DNS (domain name service) is what translates a domain name into a number, IP address, from time to time you may need to clean its data by using the flush DNS command in the ipconfig command line on the windows operating system.
DNS records are cached automatically by most of the operating system today, this is a method that uses to speed up the translation operation when trying to access a domain name over the internet.
For us as humans, it is more easy to remember domain names, like this site openport.net and not the IP address that represents them for our example its: 107.180.54.186.
How To Clear The DNS Cache on Windows 7:
You need to clear the DNS flush from time to time as it just prevents the computer from being redirected to any site without even asking for it.
For Windows 7 DNS flush, you need to use the command prompt. You need to type ‘cmd’ in the search option and type the command ‘ipconfig /flushdns’. This will automatically flush the DNS cache out of the system.
What Is The DNS Cache?
DNS servers actually save the domain names of the sites visited into numerical addresses. These name servers are contacted each time they are visited. Sometimes due to the higher number of a visitor, the DNS servers become overloaded. For this reason, the operating system has either its own DNS cache where they have the information for a given amount of time. This data is used to resolve any issues and queries for the particular amount of time the data is stored in the system.
The data thus saved in the DNS cache contains resource data, record type, record name, time to live, class, resource data length.
To Flush DNS or not?
The same procedure can be repeated for the windows 8 and windows 10 version, hardly any change is there. Only the search option tool might look different. But that’s it. After you get the command prompt screen open you need to type the same command to get rid of the DNS cache.
Using the build-in command line, on the windows operation system, ipconfig it is possible by using its optional parameters to give it the switch to flush the local DNS records and other DNS related data from your device.
You can do it by open the command line and type the following line and press the enter key:
ipconfig /flushdns
How to open the command like?
The easiest steps to do that is by:
- Press the Windows button on the keywords or press the start button or the small 4 windows button.
- Type cmd
- Search for an icon that looks like a black window (may have the name Command Prompt)
- Press it and a back window will open with the option to type text in it.
- Paste the text ipconfig /flushdns
- Press the enter key.
Tip: all the command-line tools on the windows operating system can be used with the “/?” parameter (without the quests) to get help.
Why do I need to do a flush DNS anyway?
Here are some recommendations when to clear DNS cache using the flush DNS switch in the ipconfig command:
- Experience a lot of 404 cases – Page Not Found.
- The site is open very slow or not open in the web browser.
- Wrong-site is open and the site name is right (can also be sue to a bad DNS record in the DNS cache).
- Local server name had been changed in your local network.
- Moving from one wireless location to another and the web looks stack.
The above recommendation is not the only situation that may be solved due to the DNS problem, so in general, if you have something that may be a reflection with slow browsing, after entering the domain name in the browser, you can try to use the flush DNS command to fix the problem.
Other reasons to flush it or not:
Now the question arises that why do we need to erase the DNS cache from the system. Well, as the information on the sites that you are visiting remains in the operating system for some time, it carries a potential threat to the privacy of the user. So there are primary three reasons behind it.
- You Need To Hide Your Search Behavior
When the cached DNS consists of all the information about your search history, it can be out there on the internet as well. The data collector tries to target the DNS cache to get all the required information.
- You Need To Avoid Being Manipulated.
The hackers can easily get access to your DNS cache and manipulate you to some fake online banking sites or other such sites where you are very vulnerable to being used.
- Resolve Some Technical Issues.
Some technical issues may come up if the DNS cache has the old IP address of some site. Then the site with the new name and address won’t open in the browser.
Final Tips!
In all, it is definitely suggested that one must clear their DNS cache as regularly as possible. To have a safe and easy approach on the internet.