get FREE internet content filtering

Having 2 kinds of computers at home (PC and Mac), I needed an internet filter that would block adult porn websites and other stuff littering cyberspace. Many of the filters are software-based, which would not work cross-platform, and/or require a whole different Internet provider, with a monthly or annual subscription fee of some kind.

About a month ago, I found this FREE web service that works at the DNS service level of your wireless access point (WAP) or router. It's called OpenDNS . You could also configure your local PC's internet DNS configuration too, for the times you're using a wifi hotspot elsewhere, and get your web content filtered, too. Yes, it's a bit "techie" to setup, and they provide very clear step-by-step instructions so a non-techie should be able to configure things.

To give credit where credit is due, I found out about it reading another discussion forum (or a blog?), I forget where exactly. There was a church providing free wifi in its lounge, and needed to find a way to have it filtered. I've been using OpenDNS at home for over a month now, and it works great!!

Side note for the cynical, suspicous, or curious: here's how OpenDNS can provide this service for free.

Comments

[Bill Glick]

OpenDNS is an excellent service. I've been using it for about 2 years and have been using their content filtering for about 6 months at various sites. It's simple, fast, and works.

[NewsAddikt]

is the content filtering only for wireless access?

[djchuang]

As far as I can understand it, the OpenDNS content filtering can be setup for a wireless access point, an internet router, and/or a DNS server. It can also be setup for use on an individual PC. See the choices and instructions at https://www.opendns.com/start

[Matt Farina]

I'm an openDNS user and I use the filter. A couple things I've learned....

If you're using this to stop someone from accessing naughty content you need to not allow them to change the DNS settings on the computer they are using. If they are they can change to some other server DNS and the filtering is stopped. This matters if you have openDNS setup on your computer or router.

If you have a wireless router set it up on that. This means that any wireless laptop that signs onto the network will, also, have the filtering on it.

Just a couple thoughts. I'm an openDNS fan and user.

[Jeff Paul Scam]

Well the trick was like changing your DNS to some other server DNS and the filtering is stopped. This matters if you have openDNS setup on your computer or router