The 1.1 1.3 DNS server is a specialized Cloudflare DNS service designed to provide ultra-fast IP address resolution, robust DNS filtering for malware/adult content, and enhanced privacy for users worldwide. Unlike traditional public DNS servers, it blocks harmful and inappropriate websites by default, making it a popular choice for families and organizations focused on online safety.
Operated in partnership with APNIC-LABS, this server is built on Cloudflare’s global network infrastructure, ensuring minimal network latency and maximum uptime. Whether you are looking to boost your internet speed, protect your devices from cyber threats, or set up a safer browsing environment for children, 1.1.1.3 delivers both performance and security. In this complete guide, we’ll explore how it works, its key benefits, how to configure it on different devices, and whether it’s the right DNS choice for you in 2025.
What is DNS and How Does It Work?
The Domain Name System is often described as the internet’s phonebook, but in reality, it’s more like an intelligent switchboard. When you type a domain name into your browser, the DNS lookup process begins. Your computer sends a DNS query to a recursive DNS server, which may be run by your ISP, a public DNS server like Cloudflare DNS, or another provider. This server first checks its DNS caching to see if it already knows the answer.
If not, it contacts a root name server, which then points to the appropriate Top-Level Domain (TLD) server, such as .com or .org. From there, the query is sent to the authoritative DNS server, which holds the actual DNS records (A, MX, CNAME) for the site you want to visit. The process is completed in milliseconds thanks to Anycast routing and optimized network infrastructure.
In the United States, where high-speed broadband is common, slow browsing often comes down to poor DNS configuration or high network latency. Using a high-quality DNS provider can dramatically reduce these delays. The right DNS also protects you from risks like DNS spoofing, cache poisoning, and DNS hijacking, all of which can redirect you to malicious sites without your knowledge. Secure options that use DNS over HTTPS (DoH) and DNS over TLS (DoT) prevent these attacks by encrypting your requests.
Introduction to Cloudflare and 1.1 1.3 dns server
Cloudflare is a U.S.-based leader in network infrastructure and network security. It operates a massive content delivery network (CDN) that speeds up websites while also shielding them from attacks like DDoS attack mitigation. One of its best-known services is Cloudflare DNS, which has earned a reputation for low latency measurement in milliseconds, high reliability, and strong privacy. This service is powered by a partnership with APNIC-LABS, an organization based in South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, known for APNIC Research and Development into internet infrastructure.
The 1.1.1.3 IP address is part of Cloudflare DNS’s family-safe DNS initiative. Unlike the original 1.1.1.1 service, which focuses purely on privacy and speed, 1.1.1.3 adds content filtering DNS to block malware, phishing, and adult sites automatically. This is especially appealing for U.S. households with children, schools, and libraries. Its filtering list is constantly updated using threat intelligence for DNS from security firms and partners such as Group-IB Attack Surface Management, which tracks and mitigates online threats.
What is 1.1.1.3 and How is it Different from Other DNS Servers?
The 1.1.1.3 DNS server is essentially a recursive resolver cache with built-in security and filtering capabilities. While many DNS servers—such as Google Public DNS (8.8.8.8), Quad9 (9.9.9.9), OpenDNS (Cisco), and AdGuard DNS (94.140.14.14)—offer security features, 1.1.1.3 distinguishes itself with a combination of speed, privacy, and content control. It uses DNSSEC security to ensure data integrity and supports encrypted communication via DoH and DoT.
For U.S. users, this means that when you type in a web address, your request travels to the nearest Cloudflare server thanks to Anycast routing. This reduces network latency and speeds up browsing. At the same time, the DNS checks its threat database to see if the site is known for hosting malware or adult material. If so, the connection is blocked instantly. This filtering is effective against DNS-based cyberattacks such as DNS hijacking or phishing protection DNS bypass attempts.
Location & Server Provider Details of 1.1.1.3
Cloudflare’s AS13335 / Cloudflare Research network has one of the largest Anycast routing deployments in the world, with servers strategically placed in major U.S. cities like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Dallas. These locations are chosen to ensure optimal IP geolocation accuracy and minimal latency measurement in milliseconds for American users. The redundancy of these data centers means that if one server goes offline, your DNS query is automatically routed to the next closest one without any noticeable delay.
