How to check if a computer is using OpenDNS
In response to the recent DNS problems on the Internet I had earlier suggested changing some network configuration parameters to use the free OpenDNS service.
As I did this myself for a number of machines that I maintain, the question arose of verifying the change. That is, how can someone, particularly a non-technical computer user, ensure that their computer is configured to use OpenDNS?
This is, it turns out, remarkably easy.
Go to www.opendns.com. At the top of the home page, just under the tabs, there will be a message whose content depends on whether the computer is using OpenDNS or not.
If the computer is not using OpenDNS, the message reads: "Start using the world's largest and fastest-growing DNS service. Make your network safer, faster, smarter and more reliable. It's free." See a full size image.
If the computer is using OpenDNS, the message reads: "You're using OpenDNS. Thanks! You are now navigating the Internet safer, faster, smarter and more reliably than ever before." See a full size image.
Update: According to the company, this should work for all operating systems.
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Michael Horowitz is an independent computer consultant and the author of several classes on Defensive Computing. He is a member of the CNET Blog Network, and is not an employee of CNET. Disclosure. 
