Comments on: OpenDNS Works As A Great Free Web Content Filtering Solution http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/opendns-works-as-a-great-free-content-filtering-solution/ Cool Websites, Software and Internet Tips Mon, 23 Nov 2009 09:16:27 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: DodaPedia » Opera Unite – File Sharing, Messaging, Note Taking & more Right in your Browser http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/opendns-works-as-a-great-free-content-filtering-solution/comment-page-1/#comment-392706 DodaPedia » Opera Unite – File Sharing, Messaging, Note Taking & more Right in your Browser Tue, 07 Jul 2009 08:42:23 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/?p=6942#comment-392706 [...] without the hassle of manually installing various software, configuring them and getting a DNS (Domain Name System) account. It also makes the installation of new functionality a “point [...] [...] without the hassle of manually installing various software, configuring them and getting a DNS (Domain Name System) account. It also makes the installation of new functionality a “point [...]

]]> By: Opera Unite – File Sharing, Messaging, Note Taking more Right in your Browser | Geeker http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/opendns-works-as-a-great-free-content-filtering-solution/comment-page-1/#comment-392498 Opera Unite – File Sharing, Messaging, Note Taking more Right in your Browser | Geeker Sun, 05 Jul 2009 21:20:29 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/?p=6942#comment-392498 [...] without the hassle of manually installing various software, configuring them and getting a DNS (Domain Name System) account. It also makes the installation of new functionality a “point [...] [...] without the hassle of manually installing various software, configuring them and getting a DNS (Domain Name System) account. It also makes the installation of new functionality a “point [...]

]]> By: Speed up Windows http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/opendns-works-as-a-great-free-content-filtering-solution/comment-page-1/#comment-352727 Speed up Windows Fri, 31 Oct 2008 16:08:10 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/?p=6942#comment-352727 Is OpenDNS anything like ODS.org? Is OpenDNS anything like ODS.org?

]]> By: Business Hacks mobile edition http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/opendns-works-as-a-great-free-content-filtering-solution/comment-page-1/#comment-352522 Business Hacks mobile edition Thu, 30 Oct 2008 15:16:13 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/?p=6942#comment-352522 [...] OpenDNS service to filter content and even protect employees from phishing. MakeUseOf shows you how to set up and use OpenDNS as a free content-filtering system. It's literally a three-step process, the result of which is that all your Internet traffic gets [...] [...] OpenDNS service to filter content and even protect employees from phishing. MakeUseOf shows you how to set up and use OpenDNS as a free content-filtering system. It’s literally a three-step process, the result of which is that all your Internet traffic gets [...]

]]> By: TheOzz http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/opendns-works-as-a-great-free-content-filtering-solution/comment-page-1/#comment-352509 TheOzz Thu, 30 Oct 2008 12:09:24 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/?p=6942#comment-352509 David, I don't think you have a true grasp of what people are capable of. I once had a HR manager who used IPs to visit porn sites from his company issued laptop. And kids are way more creative on the Internet than most adults can begin to comprehend. I spent many years as a sysadmin and you don't always have the freedom to just lock down desktop functionality due to organization leadership wishes. Sometimes on a strapped budget you have to start logging traffic and knocking down the bad site by IP with ACLs or filters. most companies want to do this (in the US). I had a different set of rules to follow in Quebec. By the way, a Linux based router/firewall built on an old PC chassis with two NICs is the best low cost solution for traffic control on a tight budget, even at home. David,
I don’t think you have a true grasp of what people are capable of. I once had a HR manager who used IPs to visit porn sites from his company issued laptop. And kids are way more creative on the Internet than most adults can begin to comprehend.

I spent many years as a sysadmin and you don’t always have the freedom to just lock down desktop functionality due to organization leadership wishes. Sometimes on a strapped budget you have to start logging traffic and knocking down the bad site by IP with ACLs or filters. most companies want to do this (in the US). I had a different set of rules to follow in Quebec. By the way, a Linux based router/firewall built on an old PC chassis with two NICs is the best low cost solution for traffic control on a tight budget, even at home.

