Question:

How can I bypass OpenDNS content filtering without paying for a public IP address or using a VPN?

I have an ISP that uses OpenDNS to block certain websites by default, such as adult and torrent sites. I asked them to disable this feature, but they said I would need to pay 100 ZAR per month for a public IP address. I suspect this is a scam, as I don’t see why I would need a public IP address to access these sites. I know I can use a VPN to get around the blocking, but I don’t want to pay for a VPN service or suffer from reduced connection speed. I also think it is unfair that my ISP is imposing this restriction on me without my consent. Is there any other way to bypass OpenDNS content filtering?

I tried searching online for a solution, but I couldn’t find anything that worked. However, some people suggested changing the DNS settings on my PC or device to Google’s public DNS, and that seemed to solve the problem. I no longer see the “website blocked due to content filtering” messages. Why did this work, and is it a safe and reliable method?

Answer:

OpenDNS is a service that provides DNS resolution and content filtering for internet users. DNS stands for Domain Name System, which is a protocol that translates human-readable website names (such as www.google.com) into numerical IP addresses (such as 172.217.14.100) that computers can understand. Content filtering is a feature that blocks access to certain websites based on their categories, such as adult, gambling, or torrent sites.

Some internet service providers (ISPs) use OpenDNS as their default DNS service, which means that they can control what websites their customers can or cannot access. This can be done for various reasons, such as complying with legal regulations, protecting users from malicious or inappropriate content, or reducing bandwidth consumption. However, some users may find this restriction annoying, unnecessary, or unfair, especially if they did not consent to it or if they have legitimate reasons to access the blocked sites.

One way to bypass OpenDNS content filtering is to pay for a public IP address from your ISP. A public IP address is a unique identifier that allows your device to communicate with other devices on the internet. By default, most ISPs assign their customers a private IP address, which is shared by multiple devices on the same network. This means that your ISP can see and control what websites you visit, as they all go through the same DNS service. However, if you have a public IP address, you can use your own DNS service, such as Google’s public DNS, which does not filter any content. This way, you can access any website you want, regardless of what your ISP blocks.

However, paying for a public IP address may not be a feasible or desirable option for many users. First of all, it may be expensive, depending on your ISP’s pricing. For example, the original question mentioned that their ISP charges 100 ZAR (about 7 USD) per month for a public IP address. Secondly, it may not be available, depending on your ISP’s policies. Some ISPs may not offer public IP addresses at all, or may limit them to certain customers or plans. Thirdly, it may not be secure, depending on your ISP’s practices. Some ISPs may not encrypt or protect your public IP address, which means that hackers or other malicious actors can easily track, monitor, or attack your device.

Another way to bypass OpenDNS content filtering is to use a VPN service. A VPN stands for Virtual Private Network, which is a technology that creates a secure and encrypted connection between your device and a remote server. When you use a VPN, your internet traffic is routed through the VPN server, which acts as a proxy between you and the websites you visit. This means that your ISP cannot see or control what websites you visit, as they only see the VPN server’s IP address. This way, you can access any website you want, regardless of what your ISP blocks.

However, using a VPN service may not be a convenient or optimal option for many users. First of all, it may be costly, depending on the VPN service’s pricing. For example, some popular VPN services charge around 10 USD per month for a subscription. Secondly, it may be slow, depending on the VPN service’s quality. Some VPN services may have limited bandwidth, server locations, or protocols, which can affect your connection speed and stability. Thirdly, it may not be trustworthy, depending on the VPN service’s reputation. Some VPN services may not respect your privacy, security, or anonymity, and may log, leak, or sell your data to third parties.

A third way to bypass OpenDNS content filtering, which is also the simplest and cheapest way, is to change the DNS settings on your PC or device to Google’s public DNS. Google’s public DNS is a free and fast DNS service that does not filter any content. To use Google’s public DNS, you just need to follow these steps:

• On Windows, go to Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center > Change adapter settings. Right-click on your network connection and select Properties. Double-click on Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and select Use the following DNS server addresses. Enter 8.8.8.8 as the preferred DNS server and 8.8.4.4 as the alternate DNS server. Click OK and close the windows.
• On Mac, go to System Preferences > Network. Select your network connection and click Advanced. Go to the DNS tab and click the + button. Enter 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 as the DNS servers. Click OK and Apply.
• On Android, go to Settings > Network and Internet > Wi-Fi. Tap on your network connection and select Modify network. Check the box for Advanced options and change the IP settings to Static. Enter 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 as the DNS servers. Tap Save.
• On iOS, go to Settings > Wi-Fi. Tap on the i icon next to your network connection and select Configure DNS. Choose Manual and tap the + button. Enter 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 as the DNS servers. Tap Save.

By changing the DNS settings on your PC or device to Google’s public DNS, you can bypass OpenDNS content filtering without paying for a public IP address or using a VPN. This way, you can access any website you want, regardless of what your ISP blocks.

This method works because it changes the way your device resolves website names into IP addresses. Instead of using your ISP’s DNS service, which may block certain websites, you use Google’s DNS service, which does not block any websites. This means that your device can connect to any website’s IP address, without being affected by your ISP’s content filtering.

This method is also safe and reliable, as Google’s public DNS is a reputable and secure DNS service. Google’s public DNS uses encryption and authentication to protect your data from interception and manipulation. Google’s public DNS also respects your privacy and does not collect or store any personally identifiable information. Google’s public DNS also has high performance and availability, as it uses a global network of servers and caches to provide fast and accurate DNS resolution.

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