Like the free service it's based on, OpenDNS Enterprise does not have all of the features that enterprise users can get from a larger company such as Websense. But because it uses the DNS (Domain Name System) system to do the filtering, it's extremely lightweight -- administrators turn it on by making some basic settings changes in the PC or router -- and it's less expensive than many products out there.

That's made it a good choice for administrators who have to remotely manage systems in a lot of locations.

It may also give it some traction with small- and medium-sized businesses, which have not been particularly well-served by many Web filtering vendors, according to Paul Roberts, an analyst with the 451 Group. As they look to renew licensees this year, "secure Web gateway vendors, whether it's Websense or Blue Coat, are encountering push-back," Roberts said. "Part of it is the economy and part of it is that there are other options."

Cosmetics retailer Lush started rolling out the free version of OpenDNS in all of its 150 North American retail stores about six months ago, in an effort to keep sales staff focused on customers. "A lot of people were browsing to places like Facebook and watching videos and stuff when they were actually supposed to be working," said Dale Hobbs, senior systems administrator with Lush in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Management wanted to rein in Web use, but most of the Web filtering products they considered required some kind of software or hardware installation. That would take time and money, Hobbs said. "For us to go in and install new appliances in every single shop was not financially feasible," he said.