I recently came across a a free new web service that will make web browsing faster and safer. It's called OpenDNS. DNS stands for "Domain Name System" and you use it every time you type a web domain in your browser and press Enter. Web site address names need to be translated into their respective IP address. It is like a phone number or ID for a computer. For example, the IP address of www.mtholyoke.edu is 138.110.28.9. Put either in the address bar of your web browser and you'll arrive at the same web site, but www.mtholyoke.edu is easier to remember than 138.110.28.9.
OpenDNS can provide a faster Internet connection because it maintains a very large DNS cache. Meaning that if someone before you has been to a web site, OpenDNS will be able to serve up that address faster. Every ISP offers this service. You may not notice much of a speed difference if you have a large ISP, such as Comcast. However, if you have a local ISP provider you should see a speed increase.
Other than speed OpenDNS has other benefits, it protects you from phishing — bad websites trying to steal your personal information. When you try to go to a phishing site, they let you know. Phishing sites and malware are bigger threats now than viruses. You can optionally block adult sites as a category, or individual websites of any type. These services help you better protect those on your network from websites they shouldn't be visiting, such as, eBay or pornographic sites. You can track sites that were visited for each IP address on you network. There are graphical reports, as well as, comma delimited files that you can download. Ideally a web proxy would work better, but I do not hav ethe resources for a transparent proxy and a tech savvy user could easily disable the proxy settings in the a web browser.
You can also create web shortcuts. For example, when I type "mh" it takes me directly to the Mount Holyoke College web site.
There is no software to download and install. You simply edit the DNS server settings in your computer or router. Clear easy to follow step-by-step instructions are featured for Windows, Mac, Unix, mobile devices, routers and gaming consoles. the DNS server addresses:
- 208.67.222.222
- 208.67.220.220
The way OpenDNS makes money is when you mistype a URL. A search page appears with some Google text ads with suggestions for other web site addresses that are similar to what you typed. If is a common typo it will autocorrect the address.
The site has received positive reviews from PC World, Computerworld and the New York Times. Some individuals raise privacy concerns, because OpenDNS tracks the sites you visited, your IP address, browser type, operating system and so forth. However, every web site does that. We do it on the Alumnae Association web site via Google Analytics to see where people are coming from, what they are looking at and the type of browser they are using so we can be sure to keep our web site compatible. If you are concerned about privacy you probably should not be on the web or you should use a proxy/anonymizer, such as, TOR.
For me, OpenDNS is a helpful web enhancement and network managment tool both at home and the office.