I recently came across the problem where my IP address was not being updated at OpenDNS.  As I run a router, I had wondered if the router was maybe preventing the updates.  In order to provide OpenDNS’s DNS server updates on my network, I installed the DD-WRT firmware on my Motorola WR850G wireless router, and put the DNS entries there, instead of on each individual computer (which can be overridden).  I have been running the OpenDNS Updater utility, but while it detected my public IP address properly, updates were not getting to OpenDNS to filter my network.

Fortunately, DD-WRT is highly configurable, and there is a way you can trigger updates from the router, rather than the computer.  This page in the DD-WRT wiki gives the details for changing your router settings.  You can go one further and enter router commands that will block any attempt from computers on your network from bypassing the custom DNS server settings.

Our previous blog post about OpenDNS gives a primer on what DNS does for your internet browsing, as well as the various ways OpenDNS is better than using your internet provider’s DNS service.  Be sure to give it a look!