OpenDNS - what / why / how

[aram535]

As far as speed, it's going to add to your latency, since each request has to travel much further (number of hops). It's milliseconds, but it adds up.

Just to send an email from one machine to another machine, your system does about 6 DNS queries, and think of all of the different apps, tabs, etc that is running on your system that do DNS queries. You can be doing hundreds an hour.

If you're really curious -- install something wireshark on your machine, and set it to monitor DNS traffic and leave it in the background do normal work for about an hour. Than take a look at the captured data, you'll be very surprised.

[DvdOwens]

Originally Posted by kendall

Chris, do you notice any speed increase or decrease?

How about difference, good or bad, in pings?

The reason I'm asking is that I have a 7 MB DSL connection. It's fast. However, my ping often stinks on some gaming sites/programs that I use; seriously affects gameplay.

It's Faster , That's the reason I first sarted using it.

[rhiannon]

Originally Posted by MidnightCowboy

Less techie users (like me) might just be interested to know that using OpenDNS protects against phishing and botnets* in addition to permitting variable levels of content control. Parents/guardians might like this feature a lot!

*This includes protection against all current versions of the Conficker virus

I've used OpenDNS on and off for years - the last few years it really bogs down my connection when I use it either on the router or one computer. It could just be my neck of the woods.
In looking for alternatives I came across DNS Advantage and started using it. The speed increase over my ISP's DNS server is noticeable.
They don't have the protections against phishing etc. that OpenDNS has (at least as far as I can tell, I've never seen anything to indicate it does) but otherwise works great.

[J.L.]

Originally Posted by rhiannon

I've used OpenDNS on and off for years - the last few years it really bogs down my connection when I use it either on the router or one computer. It could just be my neck of the woods.
In looking for alternatives I came across DNS Advantage and started using it. The speed increase over my ISP's DNS server is noticeable.
They don't have the protections against phishing etc. that OpenDNS has (at least as far as I can tell, I've never seen anything to indicate it does) but otherwise works great.

Comodo Secure DNS may be better for you. Both are owned by Neustar and have near-identical speeds (at least according to this: http://www.grc.com/dns/benchmark.htm)

[chris.p]

I don't get an account with OpenDNS and then select options etc - I just paste their DNS server IPs into the routers I want them on.

If you do it this way, the result is faster than your ISP DNS, you don't get a delay then trash advertising on a failed domain URL, and you don't give your ISP more data on what you are doing.

Also you don't get a delay while OpenDNS checks if you have an account with them, and another delay while they check every DNS request you make against their domains database for your specific feature requests eg child protection etc.

Just paste these into your router's 3 DNS server slots:

208.67.222.222
208.67.220.220
208.67.220.220

The reason I've repeated one for slot 3 is that ISPs are now trying to defeat OpenDNS, by remote inclusion of their own DNS server in slot 3 and then using slot 3 for DNS queries. Cunning huh.

Eventually we will see a row developing over this, and angry customers asking whether ISPs have a legal right to remotely reprogram peoples' routers and then use a DNS service they don't want, and then serve them advertising they don't want.

You read it here first.

[rhiannon]

Originally Posted by J.L.

Comodo Secure DNS may be better for you. Both are owned by Neustar and have near-identical speeds (at least according to this: http://www.grc.com/dns/benchmark.htm)

They both seem to be about the same speed - Comodo maybe a hair faster, I'll be keeping it. Thanks for the heads up

[rhiannon]

Originally Posted by chris.p

I don't get an account with OpenDNS and then select options etc - I just paste their DNS server IPs into the routers I want them on.

If you do it this way, the result is faster than your ISP DNS, you don't get a delay then trash advertising on a failed domain URL, and you don't give your ISP more data on what you are doing.

Also you don't get a delay while OpenDNS checks if you have an account with them, and another delay while they check every DNS request you make against their domains database for your specific feature requests eg child protection etc.

Just paste these into your router's 3 DNS server slots:

208.67.222.222
208.67.220.220
208.67.220.220

The reason I've repeated one for slot 3 is that ISPs are now trying to defeat OpenDNS, by remote inclusion of their own DNS server in slot 3 and then using slot 3 for DNS queries. Cunning huh.

Eventually we will see a row developing over this, and angry customers asking whether ISPs have a legal right to remotely reprogram peoples' routers and then use a DNS service they don't want, and then serve them advertising they don't want.

You read it here first.

I've never had an account with OpenDNS either - easier to just plug in the DNS addresses.
I love the idea of adding that third DNS, I'm going to use it.
I haven't had my ISP attempt such a thing, but I suspect its because they haven't thought of it. Thanks!

[Sope]

Originally Posted by rhiannon

I haven't had my ISP attempt such a thing, but I suspect its because they haven't thought of it.

Sadly, I think you may be right.

If OpenDNS grows big enough, no doubt many more ISP's will feel the need to try to block it.
As I have a dynamic IP address, I have to configure for OpenDNS via my computer rather than my router. I'm not sure whether this will make it easier or harder for my ISP to block my use of OpenDNS in the future if they so wish.

[kendall]

A couple questions:

1. I made the decision to change my dns settings via my network settings and not via my router. Does this impact the usefulness or speed of OpenDNS?

2. I know that there is a new software download for OpenDNS. It apparently sits in your tray and updates dynamic IP's in the background. Do I need this if I did not change my router settings?

3. Do most of you use the software, and if so, why?

[Sope]

Originally Posted by kendall

A couple questions:

1. I made the decision to change my dns settings via my network settings and not via my router. Does this impact the usefulness or speed of OpenDNS?

2. I know that there is a new software download for OpenDNS. It apparently sits in your tray and updates dynamic IP's in the background. Do I need this if I did not change my router settings?

3. Do most of you use the software, and if so, why?

1. I use network settings on computer and it seems quick enough for me - have you seen this thread - Comodo Secure DNS - where testing of different DNS speeds is discussed?

2. Whether you choose router or computer settings to access OpenDNS does not change this decision -

3. I don't use the software to monitor IP address as mine rarely changes even though it is dynamic (Virgin Media UK). So I just monitor my IP address myself.