ChrisPC DNS Switch is an easy-to-use tool for changing your PC DNS server, perhaps improving your security, privacy, and internet performance.

Launch the program and it displays your current DNS settings. If you know which alternative server you want to use - Comodo SecureDNS, say - then all you have to do is select it from the "DNS Preset" list, click Change DNS > Yes. Your settings will be updated, and you should be able to use them immediately (although it might be necessary to restart your browser).

The "DNS Preset" list includes 30+ servers - OpenDNS, Google, Norton, Yandex, DynDNS and more - so the chances are you won't be familiar with at least some. Choose a filter like "Secure", "Family Safe" or "Anonymous", though, and ChrisPC DNS Switch will display only servers of that type, a useful time saver.

You're not restricted to the built-in DNS servers, fortunately. Click "DNS Database" and you're able to add or edit custom servers of your own, as well as deleting any of the standard presets which you're sure you'll never use.

If you choose a server and it doesn't work as you expected, then a comprehensive "Restore" option is on hand. This can restore the previous DNS server, or the initial one (the settings as they were at installation) for both the current, or all network adapters, in a couple of clicks.

A $14.99 Pro edition. This gives much more flexibility, as you can freely edit the DNS list, or add as many other servers as you need (including importing them from a text file). The Pro version also comes with free technical support and allows commercial use.

Unfortunately, the Pro edition also brings a nag screen to the Free build. If you close the program window - or just leave it open for a while - a pop-up window appears, prompting you to upgrade. That seems a little aggressive to us, and we suspect it's more likely to drive users away than prompt them to spend their cash.