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Best Porn Blocking DNS to Block Porn on Your Network

Updated on December 29, 2025 Preview 18.3K Preview 1
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No robots used, this article has been written and edited by our team under strict editorial guidelines.
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Written by Norah Hayes
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Approved by Ethan Long

Key takeaways

OpenDNS is the most popular and feature-rich porn-blocking DNS.

But it will not work in certain situations, such as when the device is connected to a VPN.

For more reliable porn blocking, it’s recommended to use Cisdem AppCrypt - a professional porn blocker that offers password protection.

The Internet makes it easy to access information, enjoy entertainment and communicate with others. However, it also has downsides, such as the widespread availability of porn content. One common way to block porn online is by using a porn blocking DNS. This article recommends 3 best DNS porn blockers and discusses the pros and cons of these tools.

 

What is DNS?

DNS (Domain Name System) is a distributed database system used on the Internet to convert domain names to corresponding IP addresses. Each domain name (like example.com) is mapped to a specific IP address (like 198.102.438.8). When you type a domain name into a browser, the computer needs to convert the domain name to an IP address in order to establish a connection with the website. DNS provides this conversion. It acts like a phone book of the Internet, allowing computers to find and connect with specific websites.

 

How does porn blocking DNS filtering works?

When a user tries to open a website by its domain name, the computer sends a DNS request to find the website's IP address. Porn blocking DNS filtering intercepts these requests and decides whether to allow access based on a set of predefined rules. If the domain name is in the black list, or not in the white list, the porn blocking DNS will return user an error page or a custom warning message.

 

3 best porn blocker DNS to help you block porn sites

Most people use the DNS service offered by their Internet service provider. In fact, you can change your computer's DNS server at any time. There are some third-party DNS servers that can provide higher Internet speed and other useful functions, such as porn content filtering. Here, we'll take a look at three of the best porn blocker DNS to help you block access to pornographic sites.

#1 OpenDNS

OpenDNS is a company and service that provides fast and safe domain name system resolution services. It includes content filtering, which helps you efficiently block porn and other inappropriate content on the Internet.

Here are some key features of OpenDNS:

Quick resolution: OpenDNS utilizes load balancing and intelligent routing technologies to provide fast DNS resolution services. This means that when you try to visit a website, it can translate the domain name to its IP address faster, reducing your waiting time.

Always block list/allow list: With OpenDNS, administrator can define the Block list or Allow list as needed. For example, if you find your child always visit a porn site, you can add this site to the Always Block list. Then the next time your child tries to access this website, OpenDNS will intercept the request.

Adult content filtering: This porn blocking DNS server provides family shield, which can protect children from adult content on the Internet. You can set different filtering levels according to your needs, including Low, Moderate, High and Custom.

Network security protection: OpenDNS is also a powerful cyber security tool that can help users protect their network from a variety of online threats. You can enable the basic malware/botnet protection and phishing protection feature on its dashboard settings. This tool uses multiple malware databases and phishing website databases to protect users. It will detect and block access to known malicious and phishing websites automatically.

How to block porn sites on computer with OpenDNS free?

Below are steps on how to block porn sites on your home network for free with OpenDNS:

Step 1. Open your browser and go to opendns.com.

Step 2. Click on CONSUMER. Scroll down and find OpenDNS Home. Click the SIGN UP button.

sign in Open DNS

Step 3. Using your email address to create a free account.

Step 4. There are 2 IP address on the new window. Copy the first IP address.

Open DNS IP addresses

Step 5. Open a new tab on your browser. Go to your home router administrator page. Log in with admin password.

Step 6. Go to Settings > Internet > Advanced Settings. Paste the IP address that you got from OpenDNS in step 4 to the box of Primary DNS Server.

Step 7. Then go back to OpenDNS window and copy the second IP address. Put it to the box of Secondary DNS Server.

router setting

Step 8. Click on Save.

Step 9. Open your email box that you used to create OpenDNS account in step 3.

Click on the link sent by this porn blocking DNS server.

click the link sent by Open DNS

Step 10. Now you are on the OpenDNS dashboard. Tap on Add a network.

OpenDNS dashboard

Step 11. Usually OpenDNS will automatically detect your network. Click ADD THIS NETWORK below the IP.

Step 12. You’ll see a download link on the pop-up window to download OpenDNS Updater. Click this link and download the file. Install this application on your device. Sign in with your email. Then it will always run in the background.

give a name

Step 13. Go back to OpenDNS dashboard. Choose your filtering level according to your needs. If there are domains that you want to make sure are always blocked/always allowed, you can add them to the Manage individual domains section. Click Apply.

choose your filtering level

 

#2 DNSFilter

DNSFilter is also a well-known porn blocker DNS filtering that allows you to restrict access to porn websites and apps with a few easy steps. It also helps improve network performance, protect privacy, and prevent phishing attacks, etc. Compared with OpenDNS, this tool has more advanced settings for porn blocking.

Content filtering: DNSFilter can block inappropriate content on the Internet according to user needs. You can choose to block specific categories of websites, such as Adult Content, Games, Gambling and more. It also enables you to add specific domains to Block list/Allow list.

DNSFilter

Real-time protection: DNSFilter provides real-time domain analysis. It quickly identifies and blocks malicious websites/links, as well as harmful content from your network to reduce the risk of cyber threats.

