In our household we may have as many as six computers on our network at one time. My laptop, my wife’s laptop, the family computer, the kids computer and a laptop for both of my oldest kids. As each of these computers have been introduced into our network I have done my best to instill a bit of the “big brother is watching” attitude.
I have installed remote management software on every Windows based computer (one of them runs Linux). While I have only ever used the remote management software to troubleshoot a problem, the kids are aware that I could pop in at any time. I have my own administrator account on each machine that I make sure hasn’t been disabled.
The problem with the the “big brother” attitude comes with maintaining it. It is always a matter of time before the guard is let down.
While I want my older kids to realize a bit of freedom online, it is VERY important to me that they not accidentally, or purposefully, come across an adult or tasteless site. Enter OpenDNS.
DNS stands for Domain Name Service (or Server) and is the service that translates the addresses you type, i.e. www.google.com, into the computer readable number that delivers you to the website.
Most of you are probably using your ISP’s DNS when accessing the Internet. The truth of the matter is the ISP’s strength is not in resolving domain names. The folks behind OpenDNS understand this and, as a result, have created a great service.
You can enable OpenDNS on your computer or network by assigning the OpenDNS addresses to the computers on your network or the router that all your computers go through to access the Internet. I chose the latter because I don’t have to worry about a computer on my network being updated. The settings are delivered from the router. The OpenDNS site does a fantastic job of walking you through these changes.
You do have the option of using OpenDNS without creating an account but as the site states,
You could use OpenDNS without an account, but it’d be like having a Porsche stuck in first gear.
Creating an account gives you access to filtering, stats and other features that turn this service into a layer of protection between your family and the darker side of the Internet.
Once you create an account you can turn on filtering and stats that give you some peace of mind. A nice touch is the custom message that can be displayed when a site that you have blocked tries to be accessed. My custom message reads,
This household is NOT allowed on this network… Chuck says
The categories of sites that can be blocked include:
In addition to blocking sites you also have protection against phishing sites and the ability to block, or allow, specific sites. Each of these options create a powerful layer of protection that you can typically set and forget. You don’t have to be concerned with updates, (it isn’t like anti-virus software) this burden falls on the OpenDNS team.
I hope you consider using this service. It is simply one less thing you need to worry about.
A couple of bonuses to using the service:
- A lot of folks are reporting faster Internet browsing because this service can look up names quicker than the ISP.
- Typo correction. Typing yahoo.cm will still deliver you to yahoo.com
A few additional resources:
- OpenDNS features
- OpenDNS Privacy Policy
- An interview with the CEO and Founder of OpenDNS
- An older article from Wired Magazine written before OpenDNS was open to the public – 07/2006
Look at you, giving us great techie tips!! Well done!!
I, of course, am clueless what you’re talking about. But I will be sure to show my husband this post, and he’ll take care of it for me!!
Thanks, Chuck!!
@Karen – I’m glad you liked it, even if you didn’t understand it.
Doug should have no problem setting this up but you know where to find me if he has questions. Feel free to share my email with him – I think you have it. Thanks for the continued support!
Are you blocking tasteless sites? So, you’re never reading my blog again? Sigh…
Momo Fali’s last blog post..“Look At That Horse”
@Momo – Ha! For each category I ticked off I checked to make sure I could still get to your site. Somehow you cleared all the hurdles.
Very cool techie stuff here. I have a 14 yo son that this would be perfect for. Thanks for sharing.
Tara R.’s last blog post..Take notes, there will be a test
This is interesting. I didn’t know that you could network all of the computers in your home and then monitor them “big brother style”. Very cool. And I really love that you can filter out the “dark side of the internet”. That will come in handy when my kids get older =)
LunaNik’s last blog post..In honor of Blog Hoppers Weekend…
I have so much to learn. Thank goodness my kids are still young and are restricted to using the computer in front of me.
Blog hopping–HP
hp’s last blog post..Doing It In the Rain
Again, I don’t know if it’s because it’s so late at night, or what (because I REALLY should be in bed! Check around my site to understand why), but I can’t fathom all this. Definitely a thing for my techie husband (how can I convince him to go to college for all this—he might not have the math for it, but he certainly knows his stuff. Or how to find it!) when we consider starting up a serious network. When we have more money. Older kids. All that.
Happy Hopping!
Hookin’ Angel
Hey Chas, Johnny on the spot making my rounds.. Have a great Weekend….
Johnny on the spot’s last blog post..I am an IPOD victim …..
I just found your blog by stumbling and was impressed. I had never heard of OpenDNS but it sounds great for people with kids. I’ll be sure to check it out.
Courtney’s last blog post..Photo Hunt: Old Fashioned
Holy Greek, Batman.
But, at least we meet again. mwahahahaha!
Hip to the hop & you don’t stop…..
Mr Lady’s last blog post..Entirely not appropriate
Great information. We’re right on the cusp of needing something like this, so I’m glad to hear about it now.
Great post!!
bmgmom’s last blog post..Two Simple Words
And I thought I was pretty tech savvy – well, at least a bit more so than your average computer user.
Nice article and I’m glad you took the time to put all of this together.
–TW
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