This tutorial will help you enable a security on Firefox web browser on your Ubuntu 24.04 "Noble Numbat" to prevent your web browsing from being eavesdropped or blocked or redirected by anyone else. This is called "DNS over HTTPS" or shortened "DoH". More importantly, you can also easily block adult websites so it will be safer for your children and family to use your Ubuntu computer. Now let's start it out!
1. Run Firefox
2. Click triple line button to the right > Settings
3. Find DNS
4. Found DNS over HTTPS Settings
5. Select "Increased Protection" option
6. Leave it unchanged or select one option among other options:
- Cloudflare
- Nextdns
- Custom
See picture below:
7. If you want a custom DoH provider other than Cloudflare or Nextdns above, select "Custom" option then fill in one of URLs below. Just copy and paste it! Remember that the ones with "Family" words are useful to block adult websites.
- Quad9: https://dns.quad9.net/dns-query
- OpenDNS Regular: https://doh.opendns.com
- OpenDNS Family: https://doh.familyshield.opendns.com
- Adguard Regular: https://dns.adguard.com/dns-query
- Adguard Family: https://dns-family.adguard.com/dns-query
8. Configuration finished.
If you found a problem such as failed to browse any website, you may need to quit Firefox and start it again. Now you can browse safely. Happy browsing with your family!
9. To disable DoH or going back to normal:
Go to DNS settings and select "Default Protection" and you will revert back to use your default DNS from your internet service provider (ISP).
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References
DNS Over HTTPS Explanation (Wikipedia)
Recommended DNS Services (Privacy Guides Community)
This article is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.