Seven Reasons to Switch to OpenDNS

Most of us connect to the net without a second thought, we switch on machines, boot up modems and let our internet service provider do the job of routing our browser’s requests for web pages etc. As you know, behind the scenes is a bunch of servers that converts something like “http://www.sciencetext.com” into an IP number that is allows the connection between browser and website to be made. The system in question is called DNS lookup, but your ISP’s DNS servers are most definitely not as powerful as they could be, which is where OpenDNS comes in. Here are seven good reasons to switch off your ISP’s DNS and use OpenDNS instead:

• Blocks phishing sites
• Fixes typos - type sciencetext.cmo in your address bar and OpenDNS spots the mistake and redirects to sciencetext.com
• Shortcuts - sure, browsers have address aliases, but OpenDNS makes these available to all machines and all browsers on your network. I type “st” from any of my SOHO machines in FF, O, or IE and get straight to sciencetext.com
• Blocks adult sites - if you’re getting too distracted while you’re supposed to be working, then put a stop to searching for lingerie for your partner by enabling adult blocking right at the DNS end of things.
• Keeps tabs on your network
• Allows custom image and message for you and your users, useful for a family or work network
• Blocks specific domains. Don’t want your staff, slaves, or kids to use Youtube or Facebook? block them!

Convinced? Simple instructions are available here on switching to OpenDNS.

UPDATE: Here’s another reason to use OpenDNS