OpenDNS icon

OpenDNS

OpenDNS is a leading DNS-based security service that provides robust protection against phishing and malicious websites. By intercepting and analyzing DNS requests, it helps users and organizations prevent access to dangerous online content, offering enhanced security and control over internet usage. Developed by OpenDNS

License: Commercial
Available for:
Web

About OpenDNS

OpenDNS offers a comprehensive suite of security and control features delivered through its intelligent DNS resolution service. At its core, OpenDNS acts as your internet's first line of defense, preventing your browser from even visiting websites known to host malware, ransomware, and phishing schemes. This proactive approach significantly reduces the risk of infection and data theft. Beyond basic security, OpenDNS provides powerful content filtering options, allowing users, parents, and administrators to block access to specific categories of websites, such as adult content, social media, or gaming sites. This granular control is invaluable for improving productivity in a business environment or ensuring a safe online experience for children. Key features include:
  • Advanced Threat Detection: Utilizes real-time threat intelligence to identify and block access to harmful domains and IP addresses.
  • Granular Content Filtering: Offers customizable blocking policies based on categories and individual domains.
  • Detailed Usage Reporting: Provides insights into internet activity, blocked requests, and security events.
  • Phishing Protection: Specifically targets and prevents access to phishing sites designed to steal personal information.
  • Parental Controls: Empowers parents to protect their children from inappropriate online content and manage screen time.
OpenDNS operates at the network level, meaning protection is applied to all devices connected to the network using their servers, offering a consistent and easy-to-manage security layer without the need for individual software installations on each device. Its emphasis on security and privacy, combined with powerful filtering and reporting capabilities, makes it a compelling solution for both home and business users seeking a safer and more controlled internet experience.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Effective DNS-based threat blocking.
  • Granular and customizable content filtering.
  • Network-level protection for all devices.
  • No software installation required on individual devices.
  • Detailed reporting for monitoring and analysis.

Cons

  • Requires changing network DNS settings.
  • Some advanced features require paid subscriptions.
  • Relies solely on DNS; does not inspect content within encrypted connections unless integrated with other solutions.

What Makes OpenDNS Stand Out

Network-Level Protection

Security is applied at the DNS level, protecting all devices on the network without needing individual software installations.

Proactive Security

Blocks threats before they reach your device by preventing access to malicious domains.

Customizable Filtering

Offers extensive control over what content is accessible, catering to both security and productivity needs.

What can OpenDNS do?

Review

OpenDNS Review

OpenDNS is a widely recognized and respected provider of DNS-based security and content filtering services. At its core, the service operates by providing an alternative set of DNS servers that users can configure on their routers or individual devices. When a user attempts to access a website, the request is sent to OpenDNS's servers for resolution. This is where OpenDNS implements its intelligence and security checks.

The primary strength of OpenDNS lies in its ability to block access to malicious and unwanted websites at the DNS level. This means that your browser or application never even attempts to connect to a harmful site if OpenDNS identifies it as such. This proactive approach is a significant advantage over traditional security software that might only detect threats after the connection has been established or a file has been downloaded. OpenDNS maintains extensive databases of known phishing sites, malware distribution domains, and other potentially dangerous online locations. By leveraging this real-time threat intelligence, it provides a robust first line of defense against a wide range of online threats.

Beyond core security, OpenDNS offers powerful content filtering capabilities. This feature allows users to categorize websites and create policies that block access to specific categories, such as adult content, illegal activities, social networking, or even streaming media. This is particularly useful for businesses looking to improve employee productivity by restricting access to non-work-related sites or for parents who want to ensure a safe online environment for their children. The level of granularity in filtering is commendable, allowing for fine-tuning of policies based on specific needs. Users can also block or allow individual domains, overriding category-based settings for specific exceptions.

Reporting is another strong area for OpenDNS. For users who configure their network to use OpenDNS (especially with a registered account), detailed reports on internet activity, blocked requests, and security events are available. These reports provide valuable insights into network usage patterns, the types of threats being blocked, and policy compliance. This data can be crucial for administrators to understand online behavior and identify potential security risks within their network.

The deployment of OpenDNS is relatively straightforward. For home users, it often involves changing the DNS settings on their router. For businesses, the process might involve configuring DNS settings on servers or deploying a small agent for more granular control and reporting. The network-level nature of the protection means that once configured, all devices connected to that network benefit from the OpenDNS service without requiring individual software installations.

OpenDNS operates with a focus on privacy, particularly with its public DNS resolvers which generally adhere to a no-logs policy for personally identifiable information. While there are paid tiers that offer more advanced features and reporting, which may involve some level of data collection for analysis, the company generally maintains a strong stance on user privacy compared to some other online services.

In summary, OpenDNS provides a highly effective and easy-to-implement solution for enhancing online security and controlling internet access. Its proactive threat blocking at the DNS level, coupled with robust and customizable content filtering and valuable reporting, makes it a compelling choice for both individuals and organizations seeking a safer and more managed internet experience. While it may not be a complete replacement for traditional antivirus and firewall solutions, it serves as a powerful foundational layer of defense against a significant portion of online threats.

Similar Software

1.1.1.1
1.1.1.1

1.1.1.1 is a VPN and DNS security app to improve security and privacy of internet access.

Google Public DNS
Google Public DNS

Google Public DNS is a free DNS service offered by Google.

Qustodio
Qustodio

Qustodio is a parental control app for Android.

Screenshots

Help others by voting if you like this software.

Compare with Similar Apps

Select any similar app below to compare it with OpenDNS side by side.

Compare features, pricing, and reviews between these alternatives.

Compare

Compare features, pricing, and reviews between these alternatives.

Compare

Compare features, pricing, and reviews between these alternatives.

Compare