As a tech enthusiast who has experimented with kernel tuning and network security, you know that the “best” choice depends on whether you want a “set-and-forget” cloud solution or a “tinker-friendly” local server.

Here is a deep dive into NextDNS and how it stacks up against the self-hosted giants.

What is NextDNS?

Think of NextDNS as a “Firewall in the Cloud.” It provides the same ad-blocking and tracking protection as a Pi-hole, but instead of running on a Raspberry Pi in your living room, it runs on a global network of high-performance servers.

The Key Advantages of NextDNS

1. Zero Hardware Required: You don’t need to buy a Raspberry Pi or keep a server running 24/7.
2. Protection Everywhere: Because it’s cloud-based, you can use it on your phone’s 5G connection, at a coffee shop, or at work—not just on your home Wi-Fi.
3. Modern Encryption: It natively supports DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH) and DNS-over-TLS (DoT).
4. Security Feeds: It uses professional threat intelligence feeds to block malware, phishing, and “Newly Registered Domains” (often used for scams) in real-time.
5. Parental Controls: Includes one-click toggles to block apps (TikTok, Roblox, Tinder), enforce SafeSearch, and even set “Recreation Time” schedules.

NextDNS vs. Pi-hole vs. AdGuard Home

While all three do essentially the same job—blocking domains at the DNS level—their “philosophies” are very different.

1. The Pi-hole Perspective

Pi-hole is the original king of network-wide ad blocking.

• Why choose it? If you are a privacy purist. Since it lives on your local network, your DNS queries never leave your house in an identifiable way.
• The Downside: If your Raspberry Pi crashes, your entire house loses internet. Also, keeping it working when you leave the house requires setting up a VPN like Wireguard.

2. The AdGuard Home Perspective

AdGuard Home is often seen as the “modern” Pi-hole.

• Why choose it? It has a much more modern web interface and, unlike Pi-hole, it handles encrypted DNS (DoH/DoT) natively without needing extra software. It also has better built-in client management.
• The Downside: Like Pi-hole, it still requires hardware and local maintenance.

3. The NextDNS Perspective

NextDNS bridges the gap between the two.

• Why choose it? If you want “enterprise-grade” features without the maintenance. It offers multiple “Profiles”—so you can have a strict profile for the kids’ iPads, a performance profile for your gaming PC, and a standard one for your phone.
• The Downside: Once you hit 300,000 queries per month, the filtering stops (unless you pay roughly $20/year).

Verdict: Which should you use?

• Use NextDNS if: You want a professional, multi-device setup that works on 5G/LTE just as well as home Wi-Fi, and you don’t want to manage hardware. It is the best choice for 90% of users.
• Use AdGuard Home if: You want to self-host and enjoy a beautiful UI with native encryption support on your local network.
• Use Pi-hole if: You are a dedicated “Homelab” enthusiast who wants the most lightweight, open-source, and privacy-focused setup possible.

Pro-Tip: You can actually use NextDNS CLI on your server. It acts as a local proxy that encrypts your traffic before sending it to the cloud, giving you the best of both worlds, local caching speed and cloud-based management!

The post What is NextDNS? appeared on Hamradio.my - Amateur Radio, Tech Insights and Product Reviews by 9M2PJU.

This guide outlines how to configure MyBSD DNS on a variety of devices and platforms in a formal, clear, and structured manner.

Important: MyBSD DNS is intended solely for use within Malaysia. Performance and accessibility outside of the country are not guaranteed.

Benefits of Using MyBSD DNS

• Optimized for Local Use — Designed specifically for Malaysian ISPs
• Built-in Ad Blocking — Automatically filters ads and trackers
• Encrypted DNS Support — Supports DNS over HTTPS (DoH) and DNS over TLS (DoT)
• Free and Open — Provided by the community at no cost, with no tracking or registration

Available DNS Servers

DoH Endpoints:

• https://kerambit.MyBSD.org.my:8443/dns-query
• https://manis.mybsd.org.my/dns-query

Device Setup Instructions

Windows 10 / 11

Method 1: Standard DNS Configuration

1. Open Settings → Network & Internet
2. Select your connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet)
3. Click Hardware Properties
4. Edit DNS settings, switch to Manual, and enable IPv4
5. Input MyBSD DNS IP addresses if available

Method 2: Encrypted DNS (DoH)

1. Navigate to Settings → Network & Internet
2. Select your active connection
3. Edit DNS settings
4. Enable DNS over HTTPS
5. Input:

• https://kerambit.MyBSD.org.my:8443/dns-query
• https://manis.mybsd.org.my/dns-query

macOS (Monterey and Later)

Standard DNS Setup

1. Go to System Settings → Network
2. Select your active connection, then click Details
3. Navigate to the DNS tab and add:

• kerambit.MyBSD.org.my
• manis.mybsd.org.my

Advanced (DoH)
macOS supports DoH via configuration profiles. Use Apple Configurator or the networksetup command to apply profiles for encrypted DNS.

Android

Private DNS (Android 9 and above)

1. Open Settings → Network & Internet → Private DNS
2. Select Private DNS provider hostname
3. Input:

• kerambit.MyBSD.org.my
• or manis.mybsd.org.my

Legacy Method

1. Open Wi-Fi Settings, long press your network
2. Select Modify Network → Advanced Options
3. Set IP settings to Static
4. Enter MyBSD IPs manually

iOS / iPadOS

1. Go to Settings → Wi-Fi
2. Tap the “i” icon next to your network
3. Choose Configure DNS → Manual
4. Add:

• kerambit.MyBSD.org.my
• manis.mybsd.org.my

Linux (Ubuntu / Debian)

systemd-resolved Method

sudo nano /etc/systemd/resolved.conf

Add the following lines:

DNS=kerambit.MyBSD.org.my manis.mybsd.org.my
DNSOverTLS=yes

Restart the service:

sudo systemctl restart systemd-resolved

Browser-Specific Setup

Firefox

1. Open Settings → General → Network Settings
2. Click Settings…
3. Enable DNS over HTTPS, select Custom
4. Input: https://kerambit.MyBSD.org.my:8443/dns-query

Google Chrome

1. Go to Settings → Privacy and Security → Security
2. Scroll to Advanced → Use secure DNS
3. Enable it and select Custom provider
4. Input: https://manis.mybsd.org.my/dns-query

Verification and Testing

To confirm that your DNS settings are working:

1. Visit https://www.dnsleaktest.com
2. Check if your DNS is now listed as MyBSD
3. Visit websites with heavy advertising and observe any reductions
4. Evaluate load times for local websites

Troubleshooting Tips

• Slow loading? Try switching between kerambit and manis
• Ads still showing? Clear browser cache and cookies
• Connection problems? Revert temporarily to ISP DNS to isolate issues

Final Note

The MyBSD DNS service, maintained by the Malaysian FreeBSD community, offers an accessible and efficient way to protect privacy and enhance the browsing experience—particularly for users within Malaysia.

Have you noticed any changes in speed, ad blocking, or general browsing after switching to MyBSD DNS? We encourage you to share your thoughts and feedback.

The post MyBSD DNS Setup Guide: Free Ad-Blocking DNS for Malaysians appeared on Hamradio.my - Amateur Radio, Tech Insights and Product Reviews by 9M2PJU.