Connection problems may be caused by a virus or antivirus
If you are unable to connect to the internet or access certain websites, you might be affected by malware that changes the DNS settings on your computer. Even if your antivirus software reports that your computer is clean, you could still be impacted. In July 2012, there was a major threat from a bug called DNS Changer that spread globally. The Australian government even set up a website, now no longer functional, to check for that specific bug.
A similar problem can occur on a mobile phone. Often, the issue is caused by an antivirus app or a rogue VPN. People install an antivirus which includes VPN, but forget to uninstall it later, resulting in altered network connection settings from an app that no longer functions properly.
How to test DNS
To check your computer or mobile phone for DNS issues, visit dnsleaktest.com or other by searching DNS leak test. The reported DNS servers should correspond to your provider or public DNS servers set up by your IT, such as Google DNS or OpenDNS.
If your DNS servers do not belong to the expected company, there could be a few reasons beyond your device, such as issues with the WiFi router, your ISP, or the particular website being down.
What is DNS
DNS servers translate human-readable web addresses into IP addresses, which are numerical. In this sense, the DNS server acts like a mail-sorting post office. DNS servers can track the websites you visit, making them a tempting target for malicious actors to gather data or redirect you to websites of their choosing. Usually, DNS is managed by your ISP at home, or by the IT department in an organization.
Easy reset DNS
by resetting the network in Windows 10 and Windows 11, follow these steps:
In Windows 10, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Status, then scroll down and select Network reset. Click Reset now to restore all network settings, including DNS, to their default configurations.
In Windows 11, open Settings > Network & Internet, scroll down to Advanced network settings, and under More settings, choose Network reset. Click Reset now to reset all network adapters and DNS settings.
To reset network settings on an iPhone, go to Settings > General > Reset (or Transfer or Reset iPhone) and select Reset Network Settings. Confirm your choice and enter your passcode if needed. This will reset all Wi-Fi, cellular, and VPN settings without deleting any personal data, helping to resolve connectivity issues.
On Android, open Settings > System (or General management) > Reset > Reset network settings, and confirm the reset. This will restore default settings for Wi-Fi, mobile data, and Bluetooth without affecting your personal data, making it an effective solution for network-related problems.
A system restart is recommended for all changes to take full effect, but not always necessary.
If resetting did not fix the issue, contact IT support, such as us, for further assistance.
2012 - 2024