How To Install DNSCrypt on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS

In today’s digital landscape, securing your online presence is more crucial than ever. One often overlooked aspect of internet security is DNS (Domain Name System) encryption. DNSCrypt offers a robust solution to this challenge, providing an additional layer of protection by encrypting your DNS queries. This guide will walk you through the process of installing and configuring DNSCrypt on Ubuntu 24.04, ensuring your system’s DNS requests remain private and secure.

Understanding DNSCrypt and Its Importance

DNSCrypt is a protocol that authenticates and encrypts DNS traffic between your device and DNS resolvers. Unlike traditional DNS, which transmits data in plain text, DNSCrypt enhances security by mitigating risks such as DNS spoofing, eavesdropping, and man-in-the-middle attacks. It supports various protocols, including DNSCrypt v2, DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH), and Oblivious DoH (ODoH), offering flexibility and improved privacy for users.

By implementing DNSCrypt on your Ubuntu 24.04 system, you’re taking a significant step towards safeguarding your online activities. This encryption prevents malicious actors from intercepting or manipulating your DNS queries, which could otherwise lead to phishing attacks, website redirection, or unauthorized data collection.

Prerequisites for Installing DNSCrypt

Before diving into the installation process, ensure your system meets the following requirements:

• A fully updated Ubuntu 24.04 system
• Terminal access with root privileges (sudo access)
• A stable internet connection for downloading packages
• Basic familiarity with command-line operations

It’s also recommended to back up any critical data before proceeding with the installation, as a precautionary measure.

Step-by-Step Installation Process

Follow these detailed steps to install DNSCrypt on your Ubuntu 24.04 system:

1. Update Your System

Begin by ensuring your system is up-to-date. Open your terminal and execute the following commands:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade -y

This process may take a few minutes, depending on your internet speed and the number of updates available.

2. Add the DNSCrypt PPA Repository

To ensure you have access to the latest version of DNSCrypt, add the official PPA repository:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:shevchuk/dnscrypt-proxy

When prompted, press Enter to confirm the addition of the repository.

3. Install DNSCrypt

With the repository added, you can now install DNSCrypt using the following command:

sudo apt install dnscrypt-proxy -y

The system will download and install DNSCrypt along with any necessary dependencies.

4. Verify the Installation

After the installation completes, verify that DNSCrypt is running correctly:

sudo systemctl status dnscrypt-proxy

You should see output indicating that the service is active and running.

Configuring DNSCrypt

With DNSCrypt installed, the next step is to configure it to suit your needs:

1. Locate the Configuration File

The main configuration file for DNSCrypt is located at /etc/dnscrypt-proxy/dnscrypt-proxy.toml. Open this file with your preferred text editor using sudo privileges:

sudo nano /etc/dnscrypt-proxy/dnscrypt-proxy.toml

2. Select DNS Servers

In the configuration file, locate the server_names section. Here, you can specify which DNSCrypt-enabled servers you want to use. For example:

server_names = ['cloudflare', 'google']

You can choose from a variety of servers listed in the configuration file comments or refer to the official DNSCrypt server list.

3. Configure DNS Resolvers

If you’re using custom DNS resolvers, you can define them in the configuration file. Look for the static section and add your resolvers:

[static.'example']
stamp = 'sdns://your_resolver_stamp_here'

4. Apply Changes

After making your desired changes, save the file and exit the text editor. Then, restart the DNSCrypt service to apply the new configuration:

sudo systemctl restart dnscrypt-proxy

Integrating DNSCrypt with Your System

To ensure your system uses DNSCrypt for all DNS queries, you need to integrate it with your network settings:

1. Configure NetworkManager

For Ubuntu 24.04 using NetworkManager:

1. Open the Network settings from the system tray or Settings app.
2. Select your active network connection and click the gear icon to edit.
3. In the IPv4 or IPv6 tab, set the DNS server to 127.0.2.1 (the address DNSCrypt listens on by default).
4. Click “Apply” to save the changes.

2. Modify resolv.conf (Alternative Method)

If you’re not using NetworkManager, you can modify the /etc/resolv.conf file:

sudo nano /etc/resolv.conf

Replace the existing nameserver entries with:

nameserver 127.0.2.1

Save the file and exit. Note that this change may be overwritten on reboot or by DHCP, depending on your system configuration.

Advanced Configuration Options

DNSCrypt offers several advanced configuration options for users who want more control over their DNS encryption:

Performance Tuning

To optimize DNSCrypt’s performance, you can adjust cache settings in the configuration file:

cache_size = 4096
cache_min_ttl = 2400
cache_max_ttl = 86400

These settings control the size of the DNS cache and the minimum and maximum time-to-live for cached entries.

Custom DNS Server Options

If you want to use specific DNS servers not included in the default list, you can add them to the static section of the configuration file:

[static]
  [static.'myserver']
  stamp = 'sdns://your_custom_server_stamp'

Anonymized DNSCrypt Setup

For enhanced privacy, you can configure DNSCrypt to use relays:

routes = [
    { server_name='*', via=['anon-example-1', 'anon-example-2'] }
]

This setup routes your DNS queries through anonymizing relays before reaching the resolver.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you encounter problems with DNSCrypt, try these troubleshooting steps:

1. Check Service Status

Verify that DNSCrypt is running:

sudo systemctl status dnscrypt-proxy

If it’s not active, try restarting the service:

sudo systemctl restart dnscrypt-proxy

2. Verify DNS Resolution

Test DNS resolution using the dig command:

dig @127.0.2.1 example.com

If this fails, check your configuration file for errors.

3. Check Logs

Review DNSCrypt logs for any error messages:

sudo journalctl -u dnscrypt-proxy

4. Firewall Configuration

Ensure your firewall isn’t blocking DNSCrypt. If using UFW, allow DNS traffic:

sudo ufw allow 53/udp
sudo ufw allow 53/tcp

Security Considerations and Best Practices

To maintain a secure DNSCrypt setup:

• Regularly update DNSCrypt and your system to patch security vulnerabilities.
• Use reputable DNS resolvers that respect privacy and don’t log queries.
• Consider enabling DNSSEC for additional protection against DNS spoofing.
• Monitor your DNSCrypt logs periodically for any suspicious activity.

Maintenance and Updates

Keep your DNSCrypt installation up-to-date by regularly updating your system:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

After updates, restart the DNSCrypt service:

sudo systemctl restart dnscrypt-proxy

Congratulations! You have successfully installed DNSCrypt. Thanks for using this tutorial for installing the DNSCrypt on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS system. For additional help or useful information, we recommend you check the official DNSCrypt website.