How to Navigate ISP Restrictions: My Experience with OpenDNS

Recently, I encountered an issue with my Internet Service Provider (ISP) regarding certain website access. It turns out they utilize OpenDNS to block specific categories of sites by default. After contacting customer support to have these restrictions lifted, I was told it was possible, but only if I paid for a “public IP address” at an additional cost of 100 ZAR per month. Naturally, this raised questions for me about the legitimacy of this fee—was it a necessary service or just an inventive way to squeeze more money from customers?

The sites affected by this filtering included those featuring adult content and popular torrent sites like RARBG. While I could easily bypass these restrictions using a Virtual Private Network (VPN), I was reluctant to take that route. After all, VPNs can often slow down internet speeds, which is not ideal for my browsing experience. Furthermore, it’s worth noting that I never requested these restrictions in the first place, making it feel even more unnecessary.

After sharing my dilemma and receiving advice from the community, I did a bit more digging. Many users offered suggestions on how to address the issue without incurring additional costs. Some recommended changing the DNS settings on my computer or device to leverage Google’s public DNS, which is known for its straightforward functionality.

Curious about this approach, I looked up the steps to change my DNS settings, and to my delight, it worked! I no longer encountered the frustrating “website blocked due to content filtering” messages. It was surprising that I had not come across this solution during my initial searches on how to bypass OpenDNS. Perhaps it was a matter of missed information or simply an off day for my search skills.

In conclusion, if you find yourself in a similar situation with your ISP, don’t hesitate to explore your options. You might discover that simple adjustments, like changing your DNS settings, can free you from unnecessary restrictions without the need for added expenses. Thanks to everyone who chimed in to help; your insights were invaluable!