Monitoring and reporting: DNSFilter offers different types of reports to help users understand their network usage, discover potential security issues, and adjust the sites block settings, including Insights Reporting, Data Explorer, Most Active Sites reporting and Scheduled Reports, etc. Parents of young children should take advantage of this feature. It helps you easily find the porn websites or other harmful content your kid visit frequently.

DNSFilter reports

Safe Search: With this porn blocker DNS, you can turn on the SafeSearch feature of all search engines. Filter explicit content from search results, including pornography, violence and gore.

 

#3 SafeDNS

SafeDNS is a cloud-based Internet security tool designed to protect users from malicious websites, malware, and cyber-attacks. It provides a porn blocking DNS filtering that helps users block access to websites containing adult content and other malicious content. SafeDNS offers a 15-day free trial for new users, after which you can choose the Basic, Pro, or Pro+ plan that suits you best.

SafeDNS

61 web filter categories: SafeDNS uses powerful AI to put websites on the Internet into 61 different categories, including pornography, child sexual abuse, games, gambling, shopping, education, and more. Users can choose specific categories to filter or allow access.

Filtering schedule: SafeDNS allows users to set different filtering rules in different time periods. For example, you can allow access to educational websites during study hours, which helps improve productivity. And block shopping websites at evening. For those blocking categories that do not have a specific schedule set, such as porn, this DNS porn blocker will always block them.

 

Pros and cons of porn blocking DNS

Pros:

  1. Protect children from online pornography.
  2. Also helps stop a porn addiction.
  3. Protect users against dangerous, inappropriate sites.
  4. Prevent phishing attacks, malware threat, etc.
  5. Improve network performance.

Cons:

  1. Using VPN or proxy can easily bypass the DNS filtering.
  2. It only works on devices that connected to your network, not on devices that in other networks.
  3. The DNS porn blocker usually costs more than other professional porn blocker tool.
  4. Difficult to use for those users who are not good at computers.

 

The easiest way to block porn and unwanted sites on computers and phones

To block porn, using porn blocking DNS is not the only way. Professional porn blocker tools are also effective options, such as Cisdem AppCrypt.

Compared to the three DNS servers mentioned above, AppCrypt offers the following advantages:

  • Easier to use, with a more user-friendly interface.
  • Supports blocking all popular porn sites on the Internet with 1-click.
  • Allows you to manually add specific inappropriate websites to your custom block list.
  • Supports blocking all websites except a few, enabling stricter internet restrictions.
  • Lets you block porn-related apps as well, including social apps that may contain porn content, such as X.
  • Includes password protection to prevent others from changing your settings.

Follow the steps below to block porn on your computer or phone using this porn blocker.

For computer

Step 1. Download and install Cisdem AppCrypt on your computer.

Free Download macOS 10.12 or later Free Download Windows 10 or later

Step 2. When you first launch this tool, it will ask you to set a password. This password will be required every time you or other users of this computer want to enter/quit/uninstall AppCrypt thereafter.

set password

Step 3. Click Open Main Window on the desktop menu bar/task bar.

open main window

Step 4. Enter the password. Click OK.

enter password

Step 5. Now you are in the main window. Go to Web Block tab.

(If you are a Windows user, a window will pop up to remind you to install extensions for your browsers. Follow the guide to add the extension to Chrome and Edge browser.)

Step 6. Click Import > Porn Sites. This will block all popular porn sites on your web browsers.

You can also add specific websites/keywords you want to block to the block list.

block porn

From now on, the porn sites will be blocked permanently on your computer.

 

For iPhone

In addition to Mac and Windows, AppCrypt is also available for iPhone. AppCrypt for iPhone lets you block adult websites with a single tap. Below are steps:

1. Download and install this porn blocking tool on your phone.

Download on theApp Store

2. Open it. Go to Preferences.

Preferences

3. Turn on Adult Blocking.

Then all popular porn sites will be blocked on your phone. It's easy.

To password protect your settings, click Notifications. Turn on the "Notification" and "Notification unlock" options. Then set a password.

 

For Android

The blocking all popular porn sites with a click feature is currently not available on Android. But it supports blocking porn sites by URL/keyword.

1. Install Cisdem AppCrypt on your Android phone.

GET IT ONGoogle Play

2. Set a PIN or pattern the first time you launch it.

set

3. Open the main window. Click Web Block.

4. Enter the URL of the porn website. Tap Add.

Enter the porn-related keyword and tap Add.

block porn websites

Now all popular porn sites you added to the block list will be blocked on your Android phone.

 

Conclusion

Porn blocking DNS helps protect our families from harmful content on the Internet and keep a safe online environment. This article introduced 3 best DNS porn blockers to block porn. Also, there’s a professional porn blocker app that might be helpful for you.

About the authors
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Written by Norah Hayes

Norah Hayes likes to share her tips on how to improve focus and stay motivated at work. She believes it is essential to eliminate all online distractions during work hours.

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Approved by Ethan Long

Ethan Long joined Cisdem in 2015 as a developer and now serves as the editorial advisor for Cisdem AppCrypt. He actively tests and uses Cisdem AppCrypt and other screen-time management tools to ensure AppCrypt meets its promises in real-world scenarios.

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  • Eric

    Really appreciated the straightforward guide on DNS settings for content filtering. Implemented the steps, and it's working effectively. Thanks for the helpful info!

    1 years ago commonReply

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