Use OpenDNS as an Adult Content Filter


Hi, everyone. This is Lara Hammock from the Marble Jar Channel. Today we are going to discuss why you should be using OpenDNS's free and easy solution to filter problematic Internet content. And I'll show you how to do it!
I have 15 year old son, so it's pretty obvious why we would need content filtering at my house. But perhaps you have younger kids or daughters who you think are less likely to be searching for porn or other inappropriate content. The problem with that logic is that sometimes kids stumble on this stuff inadvertently.  I mean everyone has a story about accidentally entering search terms that bring unsavory results.  Once, at work I sent around a document that had a temporary place marker for a website URL. I used the place marker xxx dot com. DON'T LOOK THAT UP. Let's just say it provided some embarrassing moments for anyone who happened to click on that from their work cubicle.  And why is it that porn sites seem to all have the crazy, uncontrollable pop-ups coming up everywhere? This can totally happen to your kids -- and let's face it -- it probably already has. 
There are lots of filtering options available, but I think the simplest solution for your home network is to use OpenDNS's free Family Shield product. OpenDNS is a company that sells cyber-security solutions to businesses, but they have a couple of services for home use and the one I'm recommending is entirely free. 
Here's a very quick explanation of the technology behind their filtering mechanism.  OpenDNS doesn't require you to install software on your devices or computers, instead it uses the DNS settings in your Internet router. DNS stands for Domain Name Servers. //Diagram from PP with animations// Everytime you type a www address into your browser, your Internet router sends that information to preset DNS servers to translate that into IP addresses that the Internet can understand to route your request to the correct web server. OpenDNS takes the place of the default DNS servers already programmed in your router.  They maintain a list of forbidden sites that is community driven and constantly updated. The forbidden sites include obvious stuff like porn, but also phishing sites that try to get sensitive information from your computer like passwords and credit card information. 
You don't even have to register to use this service. You just need to change the default DNS servers in your Internet router to the ones managed by OpenDNS. To do this, first log into the admin area of your router. Our internet provider is Verizon and we have this kind of router //image//.  It has a sticker on the side of it that tells you how to access the admin website. OpenDNS has a great website that walks you through the process for  individual routers. Go to the website below to find step by step instructions for your particular router //https://support.opendns.com/hc/en-us/sections/206253667-Individual-Router-Configurations//. I'll also make sure this URL is listed in the video description.
So, for my router, I go to the admin site on my browser www.myfiosgateway.com. Then I log in. From here I choose My Network, then Network Connections.  Then I choose Broadband Connection.  Okay here are the DNS settings that we are trying to edit. Scroll down and click on the Settings button. 
Now you can change the DNS servers to:  208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220
Now hit Apply. Again, this changes where your router sends website addresses to translate them into IP addresses that the Internet can understand. 
Once you have made this edit, OpenDNS gives you 3 sites to click on to make sure everything is working. https://support.opendns.com/hc/en-us/articles/227986567-How-to-Test-for-Successful-OpenDNS-Configuration-
  • #1 - check to make sure you are indeed using the OpenDNS servers, if so you should get this screen
  • #2 - click on a sample phishing site, if blocked, you should get this screen
  • #3 - click on a sample adult content site, if blocked, you should get this screen
If you pass all of the tests, you should be good to go. Any device connected to your browser can no longer get to websites with sketchy content. Just a quick reminder, this only filters content for devices when they are connected to your wifi. If your kid has a mobile device or laptop that they use on other networks or with cellular access, you need to figure out another way to protect those. For iOS devices like iPhones and iPads, I recommend watching my video on iPhone Restrictions and using those parental controls. 
I highly recommend using OpenDNS's Family Shield service as an easy, free, and no maintenance option to filter content for your home devices. Please provide your thoughts, experiences and feedback in the comments section and don't forget to subscribe.  Thanks for watching!

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