Change DNS on Kobo

cormaca · 01-19-2021, 11:26 AM

I’m wondering if anyone knows of a way of changing WiFi settings on the Kobo to use a specific DNS and hence use that DNS when using the Kobo web browser?

Have seen an old post about changing the hosts file, but ideally I don’t want to mess around with the device too much, considering I don’t really have much experience with Kobos or e-readers.

Thanks

trcm · 01-19-2021, 01:17 PM

If you have enabled telnet access, you can login as root and....

You can edit /etc/dhcpcd.conf to say :
nohook lookup-hostname, resolv.conf

And edit /etc/resolv.conf to say :
nameserver 1.1.1.1

cormaca · 01-19-2021, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trcm

If you have enabled telnet access, you can login as root and....

You can edit /etc/dhcpcd.conf to say :
nohook lookup-hostname, resolv.conf

And edit /etc/resolv.conf to say :
nameserver 1.1.1.1

Thanks so much for help, but I’m a bit of a noob. Would you mind briefly explaining telnet access in this context? And the text you provided is word for word? I don’t have to replace nameserver with anything?

Thanks again

DNSB · 01-19-2021, 02:02 PM

If you are using your own WiFi at home, why not simply change your router's DNS servers? Unless for some reason, you need your Kobo ereader to use a different DNS from the rest of your network.

JSWolf · 01-19-2021, 02:36 PM

Depending on your ISP, you may not be able to change the DNS. In that case, changing the DNS on your Kobo would not work. So check if your ISP allows you to use a DNS of your choice before changing your Kobo.

PeterT · 01-19-2021, 03:01 PM

I've never heard of an ISP that prevents DNS changes

binaryhermit · 01-19-2021, 03:06 PM

Theoretically they could block outgoing UDP port 53 and outgoing TCP port 853 to anything but their DNS servers which would effectively block DNS and DNS over TLS respectively

Given the practice of ISPs using their so-called DNS servers to hijack NXDOMAIN results to sell ads and the fact that they as far as I know never did what I described implies that it's not worth it

Elektron · 01-19-2021, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cormaca

Thanks so much for help, but I’m a bit of a noob. Would you mind briefly explaining telnet access in this context? And the text you provided is word for word? I don’t have to replace nameserver with anything?

Thanks again

What operating system do you use? I'm inclined to believe you use Windows, in which case you have to open up Command Prompt, type in:

Code:

telnet YOUR_KOBO_IP

To find your Kobo's IP, navigate to Settings ==> Device information.
I'm pretty sure you edit 1.1.1.1, not nameserver but I may be wrong.

DNSB · 01-19-2021, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Depending on your ISP, you may not be able to change the DNS. In that case, changing the DNS on your Kobo would not work. So check if your ISP allows you to use a DNS of your choice before changing your Kobo.

None of the major local ISPs block you from using an external DNS server. Now if you want to run your own DNS server or any other server? Look for a business/commercial internet option for that purpose. Be prepared for an extra zero in your monthly bill.

JSWolf · 01-19-2021, 06:33 PM

Set your DNS on your computer and then go to https://dnsleaktest.com and check if it worked. If so, then change your Kobo's DNS.

01-19-2021, 11:26 AM	#1
cormaca Member Posts: 13 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2021 Device: Kobo Clara HD	Change DNS on Kobo I’m wondering if anyone knows of a way of changing WiFi settings on the Kobo to use a specific DNS and hence use that DNS when using the Kobo web browser? Have seen an old post about changing the hosts file, but ideally I don’t want to mess around with the device too much, considering I don’t really have much experience with Kobos or e-readers. Thanks

01-19-2021, 02:36 PM	#5
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 76,963 Karma: 138588794 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Depending on your ISP, you may not be able to change the DNS. In that case, changing the DNS on your Kobo would not work. So check if your ISP allows you to use a DNS of your choice before changing your Kobo. Last edited by JSWolf; 01-19-2021 at 02:41 PM.

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01-19-2021, 01:17 PM	#2
trcm Connoisseur Posts: 96 Karma: 100000 Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: London Device: Kindle PW4, Libra H2O	If you have enabled telnet access, you can login as root and.... You can edit /etc/dhcpcd.conf to say : nohook lookup-hostname, resolv.conf And edit /etc/resolv.conf to say : nameserver 1.1.1.1

01-19-2021, 02:02 PM	#4
DNSB Bibliophagist Posts: 41,309 Karma: 158182188 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Vancouver Device: Kobo Sage, Libra Colour, Lenovo M8 FHD, Paperwhite 4, Tolino epos	If you are using your own WiFi at home, why not simply change your router's DNS servers? Unless for some reason, you need your Kobo ereader to use a different DNS from the rest of your network.

01-19-2021, 03:01 PM	#6
PeterT Grand Sorcerer Posts: 12,901 Karma: 76440364 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto Device: Libra H2O, Libra Colour	I've never heard of an ISP that prevents DNS changes

01-19-2021, 03:06 PM	#7
binaryhermit Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,732 Karma: 20469902 Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Lockport, IL Device: Kindle PW4, Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition	Theoretically they could block outgoing UDP port 53 and outgoing TCP port 853 to anything but their DNS servers which would effectively block DNS and DNS over TLS respectively Given the practice of ISPs using their so-called DNS servers to hijack NXDOMAIN results to sell ads and the fact that they as far as I know never did what I described implies that it's not worth it

01-19-2021, 06:33 PM	#10
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 76,963 Karma: 138588794 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Set your DNS on your computer and then go to https://dnsleaktest.com and check if it worked. If so, then change your Kobo's DNS.