Kids get into all sorts of things they shouldn’t get into online. And we know parents want to protect their kids from what’s out there. They want to know that what they’ve set up is effective, up-to-date and always working.
Today we’re introducing a new service called FamilyShield and it’s the absolute simplest and most straightforward way for parents to protect kids from the bad stuff online. There is no complicated set up and no software to install on your computers.
FamilyShield is different from — and better than — the majority of parental controls software choices parents are faced with. For starters, ours is free to use. And when set up on your wireless router, FamilyShield does more than block adult content on computers; it blocks it on Wi-Fi devices like the iPod Touch or the Nintendo DS and on video game consoles like Xbox and Wii. In addition to blocking adult content, FamilyShield also blocks proxies and anonymizers, which are how enterprising/tech-savvy kids often get around parental blocks.
In addition, because FamilyShield leverages the OpenDNS content filtering system, the list of sites being blocked is constantly updated, 24/7. These updates happen automatically, without requiring any changes on the user’s end.
Last but not least, because it runs on the global OpenDNS network, it will make your household Internet faster and overall more reliable. With the OpenDNS perfect 100 percent uptime record, you won’t have to tolerate annoying, intermittent Internet outages anymore. This, of course, is in stark contrast to parental controls software that is often known for slowing down your Internet experience.
Why did we launch FamilyShield? For about as long as OpenDNS has been around, we’ve heard demand from you, our users, to provide a pre-configured version of the service that automatically blocks adult content. The idea has been submitted to IdeaBank, the part of our community where anyone can suggest new OpenDNS features and functionality, a few different times. (For example, here and here.) We aim to give you what you want and FamilyShield is just that.
How does FamilyShield work? Much like how OpenDNS Basic works, you just follow our simple two-step instructions to configure our special FamilyShield IPs on your router. Unlike OpenDNS Basic, there’s no account to configure, no complicated settings to customize, and no downloads or software to install. Even if you have a dynamic IP address.
FamilyShield’s IPs are:
208.67.222.123
208.67.220.123
What does FamilyShield Block? The service blocks pornographic content, including our “Pornography,” “Tasteless,” and “Sexuality” categories, in addition to proxies and anonymizers (which can render filtering useless). It also blocks phishing and some malware.
If you’re using OpenDNS Basic today without any filtering and think FamilyShield looks just simple and straightforward enough for you, just follow the simple instructions to point to the new IPs. But, if you use OpenDNS, love OpenDNS and know of a family who could use a parental controls service that also makes their home network faster, let them know about FamilyShield.
Khürt
Great feature - for this not using OpenDNS and looking for easy parental tells around web filtering. But … how about OpenDNS spending that 20% free time to work on the admin overide for the Deluxe account users? Haven’t we waited long enough?
posted on June 23rd, 2010 at 3:45 am
Richard Ahlquist
Thank you for this! I recently asked your folks staffing the company Twitter account about this and they were kind enough to point me to your suggestions area where I quickly jumped on a suggestion exactly like this! Thank you for the awesome service you provide the community.
posted on June 23rd, 2010 at 4:06 am
Chad
This sounds fantastic, but I don’t see anything talking about a bypass block page, etc. Is there no way to do this, using FamilyShield?
posted on June 23rd, 2010 at 5:27 am
Block adult web content with OpenDNS FamilyShield [No Install] | Kabatology ~ Open Source, Linux
[…] security that “automatically blocks phishing and virus-spreading malware websites. via [OpenDNS Blog] Also Read Google Public DNS – A free DNS ServiceChromium Daily Builds for Linux gets […]
posted on June 23rd, 2010 at 7:30 am
David Ulevitch, Founder/CEO
@Khürt — Thanks and I hear you. We’re working on bringing block page bypass to Deluxe. No ETA just yet. It’s dependent on a bunch of factors, including making sure we have the infrastructure in place around the world to support it as reliably as everything else we do.
posted on June 23rd, 2010 at 7:37 am
Block Adult Content with OpenDNS’s FamilyShield for FREE | Technofriends
[…] via OpenDNS […]
posted on June 23rd, 2010 at 8:33 am
Rudy
This is a great pre-packaged service I can recommend to a few families I know, especially where the kids are getting into things they shouldn’t. And I do recommend setting it up in the router…I flashed my Motorola WR850G with DD-WRT to get that ability (as the stock firmware would not permit it).
My question though–how does this differ from regular OpenDNS I’ve been using for years? I already have a lot blocked (all the “adult” categories, plus “tasteless”, phishing, malware, peer-to-peer, etc.). Does this provide anything in addition, or is it just a set of pre-selected (and non-configurable) filters?
posted on June 23rd, 2010 at 10:18 am
Allison Rhodes
@Rudy - it’s a no-account-required, pre-configured version of OpenDNS, essentially. It doesn’t provide anything you’re not already getting with OpenDNS Basic, just makes it easier for people to use OpenDNS with adult site blocking and basic security enabled.
posted on June 23rd, 2010 at 10:27 am
Stanley Walter
Finally!
