Because of its universality, DNS has become a natural enforcement layer for network policies, whether for security, compliance, productivity or digital well-being.

In an era where the answers to the most random questions — like the indoor land speed record or the Earth's weight — are just a few clicks away, we often take for granted the colossal network that makes it all possible: the internet. At the heart of ...

Below is a transcript of an episode of “The Opinions.” We recommend listening to it in its original form for the full effect. You can do so using the player above or on the NYTimes app, Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube, iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts. The transcript has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Sick of slow, expensive, or unreliable internet service? You probably are. Internet service providers (ISPs) came second to last in a study of customer satisfaction by industry in the US last year. For most folks, internet service comes into the house via ...