Is OpenDNS FamilyShield Secure?
Independent privacy and security audit of OpenDNS FamilyShield DNS servers, with live monitoring data.
Last updated March 26, 2026
OpenDNS FamilyShield fails multiple security checks. We recommend considering a provider with better privacy and security features.
Security Audit Results
| Check | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| DNSSEC Validation | Yes | Validates DNSSEC signatures, protecting against DNS spoofing. |
| NXDOMAIN Hijacking | Yes | Redirects non-existent domains to its own servers instead of returning NXDOMAIN. This can leak browsing data and break applications. |
| DNS-over-TLS (DoT) | Not supported | DNS queries are sent in plain text over this protocol. |
| DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH) | Not supported | No DoH endpoint available. |
| Logging Policy | Same as OpenDNS | |
| Reliability | 87% | Based on continuous monitoring from our probe network. |
OpenDNS FamilyShield DNS Addresses
| Type | IP Address | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary | 208.67.222.123 |
|
| Secondary | 208.67.220.123 |
Test OpenDNS FamilyShield Yourself
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Run Privacy Check on 208.67.222.123How OpenDNS FamilyShield Compares
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is OpenDNS FamilyShield safe to use?
OpenDNS FamilyShield fails several key security checks. Consider switching to a provider that supports DNSSEC, encrypted DNS, and does not hijack NXDOMAIN responses.
Does OpenDNS FamilyShield log DNS queries?
OpenDNS FamilyShield logging policy: Same as OpenDNS. Always review the provider's current privacy policy for the latest details.
Does OpenDNS FamilyShield support encrypted DNS?
OpenDNS FamilyShield does not support encrypted DNS (neither DoT nor DoH). Your DNS queries travel in plain text and can be monitored by your ISP.
How reliable is OpenDNS FamilyShield?
OpenDNS FamilyShield (208.67.222.123) has a reliability score of 87% based on our continuous monitoring. This is acceptable uptime.
What are the DNS addresses for OpenDNS FamilyShield?
Primary: 208.67.222.123, Secondary: 208.67.220.123. Configure both for redundancy.