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Revamp the Overview article
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anastasiia-fedotova authored Dec 1, 2023
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Expand Up @@ -13,21 +13,21 @@ Quick link: [Try AdGuard DNS](https://agrd.io/download-dns)

![Private AdGuard DNS dashboard main](https://cdn.adtidy.org/public/Adguard/Blog/private_adguard_dns/main.png)

## What is Private AdGuard DNS?
## General

<iframe width="560" height="315" class="youtube-video" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/ME3_Ms9LO8M" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

In addition to the benefits of a public DNS server (such as traffic encryption and domain blocklists), Private AdGuard DNS provides features like flexible customization, DNS statistics, and parental control, and is easily managed through a handy dashboard.
Private AdGuard DNS offers all the advantages of a public AdGuard DNS server, including traffic encryption and domain blocklists. It also offers additional features such as flexible customization, DNS statistics, and Parental control. All these options are easily accessible and managed via a user-friendly dashboard.

## Why you need Private AdGuard DNS
### Why you need private AdGuard DNS

Today, you can connect anything to the Internet: TVs, refrigerators, smart bulbs, or speakers. But along with the undeniable conveniences you get trackers and ads. A simple browser-based ad blocker will not protect you in this case, but AdGuard DNS, which you can set up to filter traffic, block content and trackers, has a system-wide effect.

We already have [public AdGuard DNS](../public-dns/overview.md) and [AdGuard Home](https://github.com/AdguardTeam/AdGuardHome). These solutions work fine for some users, but for others, the public AdGuard DNS lacks the flexibility of configuration, while the AdGuard Home lacks simplicity. That's where private AdGuard DNS comes into play. It has the best of both worlds: it offers customizability, control and information - all through a simple easy-to-use dashboard.
At one time, the AdGuard product line included only [public AdGuard DNS](../public-dns/overview.md) and [AdGuard Home](https://github.com/AdguardTeam/AdGuardHome). These solutions work fine for some users, but for others, the public AdGuard DNS lacks the flexibility of configuration, while the AdGuard Home lacks simplicity. That's where private AdGuard DNS comes into play. It has the best of both worlds: it offers customizability, control and information - all through a simple easy-to-use dashboard.

## The difference between Private and Public AdGuard DNS
### The difference between public and private AdGuard DNS

Here is a simple comparison of features available in Public AdGuard DNS and Private AdGuard DNS servers.
Here is a simple comparison of features available in public and private AdGuard DNS.

| Public AdGuard DNS | Private AdGuard DNS |
| ----------- | ----------- |
Expand All @@ -38,10 +38,12 @@ Here is a simple comparison of features available in Public AdGuard DNS and Priv
| - | Detailed query log |
| - | Parental control |

## How to set up Private AdGuard DNS
## How to set up private AdGuard DNS

### For devices that support DoH, DoT, and DoQ

1. Go to your [AdGuard DNS dashboard](https://agrd.io/download-dns) (if not logged in, log in using your AdGuard account)
1. Click "Connect device" and follow on-screen instructions
1. Click *Connect device* and follow on-screen instructions

:::note Supported platforms:

Expand All @@ -58,33 +60,39 @@ Here is a simple comparison of features available in Public AdGuard DNS and Priv

Every device that you add in the AdGuard DNS panel has its own unique address that can be used if the device supports modern encrypted DNS protocols (DoH, DoT, and DoQ).

## Linked IP

If the device does not support encrypted DNS and you have to use plain DNS, there's another way to allow AdGuard DNS to recognize the device — link its IP address. In this case AdGuard DNS counts all plain DNS requests that come from that IP address towards that "device".
### For devices that do not support DoH, DoT, and DoQ

The only requirement for linking IP is that **it must be a residential IP address**.
If the device does not support encrypted DNS and you have to use plain DNS, there are two more ways to allow AdGuard DNS to recognize the device — use dedicated IP addresses or link device's IP address.

:::note

A residential IP address is an IP address assigned to a device connected to a residential ISP. It is typically associated with a physical location and is allocated to individual homes or apartments. Residential IP addresses are used by regular Internet users for their everyday online activities, such as browsing the web, accessing social media platforms, sending emails, or streaming content.
Use plain DNS addresses only if you have no other options: this reduces the security of DNS requests. If you decide to use plain DNS, we recommend that you choose dedicated IP addresses.

