9.9.9.9
Quad9 is a free, recursive, anycast DNS platform that provides end users robust security protections, high performance, and privacy. The people, organizations, and structure behind Quad9 are what make the service credible. This section covers who governs Quad9, who builds and runs it, who funds it, and how you can become part of it. Quad9 systems are distributed worldwide, located primarily at Internet Exchange Points — meaning the distance and time required to get answers is lower than almost any other solution. The network uses anycast routing, so queries are automatically directed to the closest operational system. This infrastructure serves users everywhere, not just in high-population areas, which means even users in less well-served regions can see meaningful improvements in DNS lookup speed. Quad9 blocks access to known malicious domains, preventing your computers and IoT devices from connecting to malware or phishing sites. Every time a Quad9 user clicks a link or enters an address, Quad9 checks the site against threat intelligence from 30+ cybersecurity partners. Each partner supplies malicious domain data based on their own heuristics — examining factors including malware discovery, network behavior patterns, visual and structural analysis of sites, and individual reports of suspicious activity. Based on those results, Quad9 resolves or blocks the lookup, stopping connections to malicious sites before they happen. Quad9 is governed by a Foundation Council whose role is to ensure the organization stays true to its mission — security, privacy, and public benefit. Meet the council members and understand the structure that keeps Quad9 accountable. The Quad9 team manages a global DNS infrastructure that handles hundreds of millions of security checks every day. Meet the people responsible for keeping it fast, secure, and private. Quad9 is free to use because organizations and institutions invest in making it possible. Our sponsors make the infrastructure, the threat intelligence partnerships, and the global expansion of the service sustainable. The threat intelligence that powers Quad9’s security comes from 35+ cybersecurity organizations worldwide. Each partner contributes real-time data on malicious domains based on their own detection methods — and that combined intelligence is what makes blocking effective at scale. Quad9 runs on grants, sponsorships, and individual donations. Every contribution goes directly toward protecting more people in more places — including underserved communities that commercial security solutions never reach. Quad9 is a small team with significant reach. If you want your work to have a direct impact on internet security for millions of people worldwide, see what positions are currently open.
A nonprofit built on one conviction: security and privacy on the internet
should be available to everyone.
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