STATE ACTORGCA co-founder and Quad9 board member Philip Reitinger is a career US government cybersecurity insider: former DHS Deputy Undersecretary (National Cyber Security Center director 2009), first Executive Director DoD Cyber Crime Center, DOJ Computer Crime section prosecutor, Microsoft Chief Trustworthy Infrastructure Strategist, Sony CISO. IBM (threat intelligence provider) is a major US national security contractor — IBM X-Force data determines Quad9 domain blocking decisions.
WARNINGFounded with IBM (US) funding. Philip Reitinger (GCA co-founder, Quad9 backer) is a former US DHS Deputy Undersecretary for Cybersecurity. Swiss incorporated — legal protection against US data demands. No logging of queries per stated policy. Caution for users with adversarial US government threat models.
AUDITED BYNone on record
TRUST SCORE
49
LAST VERIFIED3/8/2026
LAST UPDATED3/13/2026
Specs
KYC LEVELZero
KYC TRIGGERSAdvertises No-KYC, but strictly adhere to OPSEC rules. Access via Tor, pay with XMR.
FEEFree
CATEGORIESDNS
BEST FORGeneral usage
FEATURESDNS over HTTPS, DNS over TLS, Malware blocking, No IP logging, Swiss nonprofit, DNSSEC validation, No account required
TOR—
REGIONS1 country — Global
About
Free encrypted DNS from a Swiss nonprofit. No IP logging, malware blocking, DNSSEC. DoH and DoT. No account required. (Zero KYC)
Follow the Money
Quad9 Foundation — Zürich, Switzerland
──────────────────────────────────────
Board: PCH + Global Cyber Alliance
Funder: IBM (donated 9.9.9.9 IP)
Revenue: donations + IBM partnership
├─ GCA co-founder: ex-DHS cybersec
├─ IBM X-Force controls blocklist
└─ Swiss nonprofit, no query logs
No. Quad9 does not require identity verification (KYC) for typical usage. Advertises No-KYC, but strictly adhere to OPSEC rules. Access via Tor, pay with XMR.
What payment methods does Quad9 accept?
Please check the provider site for accepted payment methods.
Is Quad9 available in my country?
Quad9 is available in: GLOBAL.
Is Quad9 based in a Five Eyes country?
No. Quad9 is based in CH, which is not a Five Eyes member country.
Is Quad9 safe to use for privacy?
Use Quad9 with caution. Founded with IBM (US) funding. Philip Reitinger (GCA co-founder, Quad9 backer) is a former US DHS Deputy Undersecretary for Cybersecurity. Swiss incorporated — legal protection against US data demands. No logging of queries per stated policy. Caution for users with adversarial US government threat models.
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