News

OpenDNS Aims for Consistent Web Browsing

A provider of Internet addressing services hopes to unify how you navigate the Web when using different browsers and computers.

This week, OpenDNS introduced "shortcuts" -- settings you may use to reach certain Web sites when typing in specific alphanumeric combinations in the address bar.

For instance, you can define "nyt" to bring you to the home page of The New York Times or "tech" to bring you to the site's technology section. You can define "g" to reach Google and type "g sopranos" in a browser's address bar to do a search on the television show.

Two different users can define "bank" to reach their respective online banks, or "mail" to get their primary Web-based e-mail account. OpenDNS keeps track of who's defining what.

OpenDNS provides free directory services necessary to translate a Web site's domain name into its actual numeric Internet address, so browsers can reach the site. Typically computer users get such services through their Internet service provider or corporate network; they must adjust their computer settings to use the OpenDNS service instead.

Users also must create a free account and log on to have their settings work across different browsers and computers. Otherwise, settings remain stored in a "cookie" data file, limited to the browser and the computer in which the setting was created.

Opera Software ASA's Opera browser has similar shortcuts, but settings on one don't affect other browsers or computers. Other browsers including Mozilla's Firefox and Microsoft Corp.'s Internet Explorer have different ways of handling what gets typed into the address bar.

David Ulevitch, OpenDNS's chief executive, said the goal behind the shortcuts was to give its 500,000 to 750,000 users a more consistent experience.

Featured

  • Microsoft Offers Support Extensions for Exchange 2016 and 2019

    Microsoft has introduced a paid Extended Security Update (ESU) program for on-premises Exchange Server 2016 and 2019, offering a crucial safety cushion as both versions near their Oct. 14, 2025 end-of-support date.

  • An image of planes flying around a globe

    2025 Microsoft Conference Calendar: For Partners, IT Pros and Developers

    Here's your guide to all the IT training sessions, partner meet-ups and annual Microsoft conferences you won't want to miss.

  • Notebook

    Microsoft Centers AI, Security and Partner Dogfooding at MCAPS

    Microsoft's second annual MCAPS for Partners event took place Tuesday, delivering a volley of updates and directives for its partners for fiscal 2026.

  • Microsoft Layoffs: AI Is the Obvious Elephant in the Room

    As Microsoft doubles down on an $80 billion bet on AI this fiscal year, its workforce reductions are drawing scrutiny over whether AI's ascent is quietly reshaping its human capital strategy, even as official messaging avoids drawing a direct line.