I’ve been waiting for this a while now. Awesome to see it get launched.
I know a lot of people who are going to love this.
posted on June 23rd, 2010 at 10:48 am
Richard W.
The OpenDNS team knows that most parents do not want to spend their free time configuring their accounts.
Awesome job guys!
posted on June 23rd, 2010 at 11:53 am
OpenDNS FamilyShield makes it easier to block porn from your kids’ computers « ://allthings-bare.rant
[…] rest — constantly updating their files to block additional sites. As they point out on their official blog post, it’s fairly difficult to get around FamilyShield’s access-blocking […]
posted on June 23rd, 2010 at 9:02 pm
OpenDNS FamilyShield makes it easier to block porn from your kids’ computers | ThaiDC.com
[…] rest — constantly updating their files to block additional sites. As they point out on their official blog post, it’s fairly difficult to get around FamilyShield’s access-blocking […]
posted on June 24th, 2010 at 12:06 am
Internet Sehat Dengan FamilyShield | kurungsiku.web.id
[…] Ulevitch, Founder/CEO OpenDNS mengumumkan familyshield, produk baru dari OpenDNS yang memberikan kontrol bagi orang tua terhadap konten yang […]
posted on June 24th, 2010 at 1:11 am
Michael D.
You guys Rock!! Thx!
I’m already using “OpenDNS Deluxe (Family)”.
Paid Deluxe service.
Is family shield the same thing?
Is it better then what i’m already paying for?
Was it tossed in as a “free” upgrade since i’m already paying?
how are the “standard adresses”
208.67.222.222
208.67.220.220
differ from the family shield addresses?
208.67.222.123
208.67.220.123
Do they provide better protection?
posted on June 24th, 2010 at 4:31 am
Laura Oppenheimer
Hi Michael!
FamilyShield s a no-account-required, pre-configured version of OpenDNS Basic. The new IP addresses just come preconfigured to block porn, phishing and malware.
It doesn’t provide anything you’re not already getting with OpenDNS Deluxe — it just makes it easier for people to use OpenDNS with adult site blocking and basic security enabled. AKA, people who might not want to customize their experience, deal with dynamic IPs, etc.
Hope that helps!
-Laura
posted on June 24th, 2010 at 9:24 am
Online Security – OpenDNS « {Computer Gurus}
[…] Online Security – OpenDNS by Shane on Jun.25, 2010, under Security The topic of online security is a large one and will be the subject of many discussions to come. This post is about one service that should be part of your total security solution. Many people think that if you just have an Anti-Virus program installed on your computer you will be safe. In truth this is only one small aspect that needs to be considered when thinking about online security. The beautiful thing about the OpenDNS service is that when used correctly it will help protect all devices connected to your network without the need for anything to ever be installed on your computer. OpenDNS has recently released a new product to simplify the usage of their service and is targeted to the home user called FamilyShield. […]
posted on June 25th, 2010 at 7:35 am
fairuse
I see the use. Good idea and it is what my not tech sisters and aunt would like. Funny part is, I would have to do the ‘type address in; press go’ part for them. As for me it is not useful as I do site checking from tame to ‘wish I could close eyes bad’. I may try it on an Android phone as an experiment. Be interesting when at home because Airport uses OpenDNS Deluxe.
thanks
posted on June 26th, 2010 at 4:18 am
OpenDNS Defends The Kids | BitFog
[…] FamilyShield Parental Controls. […]
posted on June 26th, 2010 at 2:46 pm
Chris
THANK YOU - THANK YOU! You guys are doing what the government simply can’t figure out how to do, you are providing the tools necessary for us parents to protect our children online. I cannot thank you enough, and I’ve told my friends, family and neighbors about your service. In terms of good deeds done, you guys deserve the Nobel prize.
posted on June 26th, 2010 at 6:50 pm
David
Brilliant. Awesome, just what is needed, no worries about Updating IP (which my router cant do), can turn desktop PC off without concern of autoupdate client not working.
Just fantastic - thank you.
posted on June 27th, 2010 at 9:08 am
Sam S
Thank you!!! This is exactly what I have been looking for. I have many friends with kids who don’t have the time or technical know how to deal with configuring parental controls and this simplicity is a solid alternative.
posted on June 27th, 2010 at 10:01 am
Renel
You Guys ROCKS.. It’s free and very easy to setup.
We are a previous Open DNS user but we switch to Google DNS for the past few months because of Lower Latency. Then last night I searched for alternative to k9 web protection and someone mentioned FamilyShield by Open DNS. I tried and its great. There is no hassle of configuring individual computers. I only have to configure the router. THanks Again
Thanks for the FamilyShield.
posted on June 28th, 2010 at 1:47 pm
froilanr
I’m very glad you provided a free service just like FamilyShield. I shared this technology to my friends already.
Thanks and God bless OpenDNS team. Keep up the good work.
posted on June 29th, 2010 at 1:22 am
How to Protect Your Family From the Wild Wild Web for Free!
