OpenDNS is a useful tool for controlling access to some classes of websites on the Internet. OpenDNS has added a wide range of DNS filtering capabilities in its service.
Sorry, I probably lost most of you with that last statement. Let me explain.
DNS, or Domain Name System, is the Internet’s address book. DNS translates web addresses (also e-mail destinations and addresses for other purposes) like http://www.cnn.com into cryptic IP addresses like 64.236.91.22. These IP addresses are what our browsers and e-mail programs actually use to send and receive information. But since names like cnn.com are easier to remember, we use those instead, and DNS does the translation for us without our even having to think of it.
Now, back to OpenDNS. Among its capabilities:
- Adding multiple networks, each with its own settings, which includes:
- Six different options for blocking adult related sites
- A customizable list of domains to block
- Block access to phishing sites
- Custom image and/or text to display when a blocked domain is attempted
- Shortcuts (e.g. “mail”) that will take you to full domains (e.g. “mail.yahoo.com”)
- Typo correction (e.g. “my.yhoo.com” will take you to “my.yahoo.com”)
- Full statistics
I am using OpenDNS on my family’s home network, by configuring our home router. This method may prove useful for families. Configuring the router, and password-protecting the router, will prevent family members from being able to circumvent OpenDNS by twiddling settings on individual PC’s.
There’s nothing to download, and it’s free. Just set your PC or (better yet) home router configuration to use the following two IP addresses for DNS: 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220.
Also see my post on ScrubIT.
Peter H. Gregory 
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I have done the changes as you said but I don’t see ANY difference. I can still access any website I like including gambling and XXX websites and it means that my kids can do the same. So, please explain what else is there to do.
I am sorry to hear of this trouble. The OpenDNS website has some troubleshooting that you can do that will tell you whether your system is configured correctly. For starters, the heading on the OpenDNS home page will tell you whether your computer (or network) are correctly configured. Look for the message “You’re using OpenDNS. Thanks!” If you do see that message, then you need to look at the configuration of OpenDNS itself. If you do not see that message, then you need to look at your computer or network configuration to see why OpenDNS is not being used to filter unwanted sites.
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