Free Computer Consultant Tip-Of-The-Week for February 27, 2009
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[My apologies that this edition is so late]

"Don't Even Go There"

This week I offer you the protection of a service that costs you
absolutely nothing, requires minimal time to implement, is easy
to undo if you don't like it, and can save you immeasurable time
and trouble from malware.

It's called OpenDNS and can be found at OpenDNS.com

DNS stands for domain name system. A DNS server is what resolves
or translates a domain name into an actual internet IP address.

When you type www . FreeComputerConsultant . com into your browser
address bar, or, preferably, click on a handy toolbar link so
you can go there often, your browser has no idea where to go.

It must query a DNS server to resolve that domain name into an
internet routable address, like 74.53.27.210

Typically your ISP (internet service provider) will give you
their DNS server addresses automatically so that your computer
has access to domain name resolution service.

So what does OpenDNS do for us?

OpenDNS does the same thing - except!

OpenDNS is attempting to keep track of servers known for spreading
internet worms like the recent conficker worm and will NOT return
the address of a known infected server to your browser.

Hence, you never go there.

All of this is doable just by replacing your ISP's DNS server
addresses with the addresses of OpenDNS servers:

208.67.222.222
208.67.220.220

They take care of the rest.

But it doesn't stop there.

If you want, you can register for an account with OpenDNS, for
f*r*e*e, that allows you to customize further the protection you
get.

This is fantastic for a family or a business, because you can tell
OpenDNS NOT to server up domains known for non-family or non-business
purposes.

They have a bunch of predetermined categories and you can even specify
individual domains to block.

They even have some video tutorials.

The service works great if you have a static IP for your network---
But if you don't (most homes), no problem, they provide you with
dynamic IP service that will allow the service to work without a
static IP.

It's win, win. Keep you safe, your family safe, your business safe,
and even keep the internet safer by helping to prevent the spread of
infectious disease - so to speak.

If you really get into it, you might check out the "shortcuts" you
can create also.

If you need help, please check out the support at OpenDNS.com first;
but if you still need help, head over to my support forum and we'll
try to get you going:
http://www.freecomputerconsultant.com/forum/

Until next time...  (Don't Even Go There!)

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You can keep up with articles I write and videos I create,
for the most part, at:
http://www.AssociatedContent.com/freecomputerconsultant

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The Free Computer Consultant
http://www.FreeComputerConsultant.com