The DNS exists to make the Internet usable,...

Policy Brief: Perspectives on Internet Content Blocking
Supporting a Secure and Trustworthy Internet 4 September 2025

Policy Brief: Perspectives on Internet Content Blocking

The Internet Society encourages policymakers to prioritize solutions that tackle harmful content at its source, rather than relying on...

DNS Security and Resilience
Online Tuesday 29 October 2024 – Tuesday 29 October 2024

DNS Security and Resilience

Hear from leading Internet governance experts as they tackle the most pressing security challenges of our time and engage...

Encrypted DNS Factsheet
Domain Name System (DNS) 4 May 2023

Encrypted DNS Factsheet

The domain name system (DNS) makes the Internet easier for humans to navigate as well as for services online...

Accelerating digital transformation with IPv6 migration offers Kenya huge potential
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Closing the Digital Divide 30 September 2022

Accelerating digital transformation with IPv6 migration offers Kenya huge potential

Accelerating digital transformation with IPv6 migration offers Kenya huge potential The Exchange

The internet’s ‘phonebook’ is flawed and outdated. It’s time for an upgrade
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Domain Name System (DNS) 6 September 2021

The internet’s ‘phonebook’ is flawed and outdated. It’s time for an upgrade

The internet’s ‘phonebook’ is flawed and outdated. It’s time for an upgrade Digital Trends – Fuentitech – Daily Hind...

Internet Society Joins Leading Internet Advocates to Call on ISPs to Commit to Basic User Privacy Protections
Internet Society Joins Leading Internet Advocates to Call on ISPs to Commit to Basic User Privacy Protections Thumbnail
10 March 2021

Internet Society Joins Leading Internet Advocates to Call on ISPs to Commit to Basic User Privacy Protections

Mozilla, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, and the Internet Society call on AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon to commit to limiting...

Open Letter: ISPs Must Commit to Basic User Privacy Protections
Open Letters 10 March 2021

Open Letter: ISPs Must Commit to Basic User Privacy Protections

Internet Advocates Call on ISPs to Commit to Basic User Privacy Protections
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Building Trust 10 March 2021

Internet Advocates Call on ISPs to Commit to Basic User Privacy Protections

Privacy purists prickle at T-Mobile US plan to proffer people’s personal web, app pursuits to ad promoters
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Building Trust 10 March 2021

Privacy purists prickle at T-Mobile US plan to proffer people’s personal web, app pursuits to ad promoters

Broadband Carriers Should Seek Permission Before Harnessing Web-Browsing Data For Ads, Groups Say
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Building Trust 10 March 2021

Broadband Carriers Should Seek Permission Before Harnessing Web-Browsing Data For Ads, Groups Say

DNS Privacy Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Improving Technical Security 15 March 2019

DNS Privacy Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

We previously posted about how the DNS does not inherently employ any mechanisms to provide confidentiality for DNS transactions,...