topic Re: Possible to block domains on kid's devices but leave parents open? in OpenDNS

Possible to block domains on kid's devices but leave parents open?

chmwatson — Sun, 01 Mar 2015 02:22:36 GMT

I'm a newb to OpenDNS. Been scanning through previous forum posts, searching them and googling OpenDNS to see if there is some way that I can set up to block content on my kids devices, but leave mine un-blocked content.. I realize there is likely some customizing that may need to be done to apply settings to specific IP addresses in my network? But is this type of situation even possible? Before I go digging deeper to see how to set it up... Any help appreciated. Thanks

Re: Possible to block domains on kid's devices but leave parents open?

mattwilson9090 — Sun, 01 Mar 2015 03:18:41 GMT

OpenDNS does not block content, webpages, or websites, it only blocks domains. Many people equate the two, and often blocking a domain is sufficient to block an associated website, but it is a critical difference.

If you are using the free home service and every device is configured to use OpenDNS because you configured it at the router level, manually on each device, or some other configuration method then you cannot have separate settings. The same settings apply to everything.

The various pay services, such as Umbrella Prosumer do offer different options at different price points depending on your needs. Depending on which pay service you use you could configure things by user, device, or have a bypass code that you could use to temporarily allow access to a website that is otherwise blocked.

Re: Possible to block domains on kid's devices but leave parents open?

rotblitz — Sun, 01 Mar 2015 15:01:28 GMT

"Possible to block domains on kid's devices but leave parents open?"

Sure, you have two alternative options:

Either configure the OpenDNS resolver addresses on the router, and configure the parents' devices with a different DNS service.
Or configure the OpenDNS resolver addresses only on the kids' devices, but leave the router and the other devices alone.

Essential for both methods is that only the kids' devices use OpenDNS for their DNS lookups.
You have to configure what is to be blocked on the kids' devices at your dashboard then: https://dashboard.opendns.com/settings/

Re: Possible to block domains on kid's devices but leave parents open?

chmwatson — Mon, 02 Mar 2015 02:03:28 GMT

thank you. this helps