[](https://github.com/yokoffing/NextDNS-Config/issues)
[](https://github.com/yokoffing/NextDNS-Config/issues?q=is%3Aissue+is%3Aclosed)
[](https://hits.seeyoufarm.com)
***
# Guidelines :bookmark:
1) Prevent overblocking by utilizing the [law of diminishing returns](https://pmctraining.com/site/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Law-of-Diminishing-Returns-CHART.png) (e.g., using [sane](https://www.privacyguides.org/basics/threat-modeling/), quality [blocklists](https://github.com/yokoffing/NextDNS-Config#blocklists-1); allowing most [TLDs](https://github.com/yokoffing/NextDNS-Config#block-top-level-domains-tlds-1-2-3-4-5); etc.).
2) Pass the [girlfriend test](https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Grandma%20Test) with few exceptions. These deviations are documented throughout the guide.
***
# Security :cop:
Security settings protects your data from harm, theft, and unauthorized use.
### Threat Intelligence Feeds [1](https://github.com/nextdns/metadata/blob/master/security/threat-intelligence-feeds.json)
 Use Threat Intelligence Feeds
### AI-Driven Threat Detection
 Enable AI-Driven Threat Detection
### Google Safe Browsing [1](https://safebrowsing.google.com/safebrowsing/report_general/) [2](https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/11689349/107696360-d8dde800-6c7f-11eb-9882-cccc8d2065c5.jpg) [3](https://the8-bit.com/apple-proxies-google-safe-browsing-privacy/) [4](https://github.com/brave/brave-browser/wiki/Deviations-from-Chromium-(features-we-disable-or-remove)#services-we-proxy-through-brave-servers)
 Enable Google Safe Browsing
### Cryptojacking Protection [1](https://github.com/nextdns/metadata/blob/master/security/cryptojacking.json)
 Enable Cryptojacking Protection
### DNS Rebinding Protection [1](https://help.nextdns.io/t/35hmval/what-is-dns-rebinding-protection) [2](https://www.reddit.com/r/nextdns/comments/t0ne8r/does_dns_rebinding_protection_block_remote_access/?context=3)
 Enable DNS Rebinding Protection
### IDN Homograph Attacks Protection
 Enable Homograph Attacks Protection
### Typosquatting Protection [1](https://github.com/nextdns/metadata/blob/master/security/typosquatting/protected-domains)
 Enable Typosquatting Protection
### Domain Generation Algorithms (DGAs) Protection
 Enable DGA Protection
### Block Newly Registered Domains (NRDs) [1](https://www.malwarebytes.com/glossary/phishing) [2](https://old.reddit.com/r/uBlockOrigin/comments/w64sqt/comment/ihboutk/?context=3) [3](https://www.boldgrid.com/instagram-influencer-accounts-are-being-hacked-phishing-attacks/)
:warning: Blocking NRDs may cause false positives [occasionally](https://old.reddit.com/r/InternetIsBeautiful/comments/w2wdro/comment/iguvg8y/?context=3). Be selective when adding NRDs to your allowlist; and, when you do this, **NEVER** give [sensitive information](https://www.egnyte.com/guides/governance/sensitive-information) to a NRD. *If you plan to [set-and-forget](https://glosbe.com/en/en/set-and-forget) your configuration, disable this setting.*
 Block Newly Registered Domains (NRDs)
### Block Dynamic DNS Hostnames [1](https://github.com/nextdns/metadata/blob/master/security/ddns/suffixes) [2](https://twitter.com/NextDNS/status/1541740963760144386?cxt=HHwWhIC8iZ7PruUqAAAA) [3](https://www.phishing.org/what-is-phishing)
 Enable Block Dynamic DNS Hostnames
### Block Parked Domains [1](https://github.com/nextdns/metadata/blob/master/security/parked-domains-cname)
 Block Parked Domains
### Block Top-Level Domains (TLDs) [1](https://www.gomyitguy.com/blog-news-updates/malicious-domain-extensions) [2](https://www.spamhaus.org/statistics/tlds/) [3](https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/verified-twitter-accounts-hacked-to-send-fake-suspension-notices/) [4](https://github.com/iam-py-test/my_filters_001/blob/main/enhanced_protection.txt)
:warning: Blocking TLDs will cause false positives. This list may be unusable if you often visit domains that use these blocked TLDs. Add sites affected to your allowlist if they are not malicious. *If you plan to [set-and-forget](https://glosbe.com/en/en/set-and-forget) your configuration, skip this setting.*
```
.work
.fit
.surf
.cn
.info [users may exclude due to overblocking; see https://github.com/yokoffing/NextDNS-Config#info-tld]
-
.agency
.bid
.cam
.casa
.cf
.ci
.cricket
.fun
.ga
.gq
.icu
.live
.loan
.ml
.monster
.online
.ooo
.rest
.tk
.top
.win
```
### Block Child Sexual Abuse Material
 Block Child Sexual Abuse Material
***
# Privacy :lock:
Privacy features block certain requests so that companies cannot track your information and browsing history.
