An open DNS recursive service for free security and high privacy
Quad9 is a free service that replaces your default ISP or enterprise Domain Name Server (DNS) configuration. When your computer performs any Internet transaction that uses the DNS (and most transactions do), Quad9 blocks lookups of malicious host names from an up-to-the-minute list of threats. This blocking action protects your computer, mobile device, or IoT systems against a wide range of threats such as malware, phishing, spyware, and botnets, and it can improve performance in addition to guaranteeing privacy. The Quad9 DNS service is operated by the Swiss-based Quad9 Foundation, whose mission is to provide a safer and more robust Internet for everyone.
670M+
Average Daily Blocks
230+
Resolver Clusters in over 110 countries
25+
Threat Intelligence Providers
Privacy
How Quad9 protects your privacy
When your devices use Quad9 normally, no data containing your IP address is ever logged in any Quad9 system. Connections can employ encryption if your system supports it, and the entire Quad9 platform has been designed to be GDPR-compliant from the first public announcement in 2017.
Read more about Quad9’s privacy
Why Quad9 is dedicated to data privacy
Every transaction on the Internet starts with a DNS event. This name lookup reveals critically sensitive data about the person triggering that transaction. The nature of those name lookups has created a strong and dangerous motivation for commercialization of personal data from DNS recursive resolver services. Quad9 is the only large DNS resolver with a founding charter that includes privacy as a primary goal, and the Quad9 team is devoted to the concept of keeping personal data under the control of the end user.
The privacy and security of Internet users depend on the availability of private and secure services, critically including Domain Name System resolvers. Digitale Gesellschaft operates one such DNS resolver for Switzerland, and we welcome Quad9 and its established global reach to Switzerland.
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) of Switzerland supports the idea of conducting Quad9’s activities in a non-profit organisation (NPO) in Switzerland. As a neutral location, Switzerland is the premier site for such activities. Together, as a Public Private Partnership (PPP), we can make the internet safer and position Switzerland as a trustworthy location.
With its transparent privacy policy, board of directors of multiple stakeholders, and strong presence on six continents, Quad9 sets an example for public domain name services for the benefit of the common good. I am proud to be on the governing board of the Quad9 project during its important transition to European governance. This marks an important milestone for global privacy, with the protection of Swiss law and oversight now available to DNS users around the world.
Privacy matters, but is increasingly endangered. We’re happy to have another major internet infrastructure provider joining the European tech ecosystem, illustrating again that privacy is the future for European tech.
End users have made it clear to industry that privacy should be a central focus for Internet platforms and infrastructure. This demand-side dynamic cannot be fulfilled with the promises of encryption technology alone, however. Quad9 understands the need to compliment complement their its secure and privacy-preserving protocols with policies and practices that protect users too. Based in Europe, Quad9’s DNS service now leverages a strong regulatory environment in the public interest.
Quad9 provides an invaluable service keeping internet users secure. Their continued development as an international non-profit, domiciled in a place with strong privacy laws, will ensure that this mission continues to be successful.
As the CEO of Alta Associates, the leading executive search firm in Cybersecurity, and Founder of the Executive Women’s Forum on Information Security, Risk Management & Privacy, I have a unique understanding of the challenges cybersecurity leaders face. Quad9 provides these leaders with an actionable way to protect their systems against threats while preserving their end-users privacy.
Quad9’s move to Switzerland is a welcome improvement in the world of public resolvers. This change of domicile makes Quad9’s commitment to privacy clear: their policies are now bound by the strength of Swiss law. We welcome you to your new home in Europe, Quad9!
Swiss regulators and leading companies have joined forces in the Swiss Internet Security Alliance, SISA, to make the internet a safe place. We are glad that there are nonprofit organizations like Quad9 that offer Internet users better protection against phishing and malware with a few simple steps, free of charge. Welcome to Switzerland, Quad9!
Digital leaders in Switzerland are reviewing IT strategies to ensure best practices across their digital transformation journeys. Companies like Quad9 are providing key solutions in this area, supporting everyday web traffic, fundamental to the internet puzzle. We are delighted to host this important service at Equinix.
As a European DNS vendor, we welcome Quad9’s decision to relocate to Switzerland, providing a much needed GDPR-guaranteed public resolver. This proves that strong privacy laws actually attract business.
I’m really impressed by the privacy architecture of Quad9. In addition to providing great security as a DNS resolver, Quad9 doesn’t collect or retain personal data. Now, it is relocating to Switzerland, where it will become subject to the rigors of Swiss data protection law, which is similar to GDPR. In addition, it obtained findings of law from the Swiss government whereby it won’t be required to retain personal information, nor will it be subject to requests from law enforcement or national security
This step by Quad9 is a good example of what may need to be done to increase confidence in the Internet globally. It also demonstrates the importance of all stakeholders playing their respective roles - technical community providing a robust technical solution, private sector enabling and supporting the model, and robust government regulation providing a trust-guarantee. A welcome addition to the Internet infrastructure
Quad9’s organizational move to Switzerland is important for the free and open internet because it provides much-needed geographic and legal diversity in the open DNS resolver space. It also shows that Quad9 is actively seeking to work within the legislative framework that best serves the privacy of its users.
I support the Quad9 open resolver because it puts the end user first and helps build a secure and private internet without collecting – and therefore without the possibility of commercializing – users’ personal information. I believe Quad9’s philosophy of openness and transparency in handling users’ data resonates strongly with the core beliefs of our community.
Security
How Quad9 blocks malware
Quad9 routes your DNS queries through a secure network of servers around the globe. The system uses threat intelligence from more than a dozen of the industry’s leading cybersecurity companies to give a real-time perspective on what websites are safe and what sites are known to include malware or other threats. If the system detects that the site you want to reach is known to be infected, you’ll automatically be blocked from entry – keeping your data and computer safe.
Why Quad9 provides security services
For the Internet to be an effective tool, users must trust their ability to use online services without fear of theft, fraud, or misuse of their devices by criminals. Public and private network operators need protection against malicious use of infrastructure resources and attacks against their users or customers. Quad9’s mission is to improve the security and stability of the Internet to allow everyone to be less vulnerable to risks and more effective in their daily online interactions.
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Participate
How to use Quad9
Quad9 can be used simply by setting the DNS server settings for your device to the addresses given in one of our service profiles. No sign-up is required, no account data needs to be given to Quad9, and there is no contract. Quad9 is free to use and collects no personal data about you. You can configure your router or wifi access point to distribute these settings, which will extend protection to all the elements on your local network including IoT devices, many of which otherwise would not have any anti-malware defenses.
Why participate?
Quad9 is a not-for-profit organization, relying on grants and partnerships with commercial and non-commercial sources and from individuals. Your use of Quad9 may prevent a ransomware attack, prevent your bank account from being compromised, or protect your laptop from being used as part of an illicit criminal attack on others. All of these potential protections and many millions of other interventions have a direct savings result for you, your business or organization, and the companies you rely on such as banks and e-commerce firms. We hope that this understanding may inspire you to donate to Quad9, as an individual or with a corporate sponsorship.