This page shows how to change the DNS settings on the Netgear WGR613VAL router.
Other Netgear WGR613VAL Guides
This is the dns guide for the Netgear WGR613VAL. We also have the following guides for the same router:
- Netgear WGR613VAL - Reset the Netgear WGR613VAL
- Netgear WGR613VAL - How to change the IP Address on a Netgear WGR613VAL router
- Netgear WGR613VAL - Netgear WGR613VAL User Manual
- Netgear WGR613VAL - Netgear WGR613VAL Login Instructions
- Netgear WGR613VAL - Setup WiFi on the Netgear WGR613VAL
- Netgear WGR613VAL - Information About the Netgear WGR613VAL Router
- Netgear WGR613VAL - Netgear WGR613VAL Screenshots
What is the DNS setting on a Router
When you connect a router to the Internet it gets a few settings from your ISP automatically. One of the settings that the ISP sets in your router is the DNS setting. DNS stands for Domain Name System and it is used to convert Internet names into actual IP addresses. For instance, when you go to "google.com", your are really connecting to an IP address that is mapped through DNS to a number such as:
- 173.194.33.73
This mapping happens automatically every time you visit any page on the Internet.
Why Change Your Router's DNS Setting
Some ISPs choose to abuse the DNS system and map unknown names to servers that they control. This can be done in a way that you don't know it is happening since your router is getting its DNS settings from your ISP. For instance, if you have one of these ISPs who is hijacking your DNS, and you try to surf the web to "some-random-site.com" and "some-random-site.com" does not exist, you might get a page back from your ISP with local advertisements on it.
By changing your DNS setting in your router you will effectively change the DNS setting for every computer on your network. This is because when a device is connected to your network your router automatically hands out its own DNS settings to that device. This way you can protect your entire network from ISP hijacking with just one setting.
What Should I Change My DNS To
There are 2 really great DNS servers on the Internet that you can choose from right now: Google Public DNS and OpenDNS. If you are not sure which one to pick then just use Google Public DNS.
When you change the DNS settings in your router, you usually have to enter a Primary and a Secondary setting. The secondary is only used if the primary can not be located. Here are common settings:
If you want to use Google Public DNS, use the following settings:
- Primary: 8.8.8.8
- Secondary: 8.8.4.4
If you want to use OpenDNS, use the following settings:
- 208.67.222.222
- 208.67.220.220
Login To The Netgear WGR613VAL
To get started configuring the Netgear WGR613VAL DNS page you need to login to your router. If you are already logged in you can skip this step.
To login to the Netgear WGR613VAL, follow our Netgear WGR613VAL Login Guide.
Change the DNS settings on a Netgear WGR613VAL
If you followed our login guide above then you should see this screen.
This guide starts on the Router Status page of the Netgear WGR613VAL. To change the DNS Server settings, click the file on the left side-bar titled Basic Settings under the heading of Setup.
Configure the DNS section of your Netgear WGR613VAL
On this new page, find the section labeled Domain Name Server (DNS) Address. Under this heading are two radio buttons, pick the one that reads Use These DNS Servers.
Below that are four boxes in a row separated by dots. In the first set titled Primary DNS, enter the primary address of the DNS server you have decided to use. The address you enter here is always used first.
In the next set of boxes labeled Secondary DNS, enter the DNS Server address you want to be the secondary address. This address is a back-up address and is only used if the first is unavailable.
When you are finished, click Apply.
You did it!
Possible Problems when Changing your DNS settings
Most devices on your network will not begin using the new DNS settings until they have been rebooted. After rebooting a device you can go to it's network settings and verify that it is using the DNS servers that you specified.
Other Netgear WGR613VAL Info
Don't forget about our other Netgear WGR613VAL info that you might be interested in.
This is the dns guide for the Netgear WGR613VAL. We also have the following guides for the same router:
- Netgear WGR613VAL - Reset the Netgear WGR613VAL
- Netgear WGR613VAL - How to change the IP Address on a Netgear WGR613VAL router
- Netgear WGR613VAL - Netgear WGR613VAL User Manual
- Netgear WGR613VAL - Netgear WGR613VAL Login Instructions
- Netgear WGR613VAL - Setup WiFi on the Netgear WGR613VAL
- Netgear WGR613VAL - Information About the Netgear WGR613VAL Router
- Netgear WGR613VAL - Netgear WGR613VAL Screenshots