This infrastructure is jointly managed with APNIC Research and Development, which contributes technical expertise and routing intelligence. The collaboration allows the network to not only serve end users quickly but also collect anonymized performance data to improve services. The reliability of this setup is reflected in the reliability score of 1.1 1.3 dns server, which is consistently near 99.99%.
Benefits of Using 1.1 1.3 dns server (Speed, Security & Parental Control)
The most obvious benefit of 1.1.1.3 is speed. In independent testing by services like DNSPerf speed test and DNS Benchmark tool, Cloudflare DNS often ranks among the fastest in the world. This is due to its recursive resolver cache, which allows repeated requests to be answered instantly without contacting the root name server or authoritative DNS server every time. Faster DNS resolution translates directly into shorter page load times.
Security is the second major advantage. 1.1.1.3 integrates malware filtering DNS and phishing protection DNS into its service. This reduces the risk of DNS-based cyberattacks and DNS misconfiguration risks that could otherwise compromise your devices. For families, the content filtering DNS feature acts as an always-on safeguard, blocking explicit content without the need for additional software. U.S. schools and libraries often use similar family-safe DNS (1.1.1.3) setups to meet internet safety regulations.
Reliability & Performance Testing of 1.1 1.3 dns server
Performance testing is where 1.1.1.3 truly stands out. Independent researchers, including those from APNIC-LABS and industry testers like DNSPerf speed test, have consistently ranked it among the top performers worldwide. U.S.-specific tests show average latency measurement in milliseconds as low as 12 ms in major metropolitan areas, a significant improvement over many ISP-provided DNS services that can average 25–35 ms.
This speed comes from Anycast routing, which ensures that your DNS query travels to the nearest server geographically and network-wise. Combined with a large recursive resolver cache, requests for popular domains rarely need to go beyond Cloudflare’s own infrastructure, which slashes response times. Reliability is equally impressive, with uptime measured at 99.99% in reliability score of DNS reports. Even during heavy internet traffic surges or attempted DDoS attack mitigation events, the network maintains consistent performance thanks to its globally distributed network infrastructure.
| DNS Provider | Average U.S. Latency(ms) | Filtering | Reliability |
| Cloudflare 1.1.1.3 | 12 | Malware + Adult Content | 99.99% |
| Google Public DNS (8.8.8.8) | 17 | None | 99.98% |
| Quad9 (9.9.9.9) | 20 | Malware + Adult Content | 99.95% |
| OpenDNS (Cisco) | 22 | Malware + Adult Content | 99.94% |
| AdGuard DNS (94.140.14.14) | 24 | Malware + Ads + Adult Content | 99.90% |
How to Check if Your DNS is Set to 1.1.1.3
To confirm whether your device or network is using 1.1.1.3 IP address, you can run an online check through services like Whois lookup tool, dnsleaktest.com, or DNS traffic monitoring utilities. These tools analyze your DNS query path and display the exact DNS provider handling your requests.
On desktop systems, you can view your DNS configuration by opening your network adapter properties. In Windows DNS setup, check the IPv4 properties for “Preferred DNS” and see if it lists 1.1.1.3. On macOS, navigate to System Preferences → Network → Advanced → DNS. On mobile devices, Android DNS setup and iPhone DNS setup options are available in Wi-Fi network details. For users who rely on a router for network-wide settings, inspecting your router DNS settings is the fastest way to confirm.
How to Change Your DNS to 1.1.1.3 on Any Device
Changing your DNS can be done in a few minutes and requires no special technical skills. For Windows DNS setup, open the Control Panel or Settings app, select Network and Sharing Center (or Network & Internet), and choose your active network connection. Click Properties, select “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4),” then set Preferred 1.1 1.3 dns server and Alternate DNS Server to 1.0.0.3. Save and restart your connection.
On macOS, open System Preferences, select Network, click Advanced, then navigate to the DNS tab. Remove existing entries and add 1.1.1.3 and 1.0.0.3. Click Apply to finalize. For router DNS settings, log into the router’s admin panel (address usually printed on the device), locate the DNS settings, and replace your ISP’s DNS addresses with Cloudflare’s. This ensures that every connected device, including smart TVs and game consoles, benefits from family-safe DNS (1.1.1.3) filtering.
