How to Use OpenDNS for Website Blocking and Network Security

If you're looking to gain more control over your internet connection and have the ability to block certain websites or categories, using OpenDNS is an effective strategy. This guide walks you through setting up OpenDNS to manage website access from your network. Here's how you can set it up to make it difficult for others to bypass your settings.

Reasons to Use OpenDNS

1. Parental Controls: One main reason is to ensure that children do not have access to inappropriate material online.
2. Website Filtering: Allows filtering out different categories of websites such as pornography, spam, and even specific domains.

Benefits of OpenDNS

• Reliability: It has been used for years with positive results.
• Ease of Use: OpenDNS has a user-friendly interface and it is straightforward to set up.
• Network-wide Setup: Can be set up to work across entire networks, not just individual devices.
• Cost-Effective: Offers free home use options, including a family shield service.

Setup Steps for OpenDNS

1. Create an Account

   • Visit the OpenDNS home page and sign up for a free account. Fill out the necessary information.
   • Be mindful of complex password requirements and remember to save your password.

2. Set Up on Individual Computer

   • Use a web browser to sign up for a free OpenDNS account.
   • Log in and set up a network based on your external IP address.
   • Configure filters to block categories or specific websites.
   • Change DNS settings on your network adapter to use OpenDNS servers (208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220).

3. Block Specific Websites: Adjust filtering categories or block certain sites manually by adding their URLs to the block list.

Network-wide DNS Settings using Router

1. Connect to your router interface by finding the router IP address (usually found through ipconfig).
2. Navigate to router settings (e.g., for some routers, this is setup > basic setup > static DNS).
3. Enter the OpenDNS server addresses in the static DNS settings.
4. Save and apply the settings. Note that your router may need to reboot for changes to take effect.

Dealing with Dynamic IP Addresses

• DNS-O-Matic: Use a dynamic DNS service like DNS-O-Matic to update your OpenDNS account automatically with current IP address changes.
• Download and configure the OpenDNS Dynamic IP Updater Client for automatic IP updates.

Forcing Network-wide DNS Settings

Certain devices or savvy users may attempt to change DNS settings to bypass restrictions. Use your router settings for enforced network-wide DNS:

1. Enable “Force DNS Redirection” in your router settings.
2. Set up specific firewall commands via administration commands to ensure all outgoing DNS traffic routes through your designated OpenDNS server (Refer to your router's specific interface for steps).

Enhancing Network Security

For advanced and cost-effective control over DNS settings, you might consider turning a Raspberry Pi into your own DNS server, providing even more configuration flexibility.

By following these steps, you can effectively manage which websites can be accessed on your network, offering more security and control, especially useful in managing what content children can reach.