:::

If you're trying to link a residential IP address and AdGuard DNS does not allow you to do that, please contact our support team at [email protected].
#### Dedicated IP addresses

## Private AdGuard DNS features
For every device that you connect to AdGuard DNS, you'll be offered two dedicated IPv6 addresses that you can enter in your device settings. Using both IPv6 addresses is not mandatory, but often devices might request you to enter two IPv6 addresses.

### Blocklists management
When you connect to them, AdGuard DNS will be able to determine which particular device is sending DNS requests and display statistics for it. And you'll be able to configure DNS rules specifically for this device.

With "Blocklists" feature you can set which domains you want to block and which you don't. Сhoose from wide variety of blocklists for different purposes.
Unfortunately, not all service providers offer IPv6 support, and not all devices allow you to configure IPv6 addresses. If this is your case, you may have to rely on the Linked IP method.

![Private AdGuard DNS dashboard blocklists](https://cdn.adtidy.org/public/Adguard/Blog/private_adguard_dns/blocklists.png)
#### Linked IP

### User rules
If you connect your device to AdGuard DNS via Linked IP, the service will count all plain DNS requests coming from that IP address towards that "device". With this connection method, you would have to reconnect manually or through a special program each time the device's IP changes, which happens after each reboot.

For times when pre-installed *Blocklists* with thousands of rules are not enough, we have a handy function called "User rules". Here you can add custom rules manually to block/unblock a certain domain or import custom rules lists (check out [DNS filtering rules syntax](../general/dns-filtering-syntax.md)). You can export the lists.
The only requirement for linking IP is that **it must be a residential IP address**.

![Private AdGuard DNS dashboard user rules](https://cdn.adtidy.org/public/Adguard/Blog/private_adguard_dns/import.png)
:::note

A residential IP address is an IP address assigned to a device connected to a residential ISP. It is typically associated with a physical location and is allocated to individual homes or apartments. Residential IP addresses are used by regular Internet users for their everyday online activities, such as browsing the web, accessing social media platforms, sending emails, or streaming content.

:::

If you're trying to link a residential IP address and AdGuard DNS does not allow you to do that, please contact our support team at [email protected].

## Private AdGuard DNS features

### Statistics

Expand All @@ -110,10 +118,30 @@ This is a detailed log where you can check out the information on every single r

![Private AdGuard DNS dashboard query log](https://cdn.adtidy.org/public/Adguard/Blog/private_adguard_dns/query_log.png)

## Server settings

This section features a range of settings allowing you to customize the operation of private AdGuard DNS, ensuring the Internet functions exactly as you desire.

### Blocklists management

The *Blocklists* feature allows you to specify which domains you want to block and which you don't. Choose from a variety of blocklists for different purposes.

![Private AdGuard DNS dashboard blocklists](https://cdn.adtidy.org/public/Adguard/Blog/private_adguard_dns/blocklists.png)

### Security settings

Even if you're aware of all the tricks online scammers use, there's always a chance you'll accidentally click a malicious link. To protect yourself from such accidents, go to the *Security settings* section and check the boxes next to the options listed there.

The *Block malicious, phishing, and scam domains* feature will block domains found in the dedicated database. And the *Block newly registered domains* will block all domains registered less than 30 days ago, which are often considered risky for your online privacy.

### User rules

For cases where pre-installed blocklists with thousands of rules are not enough, we have a handy feature called *User rules*. Here you can manually add custom rules to block/unblock a specific domain or import custom rule lists (see [DNS filtering rules syntax](../general/dns-filtering-syntax.md)). You can export the lists.

![Private AdGuard DNS dashboard user rules](https://cdn.adtidy.org/public/Adguard/Blog/private_adguard_dns/import.png)

### Parental control

To protect your child from online content you deem inappropriate, set up and activate the *Parental control* option. In addition to options such as "adult content" blocking and safe search, we've added the ability to manually specify domains for blocking and set a schedule for the *Parental control* to work accordingly.

![Private AdGuard DNS dashboard Parental Control](https://cdn.adtidy.org/public/Adguard/Blog/private_adguard_dns/parental_control.png)

In case you don't have Private AdGuard DNS yet, you can [get it on the official website](https://adguard-dns.io/).

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