Have you heard about OpenDNS to improve your browsing, but you do not know what it is and how to use it? Here you will find a small introduction where I will explain what DNS is and how OpenDNS can change the way you navigate.
At the end I will show you how to use OpenDNS on your devices and how to configure them on your router, so as to benefit all the devices connected to your WiFi or LAN.
What are DNS
DNS or better DNS servers are an important component for Internet browsing, since they deal with translating IP addresses into URL addresses (and vice versa).
When you type a web address in your web browser (like www.google.com) your browser contacts the DNS servers to “translate” this request into the IP address of the Google server closest to you. At the end www.google.com will become 64.233.167.99, which is one of the IP addresses assigned to the Google Italia server. You will not notice any difference, but every time you browse a site the DNS servers are contacted to be able to route your request to the right server, so as not to “make a mistake”.
DNS servers are usually provided by the Internet service provider; then TIM, Infostrada, Fastweb, Vodafone etc. they have their own DNS servers for users who connect to the Internet through their services. If you are having problems with your operator’s DNS servers you can change them at any time and use other DNS services.
DNS servers are also used as a filtering system, in fact, blocking a certain type of DNS requests can make access to a site null, even typing the URL address correctly. This method is used by Italian providers to block access to pirated sites or sites subject to restriction by the judicial authorities; this blocking power, however, is not present on foreign DNS services, which you can then use to circumvent this type of block.
OpenDNS server: what they are for
The OpenDNS servers are among the most used for those who want to change those provided by the provider together with the DNS Google and Dns Cloudflare. These servers are reliable, secure, do not impose any filter on site navigation and are easy to configure (as you’ll see later).
In addition to making the navigation free filtering, can be configured to set personal filters based on the content, then acting as a sort of Parental Control with which to prevent the display of certain categories of sites (porn, hazard, tarot etc.).
The configuration of OpenDNS servers can be done by registering for the service; to do this you can use the link below.
LINK | Official Website Open DNS
This step is not however essential to use the OpenDNS, just use the following ip addresses where required:
- 208.67.222.222
- 208.67.220.220
How to use OpenDNS on Windows
To use OpenDNS on your PC with Windows, simply open the menu Network and Sharing Center accessible by right-clicking on the network icon, at the bottom right.
In the window that will open, click on the left side of the Change settings tab.
Right-click on the network you are using and then click on Properties.
In the new window select Internet Protocol version 4 (TCP / IPv4) and click Properties.
You’ll finally be right at the window where you configure DNS. Click on the option Use the following DNS server addresses and configure DNS.
Click OK to make the changes effective.
How to use OpenDNS in the router
If you have other devices besides Windows connected to your network you can make them take advantage of the DNS configuring them inside the router (if the latter allows the modification). Enter the router or modem configuration panel by typing in the address bar of the web browser:
192.168.1.1
or
192.168.0.1
Modems and routers are all different from each other, but you can configure OpenDNS servers in the Internet, LAN, WAN or DHCP section and looking for DNS or DNS Server. As soon as you find the right entry, enter the OpenDNS servers to start using them.