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Firefox Enables DNS-over-HTTPS by Default for U.S. Users

Posted: February 26, 2020 to Cybersecurity.

Tags: Data Breach, Cloud Security, Malware

Beginning today, February 25, 2020, Mozilla will now automatically send all of their US-based customers' DNS queries to Cloudflare DNS servers, as opposed to the default DNS servers set by their users via their new feature, DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH). DoH executes DNS look-ups over an encrypted server instead of just sending them over plaintext, making it more difficult for bad actors to intervene by hiding your browsing history from hackers and protecting your data from third party collectors. So, is there a catch? Unfortunately, yes. Mozilla's handling of the DoH has been criticized, due to the fact that they are using Cloudflare and not even attempting to use instead an encrypted DoH server from their users' preferred DNS provider. Google, in fact, was able to address that issue when they announced their DoH Chrome feature a few months ago by auto-updating DNS settings to the users' DoH service of choice, if an encrypted option is available. And Firefox users anywhere in the world can easily over-ride this automatic feature manually by changing the default DNS server in the settings by going to:
Firefox Settings >Preferences > General > Network Settings > click "Settings" > click "Enable DNS over HTTPS"
Even though it's not without controversy, it is important to note that Mozilla is the first browser to default its customers to DoH. We are curious to see if any other browsers will decide to follow suit.

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About the Author

Craig Petronella, CEO and Founder of Petronella Technology Group
CEO, Founder & AI Architect, Petronella Technology Group

Craig Petronella founded Petronella Technology Group in 2002 and has spent more than 30 years working at the intersection of cybersecurity, AI, compliance, and digital forensics. He holds the CMMC Registered Practitioner credential (RP-1372) issued by the Cyber AB, is an NC Licensed Digital Forensics Examiner (License #604180-DFE), and completed MIT Professional Education programs in AI, Blockchain, and Cybersecurity. Craig also holds CompTIA Security+, CCNA, and Hyperledger certifications.

He is an Amazon #1 Best-Selling Author of 15+ books on cybersecurity and compliance, host of the Encrypted Ambition podcast (95+ episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon), and a cybersecurity keynote speaker with 200+ engagements at conferences, law firms, and corporate boardrooms. Craig serves as Contributing Editor for Cybersecurity at NC Triangle Attorney at Law Magazine and is a guest lecturer at NCCU School of Law. He has served as a digital forensics expert witness in federal and state court cases involving cybercrime, cryptocurrency fraud, SIM-swap attacks, and data breaches.

Under his leadership, Petronella Technology Group has served 2,500+ clients, maintained a zero-breach record among compliant clients, earned a BBB A+ rating every year since 2003, and been featured as a cybersecurity authority on CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, and WRAL. The company leverages SOC 2 Type II certified platforms and specializes in AI implementation, managed cybersecurity, CMMC/HIPAA/SOC 2 compliance, and digital forensics for businesses across the United States.

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