Privacy-Focused DNS Configuration Guides
The configuration described using OPNsense’s Unbound DNS resolver set up with DNS over TLS (DoT) to encrypt all DNS queries, combined with Pi-hole on the same host to provide network-wide ad-blocking, with strict firewall rules and DNS redirect rules to prevent leaks, is currently one of the most private and secure DNS setups available for a home or small office network.
Why This Is Highly Private
DoT Encryption: Encrypting all DNS traffic from OPNsense to upstream DNS servers with DoT protects against eavesdropping and man-in-the-middle attacks over the internet.
Pi-hole Integration: Pi-hole filters out ads, trackers, and malware domains locally while forwarding DNS queries securely to the encrypted Unbound resolver, ensuring privacy and control over DNS resolution.
Firewall and NAT Rules: Enforcing clients to use Pi-hole for DNS and blocking or redirecting all other DNS traffic prevents DNS leaks or bypasses that could reveal queries unencrypted.
Local Recursive Resolution: Unbound can be configured as a validating, recursive resolver, which reduces reliance on third-party DNS providers, further limiting data exposure.
Potential Additional Privacy Enhancements
Using a self-hosted, fully recursive Unbound instance on OPNsense without forwarding (making your own DNS root queries) enhances privacy but may require more maintenance and resources.
Combining DNS over HTTPS (DoH) alongside or instead of DoT could obscure DNS traffic further within HTTPS traffic, although OPNsense natively supports DoT best.
Regularly updating blocklists in Pi-hole and enabling DNSSEC validation in Unbound adds further robustness.
Using privacy-focused upstream DNS providers (e.g., Quad9, Cloudflare with privacy features) is recommended.
Summary
This setup represents a strong privacy-first DNS architecture for most users. It securely encrypts DNS, controls DNS traffic flow on the network, and filters unwanted content, all with open-source components and configurable controls.
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