- Right-click the Start button and choose Run.
- Type
ncpa.cpl and click OK.
- Identify your network connection – either wireless (Wi-Fi), or
Ethernet if you use a cable – right-click it, and choose
Properties.
- Double-click Internet Protocol Version 4.
- Select Use the following DNS server addresses.
- In the box for Preferred DNS server, type the first IP
address of your chosen provider, such as
8.8.8.8 for
Google (for other popular DNS providers, see the list below).
- Optional: In the box for Alternative DNS server, type the
second IP address, such as
8.8.4.4 for Google.
- Click OK, then OK again.
- Click Apple menu > System Settings.
- On the left, click Network.
- Click the connection you’re using – most likely Wi-Fi, but possibly
Ethernet – it will show a green dot.
- Click Details.
- On the left, select DNS.
- Beneath the DNS Servers box, click the plus (+) button.
- Type the first IP address of your chosen provider, such as
8.8.8.8 for Google (for other popular DNS providers, see
the list below).
- Click elsewhere in the box to complete the entry.
- Optional: Click plus (+) again and type the second IP address, such
as
8.8.4.4 for Google.
- Click OK.
Popular DNS providers
Case study
Ostensibly for the safety of its customers, the Internet provider TalkTalk
blocks remote support services like LogMeIn and TeamViewer because they can
be used by scammers to take control of your computer, if you let them. But
this hampers legitimate users — including technicians like me, for whom
screen sharing is a great way to provide help sooner, reduce carbon
emissions, and help people further afield. I have a separate guide to
turning off this block for
your broadband connection.
Alternatively, because the block is implemented in something called the
Domain Name System (DNS), you can circumvent it by setting your computer to
use an alternative DNS provider as detailed above. This should have no
adverse affect on your service — in fact, many enthusiasts already prefer
alternative DNS over that of their broadband provider, for various reasons.
But you can revert the change in future if you need to.