Getting Started with SafeDNS
Instructions for installation and configuration
SafeDNS filtering service is compatible with practically any device connected to the internet. We make safe internet available for users of Windows, Linux and MacOS on laptops, netbooks, tablets, mobile phones and smartphones.
On this page, we have accumulated detailed instructions for different platforms.
If you are well-informed on network technologies you can read the articles below for instructions. Otherwise, we recommend you to start with the General Notes on Computer Networks and DNS service.
FAQ/How-Tos
Answers to the most popular questions you can find on the FAQ page.
How to set up a schedule for filtering
How to block top-level domains (TLDs)
How to set up multi-policy filtering on networking devices behind NAT
SafeDNS TLS: How to install SafeDNS root certificate to show block page for HTTPS sites
New! How to set up role-based access control for your SafeDNS account
DSL/WiFi routers users
Configuration on DSL/WiFi Routers
SafeDNS setup on Dovado Routers
SafeDNS setup on DD-WRT Routers
SafeDNS setup on OpenWRT Routers
Multi-policy filtering on OpenWRT Routers
How to set up SafeDNS service on routers with OpenWRT firmware
List of OpenWRT-based routers compatible with the SafeDNS
How to apply different filtering policies for devices behind NAT on Dovado routers
Windows users
SafeDNS Agent Manual
New! Remote management of SafeDNS Agent filtering profiles
Unattended Installation of SafeDNS Agent
Manual DNS configuration on Windows 7
SafeDNS set up on Windows 10
How to configure SafeDNS with dynamic IP using ddclient
Access to Active Directory (AD) resources with SafeDNS
Mobile Users
SafeDNS setup on Android tablets/smartphones (static IP)
SafeDNS Web Filtering Setup on iOS and Android Devices
Mac OS users
How to set up OpenVPN on MacOS X
Linux users
Configuration for Linux and FreeBSD with static IP
Configuration for Linux and FreeBSD with dynamic IP
Migration guides
OpenDNS to SafeDNS migration guide (with settings saving) [PDF]
SafeDNS APIs guides
Other useful information
Check and update the categorization of websites
SafeDNS Global Anycast Network (Servers Location)
General Notes on Computer Networks and the DNS Service
Computers and other devices have unique identifiers to recognize each other on the global scale. In the Internet IP addresses act as such identifiers.
IP address looks like 193.23.56.184. If the computer's IP address never changes over time it is called a static IP address. If the IP address changes each time the computer connects to the Internet, then such IP address is called dynamic.
Static IP addresses are usually given to servers that perform important functions, such as processing emails, supporting sites, sharing files, etc. There are some Internet Service Providers who give static IP addresses to all their clients by default, but more often it is necessary to make a special contract with the provider to get a static IP address.
Dynamic IP addresses are usually given to users who don't have a permanent dedicated Internet access — those who use modems, DSL or GPRS/3G/LTE for portable devices. In this case, each time the computer connects to the Internet it is given a new IP address from the range owned by the provider.
Thus, computers on the Internet recognize each other by IP addresses. However, human beings find it easier to memorize sites by their names, or domains. It is easier for us to find a search engine by its name, like google.com, rather than by its IP address, like 173.194.32.180.
The DNS service relates domain names to their IP addresses. It can be compared to a phone book in which you find a person's phone number by his name.
What you need to know to use SafeDNS
First of all, it is necessary to find out what kind of external IP address you have: static or dynamic. Your Internet provider's support specialists will tell you the answer to this question.
It is easier to start using SafeDNS if you have a static IP address, as all you need to do is attach your IP address to your account through the dashboard on SafeDNS.com and add the DNS addresses of our service in your network settings. No additional applications are required.
In case of dynamic IP address, you need to make additional settings in your router or computer according to our guides or use special program SafeDNS Agent.
Possible problems
Modern telecommunication networks have a complicated architecture. Their peculiarities may sometimes hamper or disable the work of our service.
Some Internet providers use the NAT technology which allows all users to share the same IP address. But, this technology hampers or disables the work of many additional services, such as SafeDNS. To overcome this problem you can install SafeDNS Agent on your computer.
Also, some Internet providers (or internet gateways of organizations) use a transparent proxy to speed up users' work and reduce traffic. The problem is that this technology can interfere with the general work of SafeDNS and prevents us from blocking forbidden sites. We have a special feature which lets SafeDNS work in such cases too.
We are working towards overcoming other limitations of the DNS technology and expect SafeDNS to perform its functions in any environment. At present, we recommend contacting our technical support whenever you face a problem with incorrect work of our service.