Change DNS on Windows
Switching on Windows provides the benefit of per-device control. This means you can enable content filtering DNS on your own computer without affecting others in the household who might be on different DNS configurations. It also allows for quick DNS troubleshooting if you want to compare speeds using tools like DNS Benchmark tool.
Change DNS on Mac
The Mac process is equally straightforward and ensures that all applications, including browsers, email clients, and system services, route queries through the malware filtering DNS layer. This adds a second line of defense in addition to built-in macOS protections.
Change DNS on Router
Changing your DNS at the router level means the settings apply to every connected device. This approach is often favored by parents, schools, and libraries that want consistent DNS filtering for malware/adult content without configuring each device individually. It also centralizes DNS administrator contact if support or changes are needed.
Public DNS vs Private DNS – Which One to Choose?
The choice between a public DNS server and a private DNS server often comes down to priorities. Public DNS providers like Cloudflare DNS invest heavily in cybersecurity audit procedures, penetration testing for DNS, and VPN integration with DNS, which helps maintain strong privacy. They also offer transparent policies, audited by independent firms such as KPMG audit, which confirm no logging of personally identifiable information.
Private DNS, typically provided by your ISP, may integrate better with local services or regional content delivery. However, ISPs often log more user data and may not have as robust DNS hijacking protection or malware filtering DNS. For U.S. households and businesses seeking internet speed optimization and privacy, a public 1.1 1.3 dns server is usually the better option.
How Cloudflare Secure DNS Works Behind the Scenes
When you type a website into your browser, your DNS query is sent to 1.1.1.3. This triggers the DNS resolution steps, starting with a check of the recursive resolver cache. If the answer is not cached, the resolver contacts the appropriate root name server and TLD server before reaching the authoritative DNS server. This process is invisible to the user but essential for accurate IP address resolution.
Security is built into every stage. DNSSEC security ensures that the data you receive hasn’t been tampered with, while DNS over HTTPS (DoH) and DNS over TLS (DoT) encrypt the queries to prevent eavesdropping. Threats are identified using threat intelligence for DNS and services like Group-IB Attack Surface Management. Continuous monitoring detects patterns associated with DNS-based cyberattacks, including those linked to TeamTNT attacks, and blocks them before harm is done. In high-risk cases, dark web monitoring for DNS threats is employed to track stolen credentials or compromised domains.
FAQs
Is 1.1 1.3 DNS good?
Yes, the 1.1 1.3 DNS server is fast, secure, and offers built-in filtering for malware and adult content, making it great for families and privacy-conscious users.
What does 1.1 1.3 block?
It automatically blocks adult websites, phishing domains, and known malware sources to create a safer browsing experience.
What is the 9.9 9.9 DNS server?
The 9.9.9.9 DNS server, run by Quad9, focuses on security by blocking malicious domains using threat intelligence from multiple cybersecurity partners.
Is 1.1.1.1 or 8.8 8.8 faster?
Speed tests often show 1.1.1.1 slightly faster than Google Public DNS (8.8.8.8), but results can vary depending on your location and network.
Is 1.1.1.1 better for gaming?
Yes, 1.1.1.1 often provides lower latency, which can reduce lag and improve stability for online gaming sessions.
Conclusion
The family-safe 1.1 1.3 dns server offers an appealing mix of speed, privacy, and safety. For U.S. users, its low latency measurement in milliseconds, near-perfect reliability score of DNS, and robust malware filtering DNS make it a strong alternative to default ISP DNS settings. Whether you are a parent seeking content filtering DNS, a business protecting against DNS-based cyberattacks, or simply someone wanting internet speed optimization, 1.1 1.3 dns server delivers measurable benefits.
By switching your DNS configuration today—whether at the device or router DNS settings level—you can enjoy faster browsing, improved network security, and automatic protection from harmful content. In a time when online threats are growing, and privacy concerns are more serious than ever, choosing a trusted provider like Cloudflare backed by APNIC Research and Development is a step toward a safer and more reliable internet experience.
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