[Privacy is a spectrum](https://blog.thenewoil.org/the-privacy-myth-binary-vs-spectrum): Similar to security protection, what you need varies on your [threat model](https://thenewoil.org/threatmodel.html), interest, and skillset. (You can watch [this](https://youtu.be/Wpkh-hfULgE) short video to understand the difference between security and privacy.)
### Blocklists [1](https://github.com/nextdns/metadata/tree/master/privacy/blocklists)
Blocklists are community generated lists that block ads and [trackers](https://www.freecodecamp.org/news/what-you-should-know-about-web-tracking-and-how-it-affects-your-online-privacy-42935355525/). They can be categorized into five tiers of coverage:
1) **None**: no breakage; true [set-and-forget](https://glosbe.com/en/en/set-and-forget); NextDNS still protects against known malicious threats (see [Security](https://github.com/yokoffing/NextDNS-Config#security-cop)) but will allow ads and trackers; ideal for router profiles
2) **Basic**: rare breakage; lenient protection; very forgiving towards trackers in comparison to other lists
3) **Balanced:** minimal breakage; usually doesn't interfere with user experience; allowlist occasionally
4) **Strict:** moderate breakage; prioritizes privacy over user experience; will need to build a personal allowlist
5) **Aggressive:** excessive breakage; use on a separate profile to [lockdown single-purpose devices](https://old.reddit.com/r/nextdns/comments/uqap3n/comment/i8q8alf/?context=3)
Here's a compliation of popular blocklists available in NextDNS:
| Basic | Balanced | Strict | Aggressive |
|:---------------------------------: |:---------------------------------: |:------------------------------: |:----------------------------------------: |
| 1Hosts (mini) | 1Hosts (Lite) | 1Hosts (Pro) | 1Hosts (Xtra) |
| oisd | oisd | NextDNS Ads & Trackers Blocklist | Goodbye Ads |
| | NoTrack Tracker Blocklist | Lightswitch05 - Ads & Tracking | Energized Ultimate |
From my testing and user feedback, **Balanced** is a great tier to use if you're trying DNS-level blocking for the first time.
### Native Tracking Protection [1](https://github.com/nextdns/metadata/tree/master/privacy/native)
Add all the device brands that you use. There's no advantage in adding brands you don't have; however, there’s no disadvantage in adding unused brands, either.
Xiaomi
Huawei
Samsung
Amazon Alexa
Windows
Apple
Roku
Sonos
### Block Disguised Third-Party Trackers [1](https://github.com/nextdns/cname-cloaking-blocklist/blob/master/domains) [2](https://medium.com/nextdns/cname-cloaking-the-dangerous-disguise-of-third-party-trackers-195205dc522a) [3](https://arxiv.org/pdf/2102.09301.pdf) [4](https://tma.ifip.org/2020/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2020/06/tma2020-camera-paper66.pdf)
 Block Disguised Third-Party Trackers
### Allow Affiliate & Tracking Links [1](https://github.com/nextdns/metadata/blob/master/privacy/affiliate-tracking-domains) [2](https://twitter.com/NextDNS/status/1539229377560461312)
 Allow Affiliate & Tracking Links
***
# Parental Control :family:
### YouTube Restricted Mode
 Enforce YouTube Restricted Mode
### Block Bypass Methods [1](https://github.com/nextdns/metadata/tree/master/parentalcontrol)
 Block Bypass Methods
***
# Denylist :no_entry:
Denylist entries block any requests from that source.
N/A
***
# Allowlist :white_check_mark:
Allowlist entries override any blocks.
