Filtering the Web the Right Way with OpenDNS

I currently have a subscription to the BSafe Online Filter, which is there to keep the bad stuff that's on the internet from getting to our family's computer. The downside of it is that it costs $49.95 per year for one computer and it on only works on Microsoft Windows. I have been planning, when I have time, to revive an old computer by installing Ubuntu Linux on it (which is free and will make it seem like new). However, I hadn't found a good way to secure it from the bad stuff, until recently.

A guy at work recently told me about OpenDNS, a free Domain Name System that also has free filtering ability, where you can choose what categories of bad stuff you want to filter. If you are not familiar, a Domain Name System (DNS) is the thing that turns a URL (the internet address for a web site) into an IP address (which is a series of four or six one-to-three-digit numbers, each separated by periods). Your Internet Service Provider has already set up a DNS for you to use but you can actually choose to use a different one.

One major difference between OpenDNS and other Domain Name Systems is that is very reliable. Some Internet Service Providers have less reliable Domain Name Systems, meaning that sometimes you may not be able to get to any web sites, check e-mail, etc. Another major difference with OpenDNS is that you can set up an account that has filtering, much like what BSafe Online Filter does. However, it has some major advantages over BSafe Online Filter:

1. There is no software to install, with possibly one minor exception.*
   
2. If you have a wireless router, you can configure it to use OpenDNS, meaning that every computer or internet-connected device (PDA's, iPhones, gaming consoles, etc.) use the filter. It doesn't matter what operating system you are using, either. It can be Windows (any variety), Mac OS, Linux, Palm OS, etc.
3. You can configure what categories of bad stuff you want to block on the OpenDNS web site.
4. It was very easy to set up. You pick your router from the list (which has pictures) and it gives you exact instructions. The instructions even have screen shots.
5. It blocks phishing sites. Phishing sites are phony web sites that pose as real web sites such as your bank's web site to get your user ID and password. With your user ID and password to a web site, bad people attempt to steal your identity and/or your money.
6. You can set up custom messages for the blocking pages (e.g., "Daddy doesn't want you to go to this web site."). You can even upload a custom picture that will show, such as yourself looking sternly at whoever is using the computer.
7. It is much less hackable than software installed on my computer because it requires someone to know the user ID and password of your router. This is less important now but as the kids get older and more computer-savvy...
   

* To use the filtering, you may need to install something called the OpenDNS Updater on one computer. It uses the IP address of your internet connection (i.e., your router) to know to use your account settings to filter stuff. Since most Internet Service Provider's assign you a different one each time you log on to the internet, you will need to say "yes" when it asks you if you want to install the OpenDNS Updater. You only need to do this on one computer. One other thing that is not so obvious, is that you will need to check the box on Set Up a Dynamic IP page. If you know you have a static IP address, you can skip all of this. If you don't know, don't skip installing OpenDNS Updater.

Update: There is a good review of OpenDNS by PC Magazine that demonstrates it.