Windows 8 guide: How to protect your computer with OpenDNS

OpenDNS helps keep your computer safe by replacing the internet address book used by your Internet Service Provider, ISP, with an alternative that blocks access to known phishing sites. There's no cost for this service, but the paid for premium accounts offer more tools and records.

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From the Start Screen, type network and sharing. Click on Settings on the left and then on Network and Sharing Centre. Click on the Link next to Connection. In this example it is Ethernet because this computer is connected directly to the router but it may be wireless on a home computer. Click on Properties.

Scroll down until you can see the option Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4). Click on it once and then click on Properties.

Select the option 'Use the following DNS server addresses at the bottom' and then enter the following numbers in the boxes beneath: 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220

Click on OK, Close and then close the Network and Sharing Centre window. That's it your computer is now using OpenDNS for finding websites.

If you want to check that it's working, start Internet Explorer and go to OpenDNS.

The OpenDNS service can be made more flexible with registration. The OpenDNS Home service can be used without charge and lets you customise the websites that are blocked and see some statistics about web traffic from your network.

The OpenDNS Home VIP account costs US$20 a year and offers statistics over a longer period of time and premium support.