How to use encrypted DNS on Debian 13 GNOME?
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Aug 26, 2:30pm

To use encrypted DNS (DNS-over-TLS or DNS-over-HTTPS) on Debian 13 with GNOME, you can follow these steps. Debian 13 (likely using systemd-resolved or NetworkManager) supports encrypted DNS configurations. Here’s how to set it up:

Method 1: Using systemd-resolved (Recommended)

systemd-resolved is the default DNS resolver in Debian and supports DNS-over-TLS (DoT) and DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH).

1. Edit the systemd-resolved Configuration

Open the configuration file for systemd-resolved:

bash
sudo nano /etc/systemd/resolved.conf

2. Configure Encrypted DNS

Add or modify the following lines to use a DNS-over-TLS provider (e.g., Cloudflare, Quad9, or Google):

ini
[Resolve]
DNS=1.1.1.1 1.0.0.1  # Cloudflare DNS (IPv4)
# DNS=2606:4700:4700::1111 2606:4700:4700::1001  # Cloudflare DNS (IPv6)
DNSSEC=yes
DNSOverTLS=yes
# Domains=~.
# Cache=yes

For DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH), use a provider like Cloudflare or Google:

ini
[Resolve]
DNS=1.1.1.1
DNSOverTLS=yes
# For DoH, use a proxy like `dnscrypt-proxy` or `systemd-resolved` with a DoH endpoint.

3. Restart systemd-resolved

Apply the changes:

bash
sudo systemctl restart systemd-resolved

4. Verify Encrypted DNS

Check if DNS-over-TLS is active:

bash
systemd-resolve --status

Look for DNS Over TLS: yes in the output.

Method 2: Using NetworkManager (GNOME GUI)

If you prefer a GUI-based approach, use NetworkManager (GNOME’s default network manager).

1. Open Network Settings

  • Go to Settings > Network.
  • Select your active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and click the gear icon (⚙️).

2. Configure DNS

  • Go to the IPv4 or IPv6 tab.
  • Disable Automatic DNS and enter the encrypted DNS provider’s IP (e.g., 1.1.1.1 for Cloudflare).
  • Enable DNS over TLS if the option is available (depends on the NetworkManager version).

3. Apply Changes

  • Click Apply and restart the connection.

Method 3: Using dnscrypt-proxy (Alternative)

If you prefer DNSCrypt (another encrypted DNS protocol), install dnscrypt-proxy:

1. Install dnscrypt-proxy

bash
sudo apt update
sudo apt install dnscrypt-proxy

2. Configure dnscrypt-proxy

Edit the configuration file:

bash
sudo nano /etc/dnscrypt-proxy/dnscrypt-proxy.toml

Set your preferred DNS provider (e.g., Cloudflare):

toml
server_names = ['cloudflare', 'quad9-dnscrypt-ip4-filter-pri']

3. Start and Enable the Service

bash
sudo systemctl enable --now dnscrypt-proxy

4. Configure systemd-resolved to Use dnscrypt-proxy

Edit /etc/systemd/resolved.conf:

ini
[Resolve]
DNS=127.0.0.1
DNSStubListener=yes

Restart systemd-resolved:

bash
sudo systemctl restart systemd-resolved

Verification

To confirm encrypted DNS is working:

  1. Check DNS Leaks: Visit DNS Leak Test and verify your DNS provider matches your encrypted DNS choice.
  2. Test Connectivity:
    bash
    dig example.com @1.1.1.1
    If it resolves without errors, your setup is correct.

Troubleshooting

  • If DNS resolution fails, check logs:
    bash
    journalctl -u systemd-resolved -f
  • Ensure no other DNS services (e.g., dnsmasq) are conflicting.

Would you like help choosing a specific DNS provider or debugging an issue?

Aug 26, 2:30pm

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