Norton DNS is a free public DNS service

Name server

In computing, a name server is a program or computer server that implements a name-service protocol. It maps a human-recognizable identifier to a system-internal, often numeric, identification or addressing component....

 offered by Symantec Corporation

Symantec

Symantec Corporation is the largest maker of security software for computers. The company is headquartered in Mountain View, California, and is a Fortune 500 company and a member of the S&P 500 stock market index.-History:...

 that claims to offer a faster and more reliable web browsing experience with basic security features integrated.

History

The service was opened to the public in June 2010. Symantec expects to keep the service free of charge.

Functionality

Users can activate Norton DNS by setting their DNS server addresses to the Norton DNS servers (hosted at 198.153.192.1 and 198.153.194.1). Client software for Windows and Mac OS X is also available that can automatically configure these settings. A similar client is available for Android mobile phones through the Android Market

Android Market

Android Market is an online software store developed by Google for Android OS devices. Its gateway is an application program called "Market", preinstalled on most Android devices, allows users to browse and download mobile apps published by third-party developers...

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DNS queries routed through Norton DNS are checked with the Norton Safe Web

Norton Safe Web

Norton Safe Web is a service developed by Symantec Corporation that is designed to help users identify malicious websites. Safe Web delivers information about websites based on automated analysis and user feedback....

 database to ensure that they do not point to malicious websites. Symantec thus seeks to block malware

Malware

Malware, short for malicious software, consists of programming that is designed to disrupt or deny operation, gather information that leads to loss of privacy or exploitation, or gain unauthorized access to system resources, or that otherwise exhibits abusive behavior...

 and phishing

Phishing

Phishing is a way of attempting to acquire information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication. Communications purporting to be from popular social web sites, auction sites, online payment processors or IT...

attempts. Norton DNS will also intercept misspelled domain names and offer suggestions or display advertising.