Enhancing Tachiyomi Security: A Comprehensive Guide to DNS over HTTPS (DoH)

Tachiyomi, a popular open-source manga reader, relies on your device's DNS settings to resolve domain names into IP addresses. However, standard DNS queries are often vulnerable to eavesdropping and manipulation. This is where DNS over HTTPS (DoH) comes in, offering a significant security boost to your manga reading experience.

What is DNS over HTTPS (DoH)?

DNS over HTTPS encrypts your DNS queries, making them unreadable to potential eavesdroppers like your internet service provider (ISP) or anyone on a public Wi-Fi network. Instead of sending your queries in plain text over port 53 (the standard DNS port), DoH sends them as HTTPS requests over port 443 (the standard HTTPS port), which is already encrypted.

This encryption protects your privacy by preventing others from seeing which websites – or in this case, manga sources – you're accessing. It also safeguards against DNS spoofing and other attacks that could redirect you to malicious websites.

Why Use DoH with Tachiyomi?

Using DoH with Tachiyomi provides several key advantages:

• Enhanced Privacy: Prevents your ISP and others from monitoring your manga reading habits.
• Improved Security: Protects against DNS spoofing and other attacks that could lead to malware infections or data breaches.
• Circumventing Censorship: In some regions, DoH can help bypass government censorship by masking your DNS queries.
• Increased Speed (potentially): Some DoH providers offer faster resolution times compared to traditional DNS servers.

Implementing DoH with Tachiyomi: A Step-by-Step Guide

Unfortunately, Tachiyomi itself doesn't directly support configuring DoH settings within its app. Therefore, you need to configure DoH at the operating system level. The exact steps depend on your device and operating system:

Android:

Android's built-in DoH support varies by device and Android version. Some devices allow you to directly configure DoH in your network settings. Others might require a third-party VPN or DNS changer app. Popular options include:

• Built-in Android settings (if available): Check your Wi-Fi or mobile network settings for a DNS option.
• DNS Changer Apps: Several apps on the Google Play Store allow you to change your DNS settings, including selecting DoH providers. Research carefully and choose a reputable app.
• Using a VPN with DoH: Some VPN providers offer DoH as a built-in feature.

iOS:

iOS doesn't have built-in support for custom DNS configurations, including DoH. You'll likely need to use a VPN app that supports DoH.

Desktop (using Tachiyomi on an emulator):

If using an Android emulator on your desktop, you can apply the Android DoH configuration methods described above. If using Tachiyomi directly on your computer via a browser, DoH configuration would depend on the browser settings and/or use of a VPN.

Choosing a DoH Provider

Several reputable DoH providers exist, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Some popular choices include Cloudflare (1.1.1.1), Google Public DNS (8.8.8.8), and Quad9 (9.9.9.9). Consider factors such as privacy policy, speed, and geographical location when making your selection.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues after configuring DoH, such as Tachiyomi failing to connect to sources, try the following:

• Check your DoH settings: Ensure that you've correctly entered the DoH server address.
• Restart your device: A simple restart can often resolve connectivity problems.
• Try a different DoH provider: Some providers might be experiencing outages or have compatibility issues with certain devices.
• Temporarily disable DoH: To rule out DoH as the cause of the problem, temporarily revert to your default DNS settings.

Conclusion

Implementing DNS over HTTPS significantly enhances the security and privacy of your Tachiyomi experience. By encrypting your DNS queries, you protect yourself from various online threats and maintain control over your online activities. Follow these steps to enjoy a safer and more private manga reading experience.