[…] and/or cost a lot of money. Then I saw the announcement this week from OpenDNS on their new, free FamilyShield Parental Controls […]
posted on June 29th, 2010 at 8:01 am
bob
Thanks guys, I love your services.
posted on June 29th, 2010 at 9:35 am
Travis
What about laptops and devices that travel in and out of the home network–kids take things everywhere these days!
posted on June 30th, 2010 at 1:22 pm
Laura Oppenheimer
Hi Travis,
That’s a great question! If you set up FamilyShield on the router level, any device connecting to your wifi network will also be protected — within the house.
When your kids take their devices out of the house, to school, a friends house, etc, they won’t be protected by FamilyShield, since they aren’t getting online through your protected network.
Does that make sense?
-Laura
posted on June 30th, 2010 at 4:19 pm
Arthur Cybulski
This is in response to Travis. (6/30/2010)
You can go into the network settings on a laptop, and simply “ONLY” change the DNS settings, while leaving the IP, Subnet Mask, and Gateway section as DHCP.
posted on July 1st, 2010 at 6:02 am
Web Filters to Protect Kids | Home-Router – Home PC security and news
[…] The one feature currently missing is a white list for sites you want to allow the CEO said a filtering white list will be coming in the future. This entry was posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink. […]
posted on July 1st, 2010 at 6:51 pm
Michael Jackson
Excellent idea! This will make setting up a safe, secure network a lot easier for those of us with dynamic IP addresses.
posted on July 1st, 2010 at 9:03 pm
OpenDNS introduces FamilyShield: Parents educate yourself and your family
[…] @ leofelix, free registration is not necessary. It is enough to change DNS settings. More info here Reply With Quote + Reply to Thread « SuperAntispyware Updated! | - […]
posted on July 2nd, 2010 at 6:24 am
Adrian
Is this the same/better/worse than the Live Parental Controls that is available for my Netgear Router?
posted on July 8th, 2010 at 8:13 am
OpenDNS Complements ComputerTime’s Protection
[…] on the Family Shield announcement here. […]
posted on July 10th, 2010 at 1:00 pm
Kobbara
It is great, I do not know how to thank you guys, keep this good deeds, God bless you>>
I have noteed that altho i use OpenDns, youtube is still working with its 1000s so bad clips, I realy don’t know what to do to filter its content when they are in defrent langues.
does familyShiled solve this?
many thanks for
posted on July 10th, 2010 at 10:25 pm
Laura Oppenheimer
Hi Kobarra,
FamilyShield doesn’t block YouTube — it only blocks adult content and pornography.
If you are having issues getting YouTube blocked, feel free to drop a note to our support team: http://www.opendns.com/support/contact/
Thanks!
-Laura
posted on July 12th, 2010 at 10:29 am
James
Great news. One question though, how does this compare to the filtering levels of the basic account? Is it comparable to “low,” “moderate,” or “high”
posted on July 22nd, 2010 at 8:33 am
Allison Rhodes
@James - OpenDNS Basic blocks only phishing and some malware by default, but it gives you the flexibility to block any of our 57 filtering categories. Totally customizable and totally up to you. By contrast, FamilyShield blocks pornography, anonymizers, phishing and some malware by default. We recommend FamilyShield as an easier way to get up and running with OpenDNS. If you want more control, stick with OpenDNS Basic.
Allison Rhodes
Director of Marketing
OpenDNS.com
posted on July 22nd, 2010 at 8:54 am
Jo
It works well ONLY if your webbrowser is configured to access internet directly. If otherwise, IP of domain is resolved by proxy server without using dns servers and whole protection is gone…
Any hints for such case?
posted on July 25th, 2010 at 10:42 am
SSE
Hi,
I setup FamilyShield few days ago. After one day I noticed the porn sites are accessible again. The “Client Lease Time” on my router’s DHCP Server Setting is 1440 minutes. Does that have anything to do with it? What should the Client Lease Time be set at? Or do I have a different problem?
posted on August 5th, 2010 at 10:05 am
Laura Oppenheimer
Hi SSE,
It’s hard to diagnose what might cause that to happen without knowing a little more. If you get in touch with our Support Team (http://www.opendns.com/support/contact/) we can take a look!
-Laura
posted on August 9th, 2010 at 2:30 pm
Jasslo
Hello,
Great service, thanks! One question though : is FamilyShield protection essentially English-based or is it international? For example i live in France, does FamilyShield also protect from French adult sites?
posted on August 10th, 2010 at 5:23 am
Laura Oppenheimer
Hi Jasslo,
That’s a great question. FamilyShield will work for adult sites in any language.
Bon courage!
-Laura
posted on August 10th, 2010 at 11:04 am
PCSDesk » Blog Archive » OpenDNS FamilyShield
[…] For the past couple of years, PCS has been configuring our customer’s networking environments to utilize the OpenDNS service for both its stability and speed, and now there’s another reason to get on the OpenDNS bandwagon: FamilyShield. […]
posted on August 29th, 2010 at 9:03 am