Most computer users do not know that when you type the name of a web site like alonso.com that the name is looked up on one or more servers on the Internet. These servers are known as DNS servers because they provide a lookup database that matches a name with the numerical (IP) address of the server that hosts the web site that you are requesting. The DNS stands for Domain Name Server. When you sign up for Internet service you are provided with the address of one or more DNS servers. You usually put these addresses in your router. When a computer on your network starts up, it gets the DNS addresses from the router and then will look up all the sites that you request using these servers.
OpenDNS provides a free service that allows you to send all your DNS requests to them. When you use OpenDNS, they can provide you with a foolproof way of locking out sites that you do not want your children exposed to or that you do not want employees visiting. I have been using OpenDNS for both my office network and home network for months and can attest to the excellence of the service.
Signing up is easy. Just visit http://www.opendns.com and click on “Get Started.” You will be able to block content by categories, like adult sites, gambling, webmail and many other categories. You will also be able to block specific sites and to exclude sites that fall within a blocked category, but you find acceptable. In addition to this, you get phishing protection against malicious web sites that mimic real sites for the purpose of stealing your passwords.
One of the usability enhancements that OpenDNS provides is typo correction. that will attempt to take you to the site you intended to visit even if you typed a couple of transposed letters. It also gives you another time saver–shortcuts. You can use this to set up words that you type into the browser address bar like “mail” to automatically take you to any page you want. “Mail,” for example, can be set to take you to your web-based e-mail. I had some fun with this feature by setting up “handsome” to take family members to a picture of myself on the Internet. Your imagination can guide you to the many uses for this feature.
I recommend this service wholeheartedly. Alonso Consulting can help you set it up should you have any difficulties. Please call us at (973) 575-1414.
Robert Alonso
Alonso Consulting
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