]]> By: shoeyhobit http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/opendns-works-as-a-great-free-content-filtering-solution/comment-page-1/#comment-352452 shoeyhobit Thu, 30 Oct 2008 05:35:58 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/?p=6942#comment-352452 I also use the iBoss. No loss of speed. In fact, the iboss seems to be the best parental control out there. I have a mac, linux and windows machine on my network. Its so simple to install and have not seen my kids get passed it. Filters chat, torrents, proxies, with no problem. Paid about $79 for the hardware and $50/year but thats what it would cost to convert hardware to openDNS anyhow. No speed loss here either. Its really one of the best. I went from my netopia which I liked but they discontinued it to the iBoss. Glad I did. No question the best I have seen yet. I can set different filtering rules on the same computer so my 6 year old and my teenager can surf on the same computer yet with different rules. Also, I can cut off internet on Sun. for the sabbath but allow my Tivo to run. Things like that are just worth the money for piece of mind and simplicity. Hey in life, you get what you pay for :) I also use the iBoss. No loss of speed. In fact, the iboss seems to be the best parental control out there. I have a mac, linux and windows machine on my network. Its so simple to install and have not seen my kids get passed it. Filters chat, torrents, proxies, with no problem. Paid about $79 for the hardware and $50/year but thats what it would cost to convert hardware to openDNS anyhow. No speed loss here either. Its really one of the best. I went from my netopia which I liked but they discontinued it to the iBoss. Glad I did. No question the best I have seen yet. I can set different filtering rules on the same computer so my 6 year old and my teenager can surf on the same computer yet with different rules. Also, I can cut off internet on Sun. for the sabbath but allow my Tivo to run. Things like that are just worth the money for piece of mind and simplicity. Hey in life, you get what you pay for :)

]]> By: TRBC http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/opendns-works-as-a-great-free-content-filtering-solution/comment-page-1/#comment-352423 TRBC Thu, 30 Oct 2008 00:00:08 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/?p=6942#comment-352423 I agree with TheOzz, teens do navigate by IP. I have personally seen it. If I am a teen, and need to get to myspace, I most defiantely will figure out the IP and keep it on a list. Its not that they navigate, just keep a list of the common sites they visit and blocked. Most teens visit the same sites all the time, myspace, facebook, porn. They know the IP to get around OpenDNS. Just type it in. Not difficult at all. What about applications, what do we do with those. Also, what about proxies? What about proxy sites that do the work for you allowing you to enter the website you need to get to? No need to worry about IP. They handle it for you. Its ignorant to think that teens and kids will not sit there to figure out how to bypass any filter. They will spend day night and speak to friends to do this. I googled bypass OpenDNS and here you go: http://saritem.wordpress.com/2008/04/10/how-to-bypass-opendns/ this is the tip of the iceberg. I found that while I can sit there and spend time setting up the OpenDNS and buying the WRT which is about 50-80 dollars. Just easier to by netnanny or something similar and have them do the work. About $39/yr but they have tech support. Also, K9 is free so thats just even simpler. I agree with TheOzz, teens do navigate by IP. I have personally seen it. If I am a teen, and need to get to myspace, I most defiantely will figure out the IP and keep it on a list. Its not that they navigate, just keep a list of the common sites they visit and blocked. Most teens visit the same sites all the time, myspace, facebook, porn. They know the IP to get around OpenDNS. Just type it in. Not difficult at all. What about applications, what do we do with those. Also, what about proxies? What about proxy sites that do the work for you allowing you to enter the website you need to get to? No need to worry about IP. They handle it for you. Its ignorant to think that teens and kids will not sit there to figure out how to bypass any filter. They will spend day night and speak to friends to do this. I googled bypass OpenDNS and here you go:

http://saritem.wordpress.com/2008/04/10/how-to-bypass-opendns/

this is the tip of the iceberg. I found that while I can sit there and spend time setting up the OpenDNS and buying the WRT which is about 50-80 dollars. Just easier to by netnanny or something similar and have them do the work. About $39/yr but they have tech support. Also, K9 is free so thats just even simpler.