### info ([TLD](https://github.com/yokoffing/NextDNS-Config#block-top-level-domains-tlds-1-2-3-4-))
dnscrypt.info
keepass.info
scammer.info
apowersoft.info
pop-planet.info
privatebin.info
avascan.info
### Facebook / Instagram
graph.facebook.com
graph.instagram.com
i.instagram.com
### Apple device updates [1](https://github.com/badmojr/1Hosts/issues/536) / Apple Music [2](https://old.reddit.com/r/nextdns/comments/vz9kla/at_last_nextdns_added_the_1host_xtra/ig8zsnn/)
xp.apple.com
### Apple iMessage GIFs [1](https://github.com/badmojr/1Hosts/issues/560) / Spotlight Search [2](https://github.com/badmojr/1Hosts/issues/562)
smoot.apple.com
### Zoom [1](https://oisd.nl/excludes.php?w=log.zoom.us) [2](https://oisd.nl/excludes.php?w=us04logfiles.zoom.us)
logfiles.zoom.us
us04logfiles.zoom.us
us04zpns.zoom.us
### Epic Games Launcher [1](https://github.com/badmojr/1Hosts/issues/643)
eulatracking-public-service-prod06.ol.epicgames.com
### NVIDIA Gefore Experience [1](https://github.com/badmojr/1Hosts/issues/650)
gfe.nvidia.com
nvgs.nvidia.cn
### [imgur](https://imgur.com/) [1](https://github.com/lightswitch05/hosts/issues/358)
js.media-lab.ai
### [Spectrum](https://www.spectrum.net) login [1](https://github.com/badmojr/1Hosts/issues/640)
pov.spectrum.net
### [CBS](https://www.cbsnews.com/live/#x) News livestream [1](https://github.com/nextdns/metadata/issues/1030)
production-cmp.isgprivacy.cbsi.com
### [FiveThirtyEight](https://fivethirtyeight.com/) videos / National Geographic website
dcf.espn.com
### [Men's Health](https://www.menshealth.com/nutrition/a40868905/chris-hemsworth-chicken-pasta-bake-recipe-centr/) videos [1](https://github.com/badmojr/1Hosts/issues/651)
glimmer.hearstapps.com
***
# Settings :gear:
### Block Page
 Enable Block Page → :radioactive: *Enabling may cause breakage if the [NextDNS Root CA](https://help.nextdns.io/t/g9hmv0a/how-to-install-and-trust-nextdns-root-ca) is not on your devices*
### Anonymized EDNS Client Subnet [1](https://help.nextdns.io/t/m1hmv04/what-is-edns-client-subnet-ecs)
 Enable Anonymized EDNS Client Subnet
### Cache Boost [1](https://old.reddit.com/r/nextdns/comments/girmcf/new_setting_cache_boost/)
 Enable Cache Boost
### CNAME Flattening [1](https://medium.com/nextdns/nextdns-added-cname-uncloaking-support-becomes-the-first-cross-platform-solution-to-the-problem-e3f437f84342) [2](https://developers.cloudflare.com/dns/additional-options/cname-flattening) [3](https://advancedweb.hu/what-is-cname-flattening-and-how-it-helps-redirecting-the-apex-domain/)
 Enable CNAME Flattening
### Web3 [1](https://twitter.com/NextDNS/status/1491034351391305731) [2](https://gabygoldberg.notion.site/f7050e62461143d49345e7b46eb5576b)
 Enable Web3
(optional)
***
# FAQ :question:
### How do I signup for NextDNS?
Click [here](https://nextdns.io/?from=xujj63g5)!
### Do I still need adblocker with NextDNS?
Yes. [1](https://help.nextdns.io/t/x2hzbps/using-nextdns-why-is-ublock-origin-still-catching-lots-of-ads) [2](https://github.com/gorhill/uBlock/wiki/About-%22Why-uBlock-Origin-works-so-much-better-than-Pi%E2%80%91hole-does%3F%22) [3](https://old.reddit.com/r/nextdns/comments/t8qn8c/comment/hzqrrfa/?context=3)
***
# Credit :books:
Forked from the [crssi](https://github.com/crssi/NextDNS-Config#readme) config. Where there is similiarity to other authors, credit goes to them.
***
23 July 2022