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Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1 Service Launches on Android and iOS (fastcompany.com)

Posted by msmash on from the interesting-moves dept.

harrymcc writes: Content-distribution network Cloudflare has introduced iOS and Android versions of 1.1.1.1, a free service which helps shield you from snoops by replacing your standard DNS with its encrypted (and speedy) alternative. The mobile incarnation of the PC service it launched last April, the apps don't require you to do anything other than downloaded and install them, give your device permission to install a VPN, and flip a switch -- making them approachable for the masses, not just geeks.

8 of 105 comments (clear)

  1. Re: Cloudflare ROCKS! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

    You really should read the article. If you have your own DNS or your own VPN this is a downgrade to your opsec. Most people don't, and they do use the ISP's DNS servers (or the telco carrier's DNS) ... and here is where the Cloudflare service really makes a difference.

    It doesn't "Hijack" anything. You either affirmatively choose to install it... or you don't. If you don't, nothing changes.

    Try reading the article for comprehension. /.reader#734

  2. Sick of big companies snooping your dns? by viperidaenz · · Score: 4, Insightful

    We have a simple solution!
    Install this app and give Cloudflare permission to access all of your network traffic and you can use our DNS server!

    1. Re:Sick of big companies snooping your dns? by viperidaenz · · Score: 3, Insightful

      I'm not sure what your point is, because you've failed at english.

      But VPN apps get access to all network traffic on your phone. they're free to inspect the data and are responsible for routing it. That's just how VPNs work.
      If you're worried about "big data" getting your data, I'm failing to see how freely giving it all to a "big data" company is going to help. Especially when the service they're offering is free. Someone is paying for it.

      Maybe they want to analyse the data to find popular websites people use that don't go through Cloudflare services, so they can better target their marking to those site operators.

  3. No thanks by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    This isn't protecting traffic from snooping, it's exposing traffic to Cloudflare. The same company which makes a business model out of holding other people's private TLS keys. The same company which refuses to stop serving known spammers. The same company which was breaking half the internet for Tor users.

    Cloudflare is the kind of centralization we need to get away from.

  4. 1.1.1.1? by Freshly+Exhumed · · Score: 3, Funny

    How am I supposed to remember that IP address? If only there was a system to translate such IP addresses into more human-friendly names that are easier to remember...

    --
    I deny that I have not avoided attaining the opposite of that which I do not want.
  5. Re:Cloudflare ROCKS! by OneHundredAndTen · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Are you aware of the fact that Cloudflare has access to ALL of your DNS queries? If you do not trust your ISP, Google, etc., why would you trust Cloudflare?

  6. Re: Give your device permission to install a VPN by bursch-X · · Score: 3, Funny

    You downloaded an VPN app that now has the gall to ask to install a VPN - inconceivable.

    --
    There are two rules for success:
    1. Never tell everything you know.
  7. Re:Cloudflare ROCKS! by AmiMoJo · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Because most people have to trust someone with their DNS queries, especially when on mobile networks. Given a choice of unencrypted DNS queries to your scummy mobile provider's servers or encrypted ones to Cloudflare, you are probably better off with the latter.

    At least Cloudflare can't tie up the request with cell location data and sell that information to nearby businesses.

    --
    const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
    SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC