OpenDNS

OpenDNS was founded in 2006 to provide DNS services with enhanced security, speed, and reliability. The company initially offered recursive DNS services for home users and expanded into the enterprise market in 2009. In 2012, OpenDNS launched Umbrella, an enterprise security product that uses DNS as a filtering mechanism to protect against phishing websites, malware, and other threats. The company was acquired by Cisco in 2015. OpenDNS operates a global DNS infrastructure using Anycast routing technology to ensure users connect to the nearest datacenter for faster response times. The service maintains large DNS caches that handle tens of billions of daily requests. The platform uses DNS-layer security to block malicious domains before connections are established, preventing phishing attacks, malware infections, and data exfiltration attempts from compromised devices. The company's Security Labs applies data mining techniques to analyze global internet traffic patterns, enabling predictive threat intelligence through their Security Graph technology. This system can identify malicious domains and command-and-control infrastructure. OpenDNS also created PhishTank, a community-powered anti-phishing repository, and introduced DNSCrypt for DNS encryption. Today, OpenDNS-branded products serve consumer markets for home internet security, while the enterprise security offerings operate under the Cisco Umbrella brand. The platform provides Active Directory integration and extends protection to off-network devices including laptops and mobile devices.