My DNS settings were changed to use Google's DNS without my knowledge.

[willyd]

I heard there was an nsa bug released that was doing this ... don’t have details

[Skywise]

If each computer switched on their own it has to be some software on each pc. Most likely the web browser and most likely a plug in on that browser that’s installed on all the PCs too.

I can’t think of any malware that would redirect you to google - Comcast would auto assign you to their DNS’ so I can only suspect some “helpful” program.

I’d also ask around in your house if somebody wasn’t trying to bypass your filters :)

[dhs12345]

OpenDNS is not the issue. It works great!

The problem is that at least two of the computers on my network, possibly more, have had their network adapter settings forced to use the Goggle DNS.

This was done without my knowledge.

[JamesP81]

There are ways and there are ways.

[dhs12345]

I think that your right. Google Chrome, acceleration setting? I read that somewhere.

Oh wait, I am using Google Earth on both computers and the may need to know the computer's location.

That is common to both. I am using Chrome on the Win 10 computer and Firefox on the Win7 computer.

[Rashputin]

Then it's probably something you permitted to share location data. That's the culprit I've seen switching away from OpenDNS at least.

[mass55th]

I have Spectrum (Time Warner) as my provider. I just checked the DNS on my MacBook Pro, which I use with Safari, and the DNS is one that is assigned to Spectrum. On my iMac, I use a VPN, which has it’s own DNS setting, and overrides any others. I have used Express VPN for several years now.

[dhs12345]

Thanks everyone. I switched the nic on my laptop back to automatic and it used the DNS handed down to my laptop by my router. All is well. OpenDNS and the porn filter is working again. Whew!

Don't want the wife or son stumbling across any bad websites.

Very likely Google Earth changed the settings. Uninstalling.

HOWEVER, this changing of my DNS settings only happened very recently. The software that reports my IP address to OpenDNS will complain if the settings are not correct and today (or maybe yesterday) was the first time that it stopped working.

[dhs12345]

You are correct. Google Earth?

However, it only happened recently — yesterday, the day before. The OpenDNS software complains when the router/DNS settings are not correct.

[dhs12345]

I am running PCs and the culprit might be Google Earth. Although it is possible that Google Earth might reset your nic settings on your Macs.

[Mariner]

Are you using the Firefox browser?

Their latest major update set the default search to Google, no matter what preference you had selected prior.

[mass55th]

I don’t use Google, or Google Earth on either of my macs. My old iMac is so old, that the OS can’t be upgraded. I have to use Firefox on that because the old Safari browser doesn’t have the capability to access some of the websites it used to. I only use that computer for a short time each day, and only with my VPN for downloading. I don’t access any sites unless I’m connected to my VPN.

[Rashputin]

I use OpenDNS, too, and I've seen Weather sites, and about half the sites where you buy on line request location data. Anything that uses location data may swap to a different DNS server because they consider it reliable. That I've seen, some switch to the default you ISP provides, some to Google.

Specific companies I recall changing it are Best Buy, Target, Woolrich, Land's End, and The Weather Channel. I switched those to not share location data by deleting all the related cookies and refusing to share location data later when asked at the site.

I don't know what does it without asking but I'm sure they're are some that do. I don't know if those specific sites still change your data, but don't rule out just shopping somewhere as a potential culprit.

[dhs12345]

All of the above: Firefox, Chrome, IE, and Edge.

A guess: when you use a google app (or Firefox?) it changes the hardware settings on your nic so that all access, whether through a Google app or another app, uses the Google DNS.

[dhs12345]

Good thing. :)

Ya. I guess that it is a feature. Apparently, Google Earth or whatever uses your ISP assigned IP address to get your location and once it knows your location it can then make recommendations.

I wish that I had known. Good news is that it just happened and it is easily fixed.

Your VPN probably controls the DNS settings. Although it is possible that, in order for it to work, that your VPN might change your nic settings.

[dhs12345]

That would be annoying. The reason why we use OpenDNS is to control content. Many companies use OpenDNS, too.

The good news is that the OpenDNS program, OpenDNS Updater, will complain if the settings are not right. I run it every time I log into my primary laptop.

The software reports my ISP assigned IP address to OpenDNS. I don't have static IP address; costs extra.

[Drago]

I use Google Earth Pro on an older Mac Pro...no changes to my manual DNS/IP settings. Currently have 1.1.1.1 as primary DNS with Comcast as secondary DNS’s.

Google Earth is great for live satellite fire spotting using this “.KML” file data: https://fsapps.nwcg.gov/afm/googleearth.php?sensor=viirs&extent=conus

For smoke patterns I use this site: https://www.ospo.noaa.gov/Products/land/hms.html

[dhs12345]

Good. Keep an eye on it if you care. Probably not hurting anything unless you have a preferred DNS. And you are probably safe since you are using a Mac.

Me too — Google Earth for biking trails. Odd that only recently did it change my nic settings. Hey, I wonder if Google makes money every time it directs DNS data. Also, this means that they control our network completely. So, if they chose to block specific sites, then they can. Scary.

[goldstategop]

I use Google DNS to get around censorship filters.

[dhs12345]

Until they decide to filter certain websites they deem bad. Is it true that their search engine filters out conservative content?

A search engine filter is one thing, a DNS filter is another.