Sorry if this is a dumb question, but how important is using one of the encrypted DNS services from the megathread? I've just been using Google's DNS servers directly on my router, and have yet to have any issues. Have I just been lucky?
Also, 🫡 to dbzer0 for migrating the community to Lemmy!
DNS doesn't really matter for piracy, but it can help improve privacy and security.
DNS over TLS will ensure all your dns requests are encrypted, and most clients actually validate the certificate so attempts to hijack the connection are not easily possible.
Firefox can bypass your systems DNS and use DoH. I think windows also supports DoT.
For Linux, systemd networkd and resolved also support DoT.
Keep in mind that some software does not obey system dns settings and can do their own DNS.
I've been entering the primary and secondary DNS addressed in my router settings, so it applies to the whole network. I suppose that won't work for DNS over TLS, DoH, or DoT, then? Unfortunately, my router doesn't support flashing dd-wrt, so I'm stuck with Netgear's firmware.
It only applies to network devices that respect the setting. However, if you are using windows, for machines you care about, you can just configure DoT.
Android also supports DoT, as does firefox as I mentioned above. For any given device you can search for "android DNS over TLS" and get info to see if it can be easily turned on.
However, also keep in mind if you are using Windows, then using DoT is like putting a bandaid on a gushing wound. The underlying OS is not trustworthy.