For those who don’t know DNS is the technology where your ISP converts a domain name (like google.com) to its string of numbers (for 1.1.1.1 example).
The reason why Google wants to get into this is because most ISP’s DNS servers are slow, unreliable or allow attacks in. Now the question is, should you use Google for your DNS, or the well-known OpenDNS service instead?
Open DNS
- It’s domain servers for you to use are 208.67.222.222, and 208.67.220.220
- It has servers in Amsterdam, Chicago, Dallas, London, LA, Miami, New York, Palo Alto, Seattle, and Washington.
- OpenDNS is currently serving 35 Billion DNS requests per day.
Pros:
- With servers all around the world it allows your DNS to resolve faster, and if one goes down, another will work for you.
- It has phishing protection so you are protected from fake websites.
- You can block websites individually or by one of the 40+ filters.
- Much more reliable then your ISP.
- If another OpenDNS user visited a website, but now its offline, if you have smart cache enabled it will continue to resolve (assuming it’s a dns issue).
- Many high end company’s, schools, and governments are using the service daily.
- Has plans (paid) for Enterprises.
- Its free basic service is only lacking faster customer support, and larger website blocking features.
- Websites can be voted by the users with category’s so that websites can be blocked if they are 18+, have ad ware, are gaming, or are high network load.
- Stats (Charts, requests, domains, blocked, etc).
- Has guides to help you set it up on your router or computer.
- Has an application to deal with dynamic IP’s.
- Hasn’t ever completely gone down in its 4 years.
Cons:
- Unless you purchase a plan if a url does not resolve you will see a page like Google with ads.
- The website voting can be highly inaccurate.
- Its phishing service Phishtank which is run by its users can take DAYS or even months to flag a url.
Overall, its a fantastic service that I am using, and I am very proud of.
Google DNS
- It’s domain servers are 8.8.8.8, and 8.8.4.4
- Is run on Google’s servers.
- Extremely reliable
- Privacy is kept in tact
- Phishing protection
- Handles 100 billion DNS querys a day
- Set and go. No fuss no configuring.
Pros:
- It’s free
- It’s simple
- It’s from Google
- It’s reliable
Cons:
- Business users may find it too simple (i.e. no domain blocking)
Google DNS I prefer because of its speed. Opendns is good for users who want customization or need it.