]]> By: scotty1 http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/opendns-works-as-a-great-free-content-filtering-solution/comment-page-1/#comment-352416 scotty1 Wed, 29 Oct 2008 23:44:09 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/?p=6942#comment-352416 gotta say, we are using the iBoss and it is a awesome device. I converted to openDNS for a while until I found out that it was SUPER easy to bypass. OpenDNS can not filter proxies, AOL trident chat, torrents, etc. It is good for a basic filter for a child below 8 years old but when you get older kids or teens, forget about it. Go to www.proxify.com and have at it. By pass OpenDNS all day and all night. It cant do anything. You can add proxify.com to the list but good luck since they add direct IP address all the time for example 66.98.179.210. So you are playing cat and mouse. The iBoss was fantastic. Filtering the web is not about just some websites but the more robust. Also, my first concerns were with speed slowdown. I tested the iBoss and got over 20 Megs out of it. Thats not slow in my eyes. It is not a proxy and uses my own bandwidth. Hey doorknob60, you mention your parents bought the iBoss, why would you be so happy the got the OpenDNS? Was it easier to bypass:). I do think openDNS is good but not robust enough. Has anyone tried to see how many leaks are open. gotta say, we are using the iBoss and it is a awesome device. I converted to openDNS for a while until I found out that it was SUPER easy to bypass. OpenDNS can not filter proxies, AOL trident chat, torrents, etc. It is good for a basic filter for a child below 8 years old but when you get older kids or teens, forget about it. Go to http://www.proxify.com and have at it. By pass OpenDNS all day and all night. It cant do anything. You can add proxify.com to the list but good luck since they add direct IP address all the time for example 66.98.179.210. So you are playing cat and mouse. The iBoss was fantastic. Filtering the web is not about just some websites but the more robust. Also, my first concerns were with speed slowdown. I tested the iBoss and got over 20 Megs out of it. Thats not slow in my eyes. It is not a proxy and uses my own bandwidth. Hey doorknob60, you mention your parents bought the iBoss, why would you be so happy the got the OpenDNS? Was it easier to bypass:). I do think openDNS is good but not robust enough. Has anyone tried to see how many leaks are open.

]]> By: The Windows Fix http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/opendns-works-as-a-great-free-content-filtering-solution/comment-page-1/#comment-352406 The Windows Fix Wed, 29 Oct 2008 22:33:46 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/?p=6942#comment-352406 OpenDNS is one of coolest projects I've seen in quite a while. Really puts a hit on content filterting software. OpenDNS is one of coolest projects I’ve seen in quite a while. Really puts a hit on content filterting software.

]]> By: doorknob60 http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/opendns-works-as-a-great-free-content-filtering-solution/comment-page-1/#comment-352397 doorknob60 Wed, 29 Oct 2008 21:43:20 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/?p=6942#comment-352397 Woulda liked to hear about this like 6 months ago...my parents bought this crappy iBoss router and I suffered with reduced internet speed and reliability for a while, then I found OpenDNS about a month ago, and it works great :) Woulda liked to hear about this like 6 months ago…my parents bought this crappy iBoss router and I suffered with reduced internet speed and reliability for a while, then I found OpenDNS about a month ago, and it works great :)

]]> By: David Ulevitch http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/opendns-works-as-a-great-free-content-filtering-solution/comment-page-1/#comment-352388 David Ulevitch Wed, 29 Oct 2008 21:00:38 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/?p=6942#comment-352388 TheOzz, Most network administrators lock down desktops and unless you are logged in as an administrator you can't change the DNS or use a hosts file. And if you have tried, you'll know navigating by IP is impractical. We are a content filter, and if and when we need to proxy traffic, we will. Thus far, we haven't needed to do anything like that which is part of why we're growing so quickly. People recognize our service meets their needs. As we expand and see areas where we need to improve, we'll do that. We are heads-down, focused, and with an ear pointed at our customers to listen. Also, your second example is just not practical, at all. :-( Appreciate the feedback though. :-) TheOzz,

Most network administrators lock down desktops and unless you are logged in as an administrator you can’t change the DNS or use a hosts file. And if you have tried, you’ll know navigating by IP is impractical.

We are a content filter, and if and when we need to proxy traffic, we will. Thus far, we haven’t needed to do anything like that which is part of why we’re growing so quickly. People recognize our service meets their needs. As we expand and see areas where we need to improve, we’ll do that. We are heads-down, focused, and with an ear pointed at our customers to listen.

Also, your second example is just not practical, at all. :-(

Appreciate the feedback though. :-)

]]> By: TheOzz http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/opendns-works-as-a-great-free-content-filtering-solution/comment-page-1/#comment-352380 TheOzz Wed, 29 Oct 2008 20:35:09 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/?p=6942#comment-352380 Sounds great, but does nothing for folks who make a list of IPs and either go directly to the site by IP or create a custom host file on their PC that takes presidency over DNS server lookups. Content filters and proxy servers do a much better job. Bluecoat, one of the industry leaders in proxy appliances, produces a free content filter for home called K9 Web Protection. Another low cost alternative is to create accounts on home and work PCs that limit the ability to clear cache. View cache once in a while to see what folds are accessing. Then create block rules on your router to block access to those "bad" IP addresses. Sounds great, but does nothing for folks who make a list of IPs and either go directly to the site by IP or create a custom host file on their PC that takes presidency over DNS server lookups. Content filters and proxy servers do a much better job. Bluecoat, one of the industry leaders in proxy appliances, produces a free content filter for home called K9 Web Protection.

