What is OpenDNS, the advantages and disadvantages of OpenDNS

What is OpenDNS?

OpenDNS is a domain name system resolution service. Thanks to OpenDNS, users can access the internet more securely. With features like phishing protection, optional content filtering, and DNS lookups in their DNS servers.

OpenDNS is different from DNS services from network providers, the service gives Internet users many options and security features based on cloud computing technology. Every day, OpenDNS processes approximately 100 billion daily DNS queries from 85 million users through 25 data centers worldwide.

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You can completely skip the software installation and go completely setup with no configuration or custom filter options to use OpenDNS. Parental Control is a feature integrated into OpenDNS, this feature helps users filter out all connected network devices, thereby preventing information theft from hackers.

Thanks to the large Cache and located in many places around the world, OpenDNS has very fast resolution. Reliability in self-healing networks with built-in redundancy. OpenDNS has two services: a free service with ads and a more premium package.

Businesses often choose premium service packages that do not contain ads, and OpenDNS's premium service also provides reports on used Internet resources.

Advantages of OpenDNS

1. Ability to detect phishing sites and steal sensitive information. This feature works regardless of any user's operating system or browser.
2. Large Cache systems are located at intersections of the Internet. Thanks to that, when browsing the web, speed will be significantly increased if using OpenDNS.
3. If you type the wrong domain name, the system will automatically correct it, this is one of the advantages of OpenDNS. In case you type the wrong domain name but OpenDNS cannot automatically correct the error, it will display search results with similar domain names for you to easily choose.

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1. With OpenDNS, you only need to set up DNS configuration once, return to the original settings if you no longer want to use OpenDNS.
2. Use OpenDNS when you don't need to install any additional software.
3. Able to run on all web browsers and all operating systems.

How to configure OpenDNS

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On Windows Computers:

Windows 10:

1. Open "Settings".
2. Select "Network & Internet".
3. Select "Ethernet" or "Wi-Fi," depending on the connection you're using.
4. Click the connection name.
5. Scroll down and select "Change adapter options".
6. Right-click the connection you are using and select "Properties".
7. Select "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)".
8. Enter the IP address of the DNS server in the "Preferred DNS server" and "Alternate DNS server" boxes.

Windows 7:

1. Open "Control Panel".
2. Select "Network and Sharing Center".
3. Click "Change adapter settings".
4. Right-click the connection you are using and select "Properties".
5. Select "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)".
6. Enter the IP address of the DNS server in the "Preferred DNS server" and "Alternate DNS server" boxes.

On macOS

1. Open "System Preferences".
2. Select "Network".
3. Select the connection you are using.
4. Click the "Advanced" button.
5. Switch to the "DNS" tab.
6. Click the "+" icon to add the DNS server IP address.
7. You can delete or rearrange DNS servers using the "-"/"+" buttons.

On smartphones

1. iOS (iPhone/iPad):

   1. Open "Settings".
   2. Select "Wi-Fi."
   3. Select the name of the Wi-Fi network you are connecting to.
   4. Select "Configure DNS" and select "Manual".
   5. Add new DNS servers.

2. Android:

   1. Open "Settings".
   2. Select "Network & Internet" or "Connections."
   3. Select "Wi-Fi."
   4. Press and hold the name of the Wi-Fi network you are using.
   5. Select "Modify network" or similar.
   6. Select "Advanced options" and select "Static".
   7. Enter the IP address of the DNS server in the corresponding boxes.

Kareem Winters

Update 25 January 2024