1.1.1.1 for Families: DNS Filtering for Home Networks

Two years after launching 1.1.1.1 as a public DNS resolver, Cloudflare has added a filtering tier aimed at home users. The new service, 1.1.1.1 for Families, blocks malware and optionally adult content at the DNS level, using the same infrastructure and privacy commitments as the original resolver.

The original 1.1.1.1 service now handles over 200 billion DNS requests per day, making it the second largest public resolver behind Google. Cloudflare has also pushed for encrypted DNS adoption through DNS over TLS and DNS over HTTPS. The company's recent privacy examination confirmed that its business model does not rely on selling user data or targeted advertising.

Two Filtering Levels

1.1.1.1 for Families is configured by pointing a device or router to one of two sets of IP addresses. The first option, blocking only malware, uses primary DNS 1.1.1.2 and secondary DNS 1.0.0.2. The second option, which adds adult content filtering, uses primary DNS 1.1.1.3 and secondary DNS 1.0.0.3.

For IPv6 networks, the addresses are:

  • Malware blocking only: 2606:4700:4700::1112 and 2606:4700:4700::1002
  • Malware and adult content: 2606:4700:4700::1113 and 2606:4700:4700::1003

Setup typically requires changing two numbers in the DNS settings of a home router or individual device. Cloudflare provides installation instructions for common routers and devices.

Technical Foundation

The filtering technology behind 1.1.1.1 for Families is the same site categorization system that powers Cloudflare Gateway, the company's enterprise DNS filtering product. Despite the enterprise pedigree, the home version is free and available worldwide.

The service is distinct from the original 1.1.1.1 resolver, which is designed for direct, fast DNS resolution and does not block or filter content. The new offering adds a content policy layer on top of that resolution, without changing the underlying privacy posture.

Future Configuration Options

Cloudflare plans to extend the service with more granular controls in the coming months. Planned features include custom allowlists and blocklists for specific sites, time-based blocking of categories such as social media, and usage reports for a household's internet activity.

Launch Context

The release coincides with a period when many users are relying more heavily on home networks due to COVID-19-related lockdowns. Cloudflare has a tradition of launching consumer products on April 1, distinct from its enterprise business, and positions this release as a practical tool for households seeking an extra layer of protection.