OpenDNS

Website

opendns.com

Categories

#Security & Privacy #DNS Tools #DNS #Ad Blockers

Norton ConnectSafe

Website

dns.norton.com

Categories

#DNS Tools #Domain Names #Network & Admin #Security & Privacy

OpenDNS features and specs

• Improved Security
  OpenDNS offers robust protection against phishing attacks, malware, and botnets by blocking access to known malicious domains.
• Enhanced Control
  Users get granular control over website access, enabling custom filtering to block inappropriate or unsafe sites, which is especially useful for parents and schools.
• Faster DNS Resolution
  OpenDNS aims to provide faster domain name resolution, potentially reducing the time it takes to load websites compared to using ISPs' DNS services.
• DNS Uptime
  With globally distributed servers, OpenDNS ensures high availability and reliability, minimizing the risk of DNS outages.
• Detailed Analytics
  OpenDNS provides insightful web usage statistics and reports that can help identify trends and potential security threats.
• Device Compatibility
  It is compatible with multiple platforms and devices, making it easy to configure on routers, computers, and mobile devices.
• Ease of Use
  The service is straightforward to set up, often requiring only a simple change in DNS settings on your device or router.

Possible disadvantages of OpenDNS

• Privacy Concerns
  By using OpenDNS, users are subject to its terms of service and privacy policy, which may involve data logging and sharing with third parties.
• Limited Free Features
  The free version of OpenDNS has limited features compared to the premium offerings, which may not be sufficient for all users.
• Potential Circumvention
  Tech-savvy users or devices can potentially circumvent OpenDNS filtering by manually changing DNS settings to another provider.
• Dependency on Third-Party Service
  Relying on an external DNS service introduces an additional point of dependency, which could be problematic if the service experiences outages or disruptions.
• Geographic Performance Variations
  Performance improvements in DNS resolution speed may vary based on geographic location due to the proximity of OpenDNS servers.
• Complex Configuration for Advanced Features
  Utilizing some of the advanced features, like custom filtering and detailed analytics, may require a more complex configuration that could be challenging for non-technical users.
• Limited control on Pure DNS Services
  Since OpenDNS modifies DNS requests for security and filtering purposes, users needing pure DNS services without any changes may find it restrictive.

Norton ConnectSafe features and specs

• Security Enhancement
  Norton ConnectSafe provides an additional layer of security by blocking access to malicious and harmful websites, reducing the risk of malware and phishing attacks.
• Content Filtering
  It offers different filtering policies that allow users to block certain types of content, such as adult sites, hate speech, and other categories, which is helpful for parents and organizations.
• Easy Setup
  The service is straightforward to configure on most devices by simply changing the DNS settings, making it accessible even for less tech-savvy users.
• Improved Internet Experience
  By blocking unwanted and harmful sites, browsing can be faster and safer, reducing loading times for legitimate sites due to less interference from ads and malicious scripts.

Possible disadvantages of Norton ConnectSafe

• Limited Customization
  Norton ConnectSafe's pre-set filtering policies may not offer the fine-grained control some users need for their specific browsing environment, limiting customization options.
• Service Discontinuation
  As of November 15, 2018, Norton has discontinued ConnectSafe, so users may not receive updates or support, making it less reliable for future use.
• Potential False Positives
  There is a possibility of legitimate websites being blocked due to the filtering algorithms, which can inconvenience users who need access to those sites.
• Dependency on External Service
  Relying on a third-party DNS service means trust and uptime are dependent on Norton’s infrastructure and maintenance, which might be a concern for some users.

Analysis of OpenDNS

OpenDNS - #2 - OpenDNS Review

More videos:

How to config your Window PC to use Norton ConnectSafe DNS