Another low cost alternative is to create accounts on home and work PCs that limit the ability to clear cache. View cache once in a while to see what folds are accessing. Then create block rules on your router to block access to those “bad” IP addresses.

]]> By: Allison http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/opendns-works-as-a-great-free-content-filtering-solution/comment-page-1/#comment-352370 Allison Wed, 29 Oct 2008 19:27:03 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/?p=6942#comment-352370 @Ram - OpenDNS doesn't, nor ever would, sell information about you. We say this explicitly in our privacy policy: www.opendns.com/privacy Happy to answer any other questions you have about the service. Thanks! Allison Rhodes OpenDNS.com @Ram – OpenDNS doesn’t, nor ever would, sell information about you. We say this explicitly in our privacy policy: http://www.opendns.com/privacy

Happy to answer any other questions you have about the service.

Thanks!

Allison Rhodes
OpenDNS.com

]]> By: Karl L. Gechlik http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/opendns-works-as-a-great-free-content-filtering-solution/comment-page-1/#comment-352363 Karl L. Gechlik Wed, 29 Oct 2008 18:46:42 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/?p=6942#comment-352363 I only ask because i am trying to help OnlineAlias. I use OpenDNS and I would hit the same URL and see where it takes me. But if you do not need my help - then by all means don't reply! :) I only ask because i am trying to help OnlineAlias. I use OpenDNS and I would hit the same URL and see where it takes me. But if you do not need my help – then by all means don’t reply! :)

]]> By: onlinealias http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/opendns-works-as-a-great-free-content-filtering-solution/comment-page-1/#comment-352362 onlinealias Wed, 29 Oct 2008 18:41:03 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/?p=6942#comment-352362 The URL for my e-mail is saved in my browser so there is no chance of a typographical error. The URL for my e-mail is saved in my browser so there is no chance of a typographical error.

]]> By: Karl L. Gechlik http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/opendns-works-as-a-great-free-content-filtering-solution/comment-page-1/#comment-352361 Karl L. Gechlik Wed, 29 Oct 2008 18:37:16 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/?p=6942#comment-352361 What is the url you type to get to your email? The only redirects OpenDNS does is when a URL is commonly misspelled - if you type google.con it will open up a google results page with (most likely) the site you were TRYING to get to. This is much better then getting hijacked to a look-a-like site. ESPECIALLY if it is a banking, email or other confidential type of site! What is the url you type to get to your email? The only redirects OpenDNS does is when a URL is commonly misspelled – if you type google.con it will open up a google results page with (most likely) the site you were TRYING to get to. This is much better then getting hijacked to a look-a-like site. ESPECIALLY if it is a banking, email or other confidential type of site!

]]> By: onlinealias http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/opendns-works-as-a-great-free-content-filtering-solution/comment-page-1/#comment-352360 onlinealias Wed, 29 Oct 2008 18:31:47 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/?p=6942#comment-352360 I tried OPENDNS and they redirected my browser to their site whenever I tried to check my e-mail. I tried OPENDNS and they redirected my browser to their site whenever I tried to check my e-mail.

]]> By: Karl L. Gechlik http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/opendns-works-as-a-great-free-content-filtering-solution/comment-page-1/#comment-352356 Karl L. Gechlik Wed, 29 Oct 2008 17:24:10 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/?p=6942#comment-352356 I have read that they were making around $20k a month (and this was about a year ago) from their adsense on their typo Google searches. This should be enough revenue to not want to alienate their user base... What do you think? I have read that they were making around $20k a month (and this was about a year ago) from their adsense on their typo Google searches. This should be enough revenue to not want to alienate their user base… What do you think?

]]> By: Ram http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/opendns-works-as-a-great-free-content-filtering-solution/comment-page-1/#comment-352345 Ram Wed, 29 Oct 2008 16:37:05 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/?p=6942#comment-352345 It sounds great but I still have privacy concerns. They say they sell your information and browsing habits but never something that directly identifies you. I decide to trust my ISP because 1) I have to 2) they are money-making businesses that don't want bad publicity These folk? They offer this for free. Hmmmm... Always makes me hesitant, a little. It sounds great but I still have privacy concerns.
They say they sell your information and browsing habits but never something that directly identifies you.
I decide to trust my ISP because 1) I have to 2) they are money-making businesses that don’t want bad publicity

These folk? They offer this for free. Hmmmm… Always makes me hesitant, a little.

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