OpenDNS

**Please note, this is a repost from Geeks.Pirillo.com, dated September 26, 2008 at 12:25am**

Yesterday, on the unofficial Geeks.Pirillo.Com Ventrilo Server, I found out about something.
A Friend of mine, called Chronidus, directed me to a service called OpenDNS.

DNS stands for ‘Domain Name Server’.
Basically, when your Internet Browser, goes to a webpage, such as “http://Geeks.Pirillo.com/”, it contacts your ISPs (Internet Service Provider, like Comcast, or FiOS) DNS. The DNS then proceeds to translate that text address  http://Geeks.Pirillo.Com/) and change it to an IP Address. (In this case, this site is hosted at “http://8.6.19.68/”.
Once your computer has that IP Address, it can directly communicate with that site. Think of it as the White Pages of the Internet. You look for Aaronson A, you get his phone number 01234567. You call him directly.

Normally, unless you have a super cool ISP from Space, your ISP will have a pretty Grey-Box like DNS. It might offer extra features, but normally at an extra, monthly, cost. For free, It will just do its job. Full stop.

OpenDNS is different. It is a free service, that allows you to, instead of using your ISPs DNS, (or WhitePages), you can use OpenDNSs. It adds extra features, such as Phishing Protection. OpenDNS uses an online index called PhishTank, which is the biggest list of known Phishing Sites available on the internet. Now, rather than buying software that chews up memory, or paying your ISP extra for that protection, you can run through OpenDNS, and get it done for free.

Another cool feature, that I have never seen included or offered at any ISP, is Typo-Correction. I am a self confessed fast typer, and occasionally miss a key or two. For example, if I typed http://Geeks.Pirillo.cm/, I would normally get an error. With OpenDNS, it sees my typo, and sends me to the correct address! I see it as a really handy feature, that makes using the Internet even more seamless. They have extended on this Typo feature, by allowing you to add your own ‘Shortcuts’. For example, one I have added, allows me to just type ‘geeks’ into the address bar, and press enter. (For you Sysadmins, thats http://geeks/) This sends me straight to http://Geeks.Pirillo.com/. Love it.

If you live with a family, OpenDNS also offers Parental Control, that is Fully Customisable, and it kept healthy, as OpenDNS runs a community that keeps each Category up to date. (For example, Pornography, Dating, etc).

The best thing I love about OpenDNS is that it is self-customisable. On the error pages presented if you reach a blocked or phishing site, you can set a Logo to be displayed. Have Custom Error messages, and contact details.

When I first looked at this, I saw where the DNS servers are located. Only in the US and Europe. I almost turned away right then. My Internet was already slow enough in Australia, without being funneled down a pipe, towards the Northern Hemisphere. I decided, however, to give it a go. I noticed immediately that my Internet is faster. Not KB/s wise, but the amount of time it takes to translate the sites address, and connect me, has dramatically lowered to a point where, my entire network now uses it.

If you think OpenDNS is right for you, go to http://www.OpenDNS.com/ and follow the instructions. They have instructions on how to set it up for almost every Operating System and Router available.