Swoop to host Quad9 DNS hubs, restoring local security

Swoop has started hosting Quad9's DNS security infrastructure in Australia, after changes by major internet service providers sent local Quad9 queries to overseas servers.

The arrangement links Swoop, an Australian telecommunications provider, with Quad9, a Swiss-based cybersecurity nonprofit. Swoop said it is hosting Quad9 infrastructure across five metropolitan hubs. Swoop said it is doing this at no cost to Quad9.

Quad9 operates a public Domain Name System resolver with threat blocking. DNS services translate website names into numerical internet addresses. Quad9 said its service blocks access to domains associated with malicious activity such as phishing and malware.

Several major Australian ISPs stopped routing traffic to Quad9's Australian servers earlier in 2025, according to the companies. Quad9 queries from Australia then went to servers in Hong Kong, Singapore and Los Angeles. The companies said the routing changes affected performance and reliability for local users.

Swoop said it has restored local DNS routing for Quad9 by providing local hosting. The companies said the shift returns queries to onshore infrastructure and reduces the distance data needs to travel.

Free DNS

Quad9 said it provides services to more than 100 million users globally. It listed users including universities, libraries, government bodies, emergency services and ISPs. Quad9 operates as a nonprofit and bases its headquarters in Switzerland.

"Quad9 exists to make the internet safer for everyone," said Zachary Gilman, Network and Interconnection Manager, Quad9. "We operate as a neutral, nonprofit service with less than ten full-time staff supporting over 100 million users worldwide. Partnerships like this one ensure that Australians can continue to access free, privacy-first protection at the performance levels they expect."

Swoop said hosting spans five major metropolitan hubs. It did not name the locations. Quad9 said the added local presence improves geographic diversity and connectivity for its users in Australia.

"Swoop saw an opportunity to support Australians who rely on secure, high-performance connectivity," said Alex West, Chief Executive Officer, Swoop. "By hosting Quad9's services for free across our network, we've helped restore fast, resilient access to essential security infrastructure that protects millions of people every day.

"This partnership sits right at the intersection of what Swoop cares about: robust infrastructure, customer-first connectivity and a safer online experience for everyone."

Privacy focus

Quad9 said Swiss jurisdiction shapes its privacy position. The organisation said it operates under Swiss privacy laws. It said those protections apply alongside its threat blocking service.

Because DNS resolvers can observe the domains users request, privacy has become a point of competition in the DNS market. Quad9 positions itself as a privacy-first service. It said threat blocking does not require software downloads, user sign-ups or subscription fees.

Quad9 said Australians can use the service by changing DNS settings on devices or networks. It cited the IP addresses 9.9.9.9 and 149.112.112.112. DNS configuration can sit at the level of a phone, laptop, router, or business network. It can also be set by managed service providers for customer environments.

Role of telcos

The partnership reflects a model where access providers host shared security services. Quad9 depends on distributed infrastructure and routing relationships for local performance. When ISPs change routing policies, end users can see shifts in speed and reliability even when the DNS provider remains reachable.

Gilman described the Australian hosting move as a contribution to the broader network environment.

"Swoop has made a huge contribution to Australia's internet ecosystem. They recognised that this was core security infrastructure, acted quickly, and used their network to make sure our services remained available and performant nationwide. It's exactly the kind of collaboration the internet was designed for critical services supported by organisations that care about community, not profit," said Gilman.

John Todd, Chief Technology Officer, Quad9, framed the change as a performance improvement for Australian users.

"We are thrilled to be bringing faster access for our services to our dedicated and technology-savvy user community in Australia. This partnership with Swoop ticks all the boxes - geographic diversity, great connectivity, and a common shared goal of security and privacy for end users," said Todd.

Quad9 said the Australian Cyber Security Centre has recommended its DNS service to Australians targeted by phishing and online scams. Swoop and Quad9 said demand for simple protective measures has risen as cyber threats increase.

"Between Swoop's engineering capabilities and Quad9's nonprofit security mission, this partnership is a genuine win for Australian internet users," said West. "It's a powerful reminder that connectivity isn't just about speed - it's about safety, trust and doing the right thing for the wider community."