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Speed Up Your Internet Connection With A Simple Tweak: Replace your ISP DNS Server with OpenDNS

When we type a web address in our browser [like www.google.com] and hit go, the request goes to our local ISP servers who translate that domain name into a hard-to-remember IP address [like 66.102.7.104]

While this address resolution mechanism is transparent to the average internet user, it can sometimes be the main reason for slow internet access if the DNS servers of your ISP are acting choppy or not working at all.

To overcome these problems, you can consider changing your DNS server name to a more reliable but free service called OpenDNS. There's no software to install, just a small tweak in your internet connection settings.


We just replaced the default DSN server address of our ISP with the OpenDNS servers which are :
     208.67.222.222
     208.67.220.220
The DNS server can be changed from the TCP/IP Properties section. [Control Panel -> Network Connections -> Local Network Connection -> TCP IP Properties]

Why OpenDNS is good ? Your domain resolution request to OpenDNS is executed from the nearest physical location and the address are also cached at their end. Therefore you notice faster internet browsing.

Second OpenDNS would auto-correct misspelled domain names [or typos]. For instance, if you type www.gooogle.com by mistake, you'll be redirected to www.google.com without any interventation. The other advantage is that you have a much safer browsing experience since OpenDNS would prevent you from visiting a scam website by error.

Some precautions before using OpenDNS

1. In the extreme situation when OpenDNS servers go down, you should keep the address of your ISP DNS servers handy.

2. You can turn off the phishing protection or auto typo correction by visiting the OpenDNS preferences page.

3. Some users might have privacy concerns with OpenDNS while some dislike seeing ads when they mis-spell domain names. The choice is completely your's here.

Related: Tweak Windows Hosts File

OpenDNS Tutorial | OpenDNS CEO Interview

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