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Technical News & Discussion => Broadband, Internet & General Computer News & Discussion => Topic started by: net91 on Apr 16, 2011, 17:26:32

Title: A reason not to use OpenDNS / Google DNS?
Post by: net91 on Apr 16, 2011, 17:26:32
Interesting article here with a possible major disadvantage of using Google DNS / Open DNS.

http://apcmag.com/why-using-google-dns-opendns-is-a-bad-idea.htm (http://apcmag.com/why-using-google-dns-opendns-is-a-bad-idea.htm)
Title: Re: A reason not to use OpenDNS / Google DNS?
Post by: Simon on Apr 16, 2011, 17:32:02
I guess they're still useful for diagnostic purposes.  Personally, I've never switched from IDNet's DNS.
Title: Re: A reason not to use OpenDNS / Google DNS?
Post by: net91 on Apr 16, 2011, 17:32:59
I think I'll be switching back very soon.
Title: Re: A reason not to use OpenDNS / Google DNS?
Post by: Bill on Apr 16, 2011, 17:43:07
Shouldn't be a problem with OpenDNS, they have European servers.

When you go to their site, I think it gives the ones appropriate to where your IP address is coming from (208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220 for Europe).

I wouldn't use the Google ones anyway- don't trust that company :P
Title: Re: A reason not to use OpenDNS / Google DNS?
Post by: Steve on Apr 16, 2011, 17:46:35
In fact Open DNS have a server in London, so you should get the correct geographical download server.
Title: Re: A reason not to use OpenDNS / Google DNS?
Post by: pctech on Apr 16, 2011, 17:52:41
Not sure whether OpenDNS load balances by randomising which cluster services each request though Steve.

Title: Re: A reason not to use OpenDNS / Google DNS?
Post by: Bill on Apr 16, 2011, 18:01:22
Quote from: Steve on Apr 16, 2011, 17:46:35
In fact Open DNS have a server in London, so you should get the correct geographical download server.
Thanks- I knew it was in Europe, wasn't sure where :P
Title: Re: A reason not to use OpenDNS / Google DNS?
Post by: Technical Ben on Apr 17, 2011, 07:31:41
Quote from: Bill on Apr 16, 2011, 17:43:07
Shouldn't be a problem with OpenDNS, they have European servers.

When you go to their site, I think it gives the ones appropriate to where your IP address is coming from (208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220 for Europe).

I wouldn't use the Google ones anyway- don't trust that company :P

My open DNS does not give me problems. So until Akima starts lagging (well, youtube does some times), I'll stick to them. If they need my location, they can ask. Don't sniff out my location against my will. ;)
Title: Re: A reason not to use OpenDNS / Google DNS?
Post by: pctech on Apr 17, 2011, 08:25:17
DNS has always sniffed out your location, thats the whole point.

Title: Re: A reason not to use OpenDNS / Google DNS?
Post by: Bill on Apr 17, 2011, 09:05:59
Quote from: pctech on Apr 17, 2011, 08:25:17
DNS has always sniffed out your location, thats the whole point.



Hardly... it's an extra use to which DNS has been put, but it was never intended for that purpose.
Title: Re: A reason not to use OpenDNS / Google DNS?
Post by: Gary on Apr 17, 2011, 09:24:29
Norton have European servers too and one in London, in fact since they use DynDNS they have 15 world wide.  So far all of the other DNS services have for myself at least, been faster in lookups, no slower in downloads and more reliable than IDNets. The fact I can block a lot of malware, and can control content as well gives me a first layer of protection at the DNS level with no overheads, to me that makes sense.
Title: Re: A reason not to use OpenDNS / Google DNS?
Post by: pctech on Apr 17, 2011, 10:28:07
Quote from: Bill on Apr 17, 2011, 09:05:59
Hardly... it's an extra use to which DNS has been put, but it was never intended for that purpose.

When it was realised that IANA could not possibly manage the whole IP address space they were split into regions and the regional registries then split their allocations into countires.

Title: Re: A reason not to use OpenDNS / Google DNS?
Post by: Bill on Apr 17, 2011, 10:39:36
Quote from: pctech on Apr 17, 2011, 10:28:07
When it was realised that IANA could not possibly manage the whole IP address space they were split into regions and the regional registries then split their allocations into countires.

Yes, but that's only for allocation of IPs, nothing to do with the function of a DNS server. Just because an IP address was allocated by the registry in a particular country doesn't mean that's where it's being used!

Though I'll admit it's usually a fair bet.
Title: Re: A reason not to use OpenDNS / Google DNS?
Post by: sparkler on Apr 17, 2011, 17:35:39
i like using opendns i can block sites like the bbc

This domain is blocked.

Sorry, www.bbc.co.uk has been blocked by your network administrator.
Title: Re: A reason not to use OpenDNS / Google DNS?
Post by: pctech on Apr 17, 2011, 17:40:36
Why would you block sites like the bbc, if you don't like the content don't visit?

Title: Re: A reason not to use OpenDNS / Google DNS?
Post by: Technical Ben on Apr 17, 2011, 18:02:39
Because kids your all your bandwidth watching top gear? Especially when you can do so for free on Dave! :D

Or BBC was an example of a randomly pick out of your head website. With it's popularity, it's the first thing to pop up.
Title: Re: A reason not to use OpenDNS / Google DNS?
Post by: sparkler on Apr 18, 2011, 19:57:46
Quote from: pctech on Apr 17, 2011, 17:40:36
Why would you block sites like the bbc, if you don't like the content don't visit?



i don't visit but for some reason bbc stuff shows up in cache
Title: Re: A reason not to use OpenDNS / Google DNS?
Post by: Gary on Apr 19, 2011, 07:35:15
Quote from: sparkler on Apr 18, 2011, 19:57:46
i don't visit but for some reason bbc stuff shows up in cache
Maybe some sites you visit are linked to bbc feeds maybe...