Securing Your MikroTik Router with Cloudflare DNS over HTTPS (DoH)

DNS over HTTPS (DoH) is a privacy-enhancing protocol that encrypts your DNS queries, preventing your ISP and other potential eavesdroppers from seeing which websites you visit. This guide will walk you through configuring DoH on your MikroTik router using Cloudflare's public DNS servers. This significantly boosts your network's security and privacy.

Why Use Cloudflare DoH with MikroTik?

Using Cloudflare's DoH with your MikroTik router offers several advantages:

• Enhanced Privacy: Your DNS queries are encrypted, protecting them from snooping.
• Improved Security: DoH protects against DNS spoofing and other attacks that target unencrypted DNS traffic.
• Faster DNS Resolution (potentially): Cloudflare's global network often provides faster DNS resolution than your ISP's DNS servers.
• Centralized Management: Configure DoH at the router level, protecting all devices on your network without individual device configurations.

Configuring DoH on Your MikroTik Router

The exact steps may vary slightly depending on your MikroTik router's version and firmware. However, the general process remains the same. Access your MikroTik router's interface using Winbox or a web browser. The following instructions assume you have already logged in.

Step 1: Accessing the IP/DNS Settings

Navigate to IP > DNS. You'll find a list of your current DNS servers. We'll replace these with Cloudflare's DoH servers.

Step 2: Adding Cloudflare's DoH Servers

MikroTik's configuration requires a slight adjustment for DoH. Instead of directly entering the DoH address, you'll use a regular DNS server address but specify the DoH protocol in a separate field. The process varies slightly depending on the version, but generally you will need to:

1. Add a new DNS server. Cloudflare's DNS servers are: 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1
2. Locate the DNS settings for that server. You may find a field titled "Use DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH)", "DoH Server", or something similar.
3. Enable DoH and either leave the specific DoH server address blank (most MikroTiks automatically use the standard DoH address for the given server) or enter the full DoH URL: https://1.1.1.1/dns-query
4. Repeat the process for the second DNS server. You can use the same server, or use 1.0.0.1, both addresses should be set to use DoH.

Important Note: The exact menu options and field names may vary slightly depending on your MikroTik routerOS version. Consult your router's manual or MikroTik's documentation for precise instructions.

Step 3: Testing Your Configuration

After adding the DoH servers, save your configuration and test the connection. You can use online tools to check if your DNS queries are being encrypted over HTTPS. A simple test is to check if your DNS lookups are routed through cloudflare's IPs.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter problems, here are some common troubleshooting steps:

• Verify RouterOS Version: Ensure your firmware is up-to-date. Older versions may have limited DoH support.
• Check Firewall Rules: Make sure your firewall rules aren't blocking DoH traffic on port 443.
• Consult MikroTik Documentation: Refer to MikroTik's official documentation for your specific router model and firmware version.
• Restart Your Router: A simple restart can often resolve minor configuration issues.

Conclusion

By configuring Cloudflare DNS over HTTPS on your MikroTik router, you significantly improve the privacy and security of your home network. This simple configuration change offers a substantial increase in protection against DNS spying and manipulation. Remember to always refer to your MikroTik router's documentation for the most accurate and up-to-date instructions.