My Downward Spiral: OpenDNS > Get Started

Linux/Unix

Using Ubuntu?
Using Mac OS X Server with BIND?
Using IPCop firewall application?

Print-ready instructions

Please write down your current DNS settings before switching to OpenDNS, in case you want to return to your old settings for any reason.

The DNS Server addresses for OpenDNS are:

Just add these two lines somewhere near the top of your /etc/resolv.conf:

nameserver 208.67.222.222
nameserver 208.67.220.220

Enjoy!

If you assign your computer's IP with DHCP, it probably overwrites your /etc/resolv.conf. Here's how to fix that:

Run: sudo gedit /etc/dhcp3/dhclient.conf
Change the prepend line to read:

prepend domain-name-servers 208.67.222.222, 208.67.220.220;

This will prepend the OpenDNS addresses to the top of the list. (You can also use "supersede", which will just use them.) You don't have to worry about the DHCP client overwriting settings on each reboot or lease cycle, and your ISP nameservers will still be used as backup.
Run: sudo /etc/init.d/networking restart
Using Ubuntu? Check "Networking" to see if the changes applied correctly.
Go to "System –> Administration –> Networking" and click the DNS tab.

You should see the Welcome page from OpenDNS, as shown below.

Welcome to OpenDNS screenshot

If you see the Oops page, please try two more tests, in case the Welcome page was improperly cached.

First, visit our demonstration site internetbadguys.com. If you were successful in switching to OpenDNS, it should be blocked as a phishing site. Otherwise, it will tell you that it's a demonstration site.
Second, make a deliberate typo in the TLD, like craigslist.og and see if it resolves to craigslist.org. If you are using OpenDNS, you will be taken to the classifieds site. If you are not, you will get your default browser error page.

Still not working? You may need to restart your web browser and/or router.

Please let us know if you're still running into problems.