Use host file to bypass OpenDNS

[stab244]

So long story short, my dad decided to use OpenDNS to block gaming related sites and URLs. I have found that he also set it to not let me use Google's public DNS to bypass it. Every time I try to use it, I get connection timeout messages in nslookup. However though, using Windows host file I can manually set IPs to each URL that gets accessed (which is how I'm accessing GBAtemp right now). My question is if there is a way to automate this? Is there some sort of master list I can use to modify the hosts file with? And if this is all possible, would it be possible to use a Raspberry Pi to automatically assign those IPs so that I can use that list with all my devices? Thanks.

 

[0x40]

Finding a DNS server that isn't blocked or tunnelling DNS queries through a VPN is probably your best bet.

 

[stab244]

Finding a DNS server that isn't blocked or tunnelling DNS queries through a VPN is probably your best bet.

How would I go about tunneling DNS queries through a VPN?

 

[0x40]

How would I go about tunneling DNS queries through a VPN?

It's all explained in the howto here: https://openvpn.net/index.php/open-source/documentation/howto.html

 

[stab244]

It's all explained in the howto here: https://openvpn.net/index.php/open-source/documentation/howto.html

So this would set up a VPN server on my computer? The howto has a lot of other info that doesn't seem necessary for me. Which sections would I need specifically?

 

[0x40]

So this would set up a VPN server on my computer? The howto has a lot of other info that doesn't seem necessary for me. Which sections would I need specifically?

You would set up a server on a computer that isn't behind the router that's blocking the DNS server, then install the client on all your devices that are behind the router. Just follow the instructions on setting up server/client in the howto.

 

[stab244]

You would set up a server on a computer that isn't behind the router that's blocking the DNS server, then install the client on all your devices that are behind the router. Just follow the instructions on setting up server/client in the howto.

Ah. Too bad I don't have access to any computer that isn't behind the router. I suppose I could set up my Pi, but then I'd have to hide it somehow. Any other possible solutions (besides nuking the router settings)?

 

[0x40]

Ah. Too bad I don't have access to any computer that isn't behind the router. I suppose I could set up my Pi, but then I'd have to hide it somehow. Any other possible solutions (besides nuking the router settings)?

Besides paying for a server, finding a free VPN provider, or finding an alternative DNS server that isn't blocked by the router, not really. You could try to guess the router password, or finding a vulnerability in its firmware, but that's not gonna work unless your father choose a really weak password and hasn't updated the router firmware. If you could access his computer somehow, maybe he has the password saved or reuses it someplace else?

 

[stab244]

Besides paying for a server, finding a free VPN provider, or finding an alternative DNS server that isn't blocked by the router, not really. You could try to guess the router password, or finding a vulnerability in its firmware, but that's not gonna work unless your father choose a really weak password and hasn't updated the router firmware. If you could access his computer somehow, maybe he has the password saved or reuses it someplace else?

He has the default log in for the router, but the OpenDNS settings are behind parental controls which are behind a different log in. Guess I'll look into a VPN. It won't help me with connecting my 3DS or PS4 to play online though. Oh well...

EDIT: I found a solution. Found something called DNSCrypt that basically does what you said to use OpenVPN for. Sets up a service on the local machine that sends DNS requests through a different port and then feeds it back to the machine.

 

[stab244]

Okay that sorta works. It works only on my laptop but when I try to bridge the network connection to my PS4 or Pi2, they still go through OpenDNS. Can't seem to force the ethernet connection to use the DNScrypt service.

EDIT: I lied. I should not have set up a network bridge. Instead I should've set up my Wifi network to share the connection.