The Android operating system may become a little more secure from being monitored by internet service providers (ISPs) with the addition of a new security protocol called “DNS over TLS.”

DNS stands for domain name server. It functions as a waypoint which turns website addresses from a URL to an IP address that a computer could understand. Unfortunately, this process happens in plain text and could easily be used by ISPs to spy on a user’s browsing activity.

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According to XDA Developers, the DNS over TLS (transport layer security) protocol overcomes this vulnerability by encrypting the process to the same level of security as HTTPS. Implementation of this new protocol will take time and may not be out until Android version 8.1.

However, DNS over TLS does not provide a be-all and end-all solution, because most DNS do not support this encryption protocol yet. Additionally, DNS service providers who do opt in for DNS over TLS encryption will get access to the user’s browsing information rather than the ISP.

As an alternative to DNS over TLS, Android users may use Google DNS to secure their browsing activity from “curious” ISPs. JB

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