OpenDNS on a dynamic IP

[Tech9]

What do I need to search for to know it's working properly?

Check OpenDNS dashboard. Enable stats and logs, if you like.

 

[Zastoff]

OK thanks for confirming that. I'll check the log entries in the morning. What do I need to search for to know it's working properly?

This can also be used to check that it works

GitHub - thuantran/dnscrypt-asuswrt-installer: dnscrypt installer for Asus router with merlin firmware

dnscrypt installer for Asus router with merlin firmware - thuantran/dnscrypt-asuswrt-installer

github.com

 

[TheLyppardMan]

This can also be used to check that it works

GitHub - thuantran/dnscrypt-asuswrt-installer: dnscrypt installer for Asus router with merlin firmware

dnscrypt installer for Asus router with merlin firmware - thuantran/dnscrypt-asuswrt-installer

github.com

I've just run the command specified on the web page above, but I didn't get the result I was supposed to get. Instead, I got this:-

 

[Zastoff]

I've just run the command specified on the web page above, but I didn't get the result I was supposed to get. Instead, I got this:-
View attachment 38466

You have =text instead of =txt
Try

nslookup -type=txt debug.opendns.com

Hope this solves it

 

[TheLyppardMan]

You have =text instead of =txt
Try

nslookup -type=txt debug.opendns.com

Hope this solves it

Ah yes, one extra letter can stop the whole show. Silly me! I tried again and it did work. However, I have uninstalled it for the moment as I wasn't able to move away from OpenDNS' servers for some reason. I tried replacing the OpenDNS setting with Quad9 and then I tried changing the setting back to automatic, rebooting the router and my laptop, but still found I was connected to OpenDNS. So in the end, I uploaded a copy of my jffs that I made before trying this process and now everything is back to how it was at the start, i.e., I'm connected to my ISP's dns servers.

 

[TheLyppardMan]

Dnscrypt is now working properly and updating my registered IP address at OpenDNS. I had some trouble trying to log in to my OpenDNS account (I think I may have changed some of my account information recently after losing my Plusnet e-mail address), so I've created a new account and all is well now:-

 

[TheLyppardMan]

However, having just put OpenDNS to a simple test, it failed miserably, so I've re-enabled BT's filters for the time being. I simply went onto Google and looked for gambling websites (a category I had blocked on OpenDNS) and I was able to visit the websites, including the UK's National Lottery. I then tried the built-in Trend filters and they blocked both sites, as did the BT's filters. I thought OpenDNS were better than that.

 

[Gary_Dexter]

However, having just put OpenDNS to a simple test, it failed miserably, so I've re-enabled BT's filters for the time being. I simply went onto Google and looked for gambling websites (a category I had blocked on OpenDNS) and I was able to visit the websites, including the UK's National Lottery. I then tried the built-in Trend filters and they blocked both sites, as did the BT's filters. I thought OpenDNS were better than that.

Have you definitely got the opendns account setup correctly with the right wan ip on your account?

 

[TheLyppardMan]

Have you definitely got the opendns account setup correctly with the right wan ip on your account?

Well it was gathering statistics about visited domains and also when I tried the website test for OpenDNS, it showed that I was using their service (I got the big tick, rather than the red cross).

 

[Gary_Dexter]

Did you check what category the gambling sites get blocked under just to be certain?

 

[TheLyppardMan]

Did you check what category the gambling sites get blocked under just to be certain?

Sorry but I don't know exactly what you mean. The gambling sites weren't blocked by OpenDNS and I don't think I can check with the BT or Trend service can I?

I've just found one of the entries that wasn't blocked by OpenDNS...

and if I click on "block similar domains" I get this...

 

[Gary_Dexter]

It should be blocked under the gambling category yes.

 

[Tech9]

Changes to OpenDNS dashboard are not instant. I don't use the service, but I have tested it before and it was working very well. You have the option to choose between OpenDNS and BT's services, @TheLyppardMan. I believe both are good enough for what you need, and free. If you want better, perhaps paid accounts to Cleanbrowsing or NextDNS are possible options. Pi-hole with selected blocklists is another option.

 

[TheLyppardMan]

Changes to OpenDNS dashboard are not instant. I don't use the service, but I have tested it before and it was working very well. You have the option to choose between OpenDNS and BT's services, @TheLyppardMan. I believe both are good enough for what you need, and free. If you want better, perhaps paid accounts to Cleanbrowsing or NextDNS are possible options. Pi-hole with selected blocklists is another option.

Yes, I do realise that there is a few minutes delay before changes take place (I've used OpenDNS for many years), but that doesn't stretch to more than 24 hours in my example. Also, the second screenshot suggests that OpenDNS has classified the website correctly as "Gambling", so why didn't it block the gambling site I tested it? It's therefore not as reliable as I had believed, so I've gone back to BT's servers for the time being, but a possible drawback with that is Google Safe Search is on by default and cannot be disabled without turning the filtering off altogether. I'll have to see how it goes. The Trend filtering has a drawback too; you can't whitelist or blacklist any websites.

 

[TheLyppardMan]

I've sent a message to OpenDNS support this evening as this doesn't make any sense to me at the moment. I'll update this thread if/when a solution for this problem is found.