OpenDNS is a free service which can speed up your web browsing and help you filter out unwanted or harmful content on the web.

While using OpenDNS is very easy, configuring it can be a little more tricky, but just what is OpenDNS? It's a free DNS server that can be used by anyone on the internet. Read on to find out more.

What is DNS?

Computers talk in numbers, its the only language they understand. People on the other hand, prefer words. We use software every day that lets us work with computers in a more natural way than simply entering numbers. In fact most of us are so comfortable with working like this that we seldom even think about how the underlying technology works. DNS is the technology which drives the internet. When you type in www.Top-Windows-Tutorials.com, a DNS server on the internet changes that address into the numbers that the computers actually use to find that web site.

What is OpenDNS?

OpenDNS is a DNS server that can be used by anyone with an internet connection. As stated above, DNS servers take the addresses you type or click on your web browser, translate them into numbers (known as IP numbers, or IP addresses) which computers can understand and then direct your browser to the correct web page.

My Internet already works! Why do I need OpenDNS?

Of course your ISP provides DNS servers of its own. If it did not, then every time you wanted to visit a website, instead of entering www.website.com, you'd have to enter numbers such as 68.222.1.101. We're covering the OpenDNS service mainly as a way of blocking adult content. Parents who want an inexpensive and easy to use filtering tool can use the service to block out content they deem unsuitable for their children. However, if you experience slow web browsing, you may wish to switch to the OpenDNS servers as you may find this gives a small increase in the speed of your web browser.

How do I get Started?

If you want to use OpenDNS to filter out adult content on the web, you'll first need to follow our tutorials on creating limited user accounts for your children. If you do not, then your children will quickly figure out how to bypass OpenDNS as easily as following the same tutorials. Once you have done that, follow our step-by-step instructions and video tutorials which are available on our internet safety tutorials page now!

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