OpenDNS

OpenDNS
OpenDNS · Public domain · source
Name	OpenDNS
Type	Subsidiary
Industry	Computer networking
Founded	2005
Founders	David Ulevitch
Fate	Acquired by Cisco Systems (2015)
Headquarters	San Francisco, California
Products	DNS resolution, content filtering, security services
Parent	Cisco Systems

OpenDNS

OpenDNS is a commercial Domain Name System (DNS) resolution and internet security company founded in 2005. It provides recursive DNS services, content filtering, phishing protection, and enterprise security products that intersect with technologies from companies such as Cisco Systems, Google, Microsoft Corporation, Amazon Web Services, and Cloudflare. The service has been adopted by consumers, educational institutions, and enterprises alongside offerings from NortonLifeLock, McAfee, Symantec Corporation, and Palo Alto Networks.

History

OpenDNS was founded by David Ulevitch in 2005 and grew during a period marked by rapid expansion in internet infrastructure that included projects by ICANN, IETF, and initiatives from VeriSign. Early adoption paralleled shifts in internet services led by Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Wikipedia where reliable name resolution became critical. The company navigated regulatory and technical environments shaped by cases and policies involving FTC, FCC, and standards from IETF. OpenDNS expanded through partnerships and product launches while competitors such as Google Public DNS, Quad9, and Level 3 Communications evolved. In 2015 OpenDNS was acquired by Cisco Systems, aligning it with Cisco’s security strategy alongside acquisitions including Sourcefire, Duo Security, and OpenDNS''s integration into Cisco consolidated offerings alongside Cisco Umbrella and other enterprise services.

Services and Features

OpenDNS offers recursive DNS resolution, customizable content filtering, and phishing/malware blocking used by households and organizations including Harvard University, Stanford University, and municipal deployments in cities like New York City. Consumer services include parental controls comparable to products from Kaspersky Lab and Trend Micro, while enterprise features integrate threat intelligence similar to services from FireEye and CrowdStrike. The platform supports analytics and reporting used by IT teams at companies such as Salesforce, Dropbox, and Adobe Systems. It provides APIs, dashboard controls, and policy management akin to capabilities from Okta and Cisco Meraki for network administrators.

Technology and Infrastructure

OpenDNS operates a distributed anycast network and global resolvers that leverage network engineering principles developed by organizations including ARIN, RIPE NCC, and APNIC. Its DNS infrastructure interoperates with standards from IETF working groups and implementations influenced by software projects such as BIND, Unbound, and dnsmasq. The service integrates with cloud platforms and CDNs run by Akamai Technologies, Fastly, and Cloudflare while supporting enterprise network topologies found in data centers run by Equinix and providers like Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services. High-availability design draws on practices from Netflix engineering and uses monitoring tools and telemetry comparable to those from New Relic and Datadog.

Security and Privacy

Security features include domain blocking, threat intelligence feeds, and DNS-layer defenses that complement endpoint security vendors such as Symantec Corporation and McAfee. OpenDNS’s anti-phishing and malicious-domain detection relate to research produced by institutions like MIT, Stanford University, and teams at SRI International. Privacy and data handling faced scrutiny in environments influenced by legal frameworks such as WIPO policies and discussions involving EFF and ACLU advocates. The company’s approach interoperates with standards like DNSSEC developed by IETF and complements network security architectures promoted by NIST and enterprises including IBM Security. Integration with security orchestration platforms echoes capabilities from Splunk and Palo Alto Networks.

Business Model and Partnerships

OpenDNS operates a freemium model for consumer services and subscription licensing for enterprise and education customers, competing with cloud security providers including Zscaler and Cisco Umbrella. Strategic partnerships and channel relationships include managed service providers, resellers, and alliances with firms such as Accenture, Deloitte, and Capgemini. Post-acquisition, its product lines were integrated into Cisco’s portfolio alongside collaborations with hardware partners like Dell Technologies and Hewlett Packard Enterprise. The company engaged with advertising and analytics ecosystems that involve players such as Comcast, Verizon Communications, and content platforms like Netflix.

Adoption and Impact

OpenDNS influenced consumer and institutional DNS practices while promoting DNS-based security that informed offerings from Google Public DNS and Quad9. Adoption occurred across ISPs, educational networks, and corporate environments including deployments by organizations similar to NASA and US Department of Defense research labs that emphasize resilient name resolution. Its presence helped spur regulatory and technical conversations involving ICANN, IETF, and privacy advocates such as EFF about the role of outsourced DNS services. The company’s technology impacted threat intelligence sharing models used by coordination efforts like FIRST and security conferences such as Black Hat, DEF CON, and RSA Conference.

Category:Computer networking companies