OpenDNS: A Comprehensive Guide

OpenDNS

OpenDNS is a popular and well known cybersecurity tool that offers many services including DNS services, phishing protection and content filtering. This glossary article will cover OpenDNS, its features and its role in cybersecurity.

OpenDNS was launched in 2006 as a company that provided DNS resolution services. Over the years it has evolved into a full cybersecurity solution called OpenDNS Umbrella which protects users from online threats and provides a safer and faster internet. When Cisco acquired OpenDNS it rebranded it as Cisco Umbrella to tie in with its cloud security offerings and advanced malware and phishing protection.

The Domain Name System (DNS) is the backbone of the internet that translates human readable domain names into numerical IP addresses. This is important because computers and devices connected to the internet use these IP addresses to identify and communicate with each other.

When you type a URL into your browser a DNS server is queried to find the IP address. Once the IP address is found your browser can then load the page. This is called DNS resolution.

What is OpenDNS?

OpenDNS is a cloud security solution that makes home and business networks safer and faster. By using the Domain Name System (DNS) OpenDNS blocks malicious websites, filters out unwanted content and gives you faster and more reliable internet. This extra layer of protection helps you surf the internet safer and more efficiently.

About OpenDNS

OpenDNS was developed by the US company Cisco and is a security tool. Launched in 2006 OpenDNS has grown to offer many services including phishing protection, content filtering and faster internet. Cisco which acquired OpenDNS continues to innovate and update the service so it remains a leading solution in the cybersecurity space.

OpenDNS Features

OpenDNS has many features that make it useful for internet security and performance:

Phishing Protection: OpenDNS warns you before you access a suspicious page so you’re protected from external threats like phishing, malware and botnets.

Content Filtering: With OpenDNS you can block unwanted content by choosing from pre-defined categories or create your own. This is useful for parents and businesses.

Faster Internet: OpenDNS uses its own servers so you get faster internet than your internet service provider’s DNS.

Domain Name Resolution: OpenDNS translates domain names into IP addresses so you can communicate better on the internet.

IP Address Conversion: The service speeds up the domain name resolution so you get faster and more reliable internet.

OpenDNS Servers and DNS Resolution

OpenDNS provides DNS resolution services but with a difference. Unlike traditional DNS servers that just translate domain names into IP addresses OpenDNS does a DNS lookup and adds an extra layer of security by checking the requested domain against its database of known malicious websites.

If the domain is found in the database OpenDNS will use its name servers to block the connection and protect the user from threats like phishing and malware. This proactive approach to security is what sets OpenDNS apart from traditional DNS services.

How OpenDNS Works

OpenDNS uses a public DNS server to speed up the domain name resolution. Unlike your internet service provider’s DNS OpenDNS offers better security, faster internet and more robust content filtering. As a cloud service OpenDNS provides advanced network security and internet infrastructure services so it’s the choice for individuals and businesses that need home internet and enterprise level protection.

Why Use OpenDNS for DNS

One of the benefits of using OpenDNS for DNS is speed. OpenDNS has a network of DNS servers around the world so it can provide faster and more reliable DNS than many Internet Service Providers (ISPs).

Another benefit is the extra layer of security OpenDNS provides. By blocking connections to known malicious websites OpenDNS protects users from many online threats. It’s a useful tool for individual users and businesses that want to boost their cybersecurity. OpenDNS Enterprise launched in 2009 as a premium content filtering service offers advanced features and content filtering solutions by using a recursive DNS resolver. Under Cisco Systems it was rebranded and expanded to add more security features.

Getting Started with OpenDNS

Setting up OpenDNS is easy and can be done in 3 simple steps. Whether you’re using it for personal or business use you’ll get better security and faster internet.

How to Configure OpenDNS

1. Sign Up: Go to the OpenDNS website and create an account.

2. Download and Install the OpenDNS Client: Install the OpenDNS client on your computer or device.

3. Configure the OpenDNS Client: Set the OpenDNS client to use OpenDNS servers.

4. Set your router: Configure your router to use the OpenDNS servers so all devices on your network get the service.

5. Test your internet: Test your internet to make sure OpenDNS is working.

Note: The free version of OpenDNS, OpenDNS Home has a limit of 300,000 DNS requests per day. This is enough for a small business with 15 computers and moderate internet usage. But for larger businesses or high DNS traffic organizations it’s recommended to upgrade to a paid plan to avoid service disruption and get more features.

Follow these steps and you’re all set to get a safer, faster and more reliable internet.

Phishing

Phishing is an online scam where attackers try to trick users into revealing sensitive information like passwords or credit card numbers by pretending to be a legitimate entity. OpenDNS offers robust phishing protection including dynamic and emerging phishing sites.

OpenDNS has a regularly updated database of known phishing websites. When a user tries to visit one of these websites OpenDNS will block the connection and prevent the user from getting phished.

How OpenDNS Detects Phishing Sites

OpenDNS uses a combination of machine learning algorithms and threat intelligence feeds to detect phishing websites. These algorithms analyze various attributes of a website like domain name, hosting provider and content of the site to determine if it’s used for phishing.

Once a website is detected as a phishing site it’s added to the OpenDNS database. This database is updated regularly to keep users protected from latest phishing threats.

OpenDNS Phishing Protection Benefits

The main benefit of OpenDNS phishing protection is that it adds an extra layer of security for users. By blocking access to known phishing websites OpenDNS prevents users from accidentally revealing their sensitive information to attackers.

Another benefit is that OpenDNS phishing protection is easy to use. Users don’t need to install any extra software or hardware to get this protection. All they need to do is configure their device to use OpenDNS DNS servers and they will be protected from known phishing websites.

Content Filtering

Content filtering is another feature of OpenDNS. This feature allows users to block access to specific types of content like adult content, social media sites, video streaming services. This can be very useful for parents who want to control what their kids can access online or for businesses who want to limit what their employees can access during work hours.

OpenDNS content filtering is highly customizable. Users can choose from pre-defined categories to block or create their own custom categories. This gives users the flexibility to tailor the content filtering to their needs.

How OpenDNS Content Filtering Works

OpenDNS content filtering works by checking the requested domain against its database of categorized websites. If the domain is found in a category the user has chosen to block OpenDNS will block the connection.

This is transparent to the user. When a site is blocked the user will see a message in their browser saying the site can’t be accessed. This makes OpenDNS content filtering easy to use even for users with no technical knowledge.

OpenDNS Content Filtering Benefits

The main benefit of OpenDNS content filtering is that it gives users control over what content can be accessed from their network. This can help protect kids from inappropriate content, prevent employees from wasting time on non-work related sites and even help users focus on work or study when they need to.

Another benefit is that OpenDNS content filtering is cloud based so it can be managed from anywhere. This makes it a convenient solution for parents or businesses that need to manage content filtering for multiple devices or locations.

OpenDNS is a cybersecurity tool that offers DNS resolution services, phishing protection and content filtering. By adding an extra layer of security to the DNS resolution OpenDNS protects users from many online threats.

Whether you’re an individual looking to boost your personal security, a parent looking to protect your kids from inappropriate content or a business looking to secure your networkOpenDNS has you covered.