Stephen Pontes [.com]

First off, what exactly is OpenDNS? From their website,

OpenDNS is the world’s most intelligent DNS service. Our global network and our software work together symbiotically to offer a set of features custom-tailored to you, without requiring you to buy any hardware or install any software.

Since most of that went over MY head the first time I read it, let’s get some background information on exactly what a DNS Server is / does.

Here’s how most users view the process of getting to google.com:

• Step one: Go to google.com in your browser.

While this might seem like a fairly straightforward process, there’s a lot more going on behind the scenes than you’d think! Google.com is a domain name: an alphanumeric placeholder for an actual IP address on the internet. Every destination on the Internet is assigned a unique IP address, much like everyone is assigned a unique cell phone number. When calling someone, you’re typically not typing in their phone number, but the name you’ve assigned them in your address book. Domain names work in much the same way. Behind the scenes you’re still dialing the IP address; the domain name just makes it easier to get where you’re going.

A DNS (Domain Name System) Server, is an address book not just for you, but the entire internet. These servers manage the various .com’s, .net’s, .org’s among others. There’s a great article from wikipedia on DNS servers if you want to read more in depth on the subject. With the billions of internet users, no single server would be able to handle the number of requests for lookups. You, an end user, typically use your ISP’s (Internet Service Provider) DNS servers, which communicate with the “higher up” DNS servers. Charter, Comcast, RoadRunner and Time Warner are all service providers that run their own DNS servers that end users interface with. Because these ISP’s own these DNS Servers, they can control what you see and don’t see on the internet. If they choose, they can block you from reaching certain websites, and even redirect you to sites you’re not intending to reach! Here’s where OpenDNS comes in.

OpenDNS is a free DNS server that operates without limitations on what you can and can’t see on the internet. Untouched by your ISP, they’re not tainted by anyone’s policies or user agreements. OpenDNS allows you to browse the Internet how it was meant to be browsed: Openly. They also offer you customizable options to block certain materials (at your discretion, not someone else’s) and phishing attacks. In addition, they’re typically faster than the ISP’s DNS Servers at looking up IP addresses…meaning your internet browsing seems snappier.

While in Redding, I was unfortunate enough to experience the wonders of Charter “high speed” internet. I’m currently running OS 10.5 (Leopard) on my MacBook Pro. Charter was unable to diagnose my issue with extremely slow load times for web browsing. I guessed it was an issue with their DNS Servers. After switching to OpenDNS, pages loaded instantly.

The bottom line is that OpenDNS is more benefit than detriment, and I think everyone should enjoy it as much as I do! OpenDNS has some fairly straightforward instructions, but feel free to comment if you’re running into issues getting it implemented.