is that helps block inappropriate, dangerous, or malware-infested sites. It offers additional DNS security, similar to the SecureDNS service optionally included with Comodo Internet Security. Using OpenDNS may also speed up your Web browsing because of its smart, enhanced functionality. The basic services of OpenDNS are free; premium subscriptions add extra features.

DNS stands for Domain Name System. It's the background service that converts domain names into IP addresses, enabling users to enter human-friendly domain names into a Web browser instead of IP addresses. Typical DNS servers used by most Internet service providers (ISPs) provide only the basic domain name to IP address functionality. But because DNS operates in the browsing process, enhanced DNS servers can provide filtering and advanced functionality, as OpenDNS does.

Since it's DNS-based, you don't have to install any software to use OpenDNS. Instead, you just replace the DNS addresses on your router (to protect your entire network) or the addresses on specific computers (to protect those PCs only).

You can use OpenDNS in three ways, depending on what features or services you want.

The most basic option is to change the default DNS addresses on your router or computers to the main OpenDNS addressees: 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220. Without an account, they provide phishing-site blocking to help protect your identity, and they include some additional DNS security features.