Configure your Computers with OpenDNS
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Critical Sites
edit| link | Web Page | Desc |
|---|---|---|
| https://www.opendns.com/ | OpenDNS | This is the Main Site for opendns. Read it... Create an account. |
| https://www.dnsomatic.com/ | DNSOMATIC an OpenDNS Service | This is where you will create an account to keep your ip address updated. Create an account. |
| http://opendns.marc-hoersken.de/ | Great Program to keep DNSOMATIC Updated. | This is a program to Keep your ip address updated. You may need to install this if you Modem/Router does not support keeping your ip address updated. Follow instructions and install Program. |
| http://192.168.1.1 | Your Gateway to the Internet. | This should open the page to your cable/DSL/Fios modem. Do you know your user name and password? Try username: Admin password: admin or blank.. |
General Overview
editProtect all internet connected devices in your home from the bad side of the internet. This is a good way to add a very good layer of security. This should be simple but it is not always easy. For that reason I have decided to put together some instructions that can be referenced if you get stuck.
If you just use the DNS settings you will block Pfishing sites. For households with no children that is all you may need and want. [What is Pfishing?]
If you want the ability to block specific content like .....
-Adult Themes -Alcohol -Auctions -Blogs
-Chat -Dating -Drugs -Message boards -Gambling -Hate/Discrimination -Lingerie/Bikini -Nudity -P2P/File sharing -Pornography -Sexuality -Tasteless -Weapons -TO NAME A FEW
....... You will need to configure DNSoMATIC and setup a process to keep your ip address updated.
Ok first things first. Please open the link to the [OpenDNS] site and read about the service. They explain everything. I am just going to try and help you get pointed in the right direction and possibly help you figure out why it is not working.
- DNS NUMBERS
- 208.67.222.222
- 208.67.220.220
Instructions
editI am going to assume we are going to want to setup filtering...
- Go to the [OpenDNS] site and create an account.
- Remember your username and password. Also remember the name you assigned to your network. I use HOME.
- Configure the DNS settings on your router/modem.
- [OpenDNS install Wizard] Your router may be able to be configured by this wizard. My router did not allow this.
- If you are told it did not work or it was not supported then go to your router http://192.168.1.1
- hopefully you know your username and password. It should be listed in the user manual.
- Find where your DNS entries are set. This will likely be in the advanced settings.
- hopefully you know your username and password. It should be listed in the user manual.
- Replace the DNS numbers with the following.
- 208.67.222.222
- 208.67.220.220
 | You should find two sets of DNS numbers. Sometimes there may be three sets. Make sure to wipe out all of them and replace with the two from OpenDNS. |
- [Setup Your DNSoMatic account.]
- You should be able to use you OpenDNS username and password.
- Add a service and select OpenDNS.
| | This sets you up to have your ip address updated but we still don't have anything updating it yet. |
- [Software to Update the IP address] You will need this if your router does not support [DDNS] DDNS. I am using this program but I just realized my router does support DDNS. (Learn something everyday.)
- You will need to install this program and configure it. Use the username and password you created for openDNS.
- click every check box in the preferences tab. You could also hit the Setup my router button if you want. I did not do this but it may simplify the install if it works.
- Done
- possibly!
- Remember it could take up to 15 Minutes for your settings to take effect.
- If you have a PC that has a DNS entry the new settings will not work on that PC.
- Easy check.. Run cmd.exe from command line.
- then type ipconfig /all
- look for DNS servers and make sure they are 192.168.1.1 or the two OpenDNS numbers. If they are different they are not the DNS number you want.
- check the network settings on that PC (Internet Protocol Version-TCP/IP )and make sure it is set to Obtain DNS server address automatically.
- REBOOT
- TEST AGAIN
What to Expect
editOnce this is all wired up you can block lots of stuff and allow exceptions if needed. FYI.. If you add or change a filter it takes up to 15 minutes for it to start working. This exception processing can be done on the [OpenDNS Settings Page].
If you are using the windows program http://opendns.marc-hoersken.de/ to keep out ip address updated you should keep that computer on often. If your router reboots or loses power you will get a new ip address. If you don't have the PC that does the updates running the new ip address will not get sent to OpenDNS and none of the web filtering will work until the ip address is updated. This is a good reason to try and get the router to handle the updates and not the PC program. [[1]]
Testing
editGo to google and search for something you blocked. FYI.. Google will find it and display the results of the search. This does not mean that the DNS filtering did not work. You need to Click on the link and see if it is blocked. I don't know how to stop search engines from finding back links. Check out the low tech tip below on that.
| | Click on the advanced setting in google and most all other search engines and select strict filtering. This will stop the bad links from showing up after a search. Not great but it will buy you time until kids figure out how to turn it back on. |
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