Since hackers are not leaving any stone unturned in stealing critical information from the internet (websites, mobile applications) by infecting them with a virus, data security is becoming the topmost priority in the tech world.
Moreover, hackers have created a slew of fraudulent websites that can steal data as soon as people visit them unknowingly because it can be difficult for ordinary people to distinguish between legitimate and fraudulent websites.
Cloud OpenDNS and Cloudfare are two companies that protect customers from visiting fraudulent websites while protecting developers’ and owners’ sites and networks from viruses.
Key Takeaways
- Cisco OpenDNS and Cloudflare are both DNS (Domain Name System) services.
- OpenDNS provides more advanced security features than Cloudflare.
- Cloudflare offers faster response times than OpenDNS.
Cisco OpenDNS vs Cloudflare
Cisco OpenDNS is known for its simplicity and ease of use, while Cloudflare is known for its advanced security and performance features. OpenDNS is also more affordable than Cloudflare, but Cloudflare offers more comprehensive protection against a wide range of online threats.
Cisco OpenDNS (Domain Name System) is an American corporation brought by Cisco in August 2015.
Along with DNS services, OpenDNS offers phishing protection and content filtering, which protects users from potentially hazardous websites (helps users search for required information on the internet).
Moreover, open DNS also provides security to the cloud.
Cloudflare relies on a secure CDN (content distribution network). It is also an American firm that provides web security. Cloudflare is a secure network between the user on the internet and the website host.
In other words, it acts as a reverse proxy that protects users’ websites from hacking and dangerous websites.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Cisco OpenDNS | Cloudflare |
|---|---|---|
| Came in | Cisco OpenDNS was bought in 2015. | Cloudflare was created in 2009. |
| Created By | Sometimes, it becomes difficult to block highly malicious sites. | Matthew Prince, Lee Holloway, and Michelle Zatlyn developed Cloudflare. |
| Customers | Internet users acquire these services for home internet security. | Website owners buy these services to protect websites and Software as a Service (SaaS). |
| Support | Cisco OpenDNS provides customer care support during business hours. | Cloudflare provides customer care support 24/7 through both online and offline platforms. |
| Problem | Sometimes, it gets hard to convert Canonical Name (CNAME) back into DNS is hard. | Sometimes, it gets hard to convert Canonical Name (CNAME) back into DNS. |
What is Cisco OpenDNS?
Cisco OpenDNS is a domain name service that makes it easier for users to access online resources. We couldn’t access our favourite and essential websites without DNS.
Generally, we surf multiple stuff online by visiting different websites with unique DNS.
We accidentally land on fraud sites while surfing the internet, which are exact clones of the actual network sites in appearance. However, hackers design and develop these sites to steal users’ personal information.
To avoid the problem of accidentally reaching the fraud website, David Ulevitch created OpenDNS and sold it to Cisco company in 2015.
The idea behind open domain name service is to provide security to internet users by blocking suspicious network sites.
The goal is to safeguard users from phishing attacks (hackers send fraud and duplicate text to people to trick them into acquiring their sensitive information).
The simple principle behind OpenDNS is content filtering (blocking the content that is unwanted or suspicious). Millions of people utilize Cisco OpenDNS to safeguard their residential networks, while Cisco Umbrella is used for businesses.
There are around 24 centres of Cisco OpenDNS worldwide. With time, this system has become much wiser in defending against hacker attacks.
What is Cloudflare?
Cloudflare is an American company that provides internet security services created by three professionals in 2009. It was launched in an online newspaper called TechCrunch to make people aware tech-savvies of this technology.
Cloudflare is a reverse proxy between the end-user and the website, improving performance while protecting it from dangerous viruses. In other words, it means protecting web traffic from a suspicious third party.
The web protocols supported by Cloudflare are SPDY (speedy networking protocols), HTTP/2 (hypertext transfer protocol), and QUIC, which are responsible for transferring data to the same network.
When anybody lands on our website, he will directly have access to our data present online. Cloudflare is installed between the domain and the host to prevent direct access.
If a website owner has purchased the Cloudflare service, their traffic (whether suspicious or legitimate) will land on Cloudflare’s server and subsequently on the website without tracking the IP address.
There are different data centres established according to geographical location.
So, the website gets connected to the nearest centre for establishing the Cloudflare services that are free and premium.
One who handles many websites must use this technology to manage the Name problem servers because Cloudflare also takes DNS.
Creating a Cloudflare account to avail of its beneficial services to protect our site is easy and simple. After that user-friendly steps, we can add our site to Cloudflare.
Main Differences Between Cisco OpenDNS and Cloudflare
- The services of Cisco OpenDNS are for people who want security at home’s internet. On the other hand, Cloudflare services can be availed by individuals who own websites and companies.
- American entrepreneur, David Ulevitch, created Cisco OpenDNS. However, Cloudflare was developed by a group of three people ( Mathew Prince (CEO), Lee Holloway, and Michelle Zatlyn (president).
- Cisco OpenDNS took over by Cisco in 2015. However, Cloudflare was created six years before, in 2009.
- The cyber security firm Cisco OpenDNS is less robust when compared with Cloudflare.
- The support of Cisco OpenDNS is available only during business hours. However, Cloudflare firm provides a whole day of customer support.
- https://dspace.networks.imdea.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.12761/640/poster.pdf?sequence=1
- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/23738871.2020.1722191
Last Updated : 13 July, 2023
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Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.
The detailed comparison table embedded in the article really simplifies the understanding of the differences between Cisco OpenDNS and Cloudflare. It’s a practical reference guide for quick comparison.
Absolutely. I particularly appreciate how the table encapsulates all the key parameters of comparison, making it easy to discern which service offers what.
I couldn’t agree more. The structured format of the comparison table ensures that readers can quickly grasp the distinctions between the two services at a glance.
The article offers a well-balanced assessment of Cisco OpenDNS and Cloudflare, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of each service. It’s a commendable effort to present a nuanced perspective.
I couldn’t agree more. The article maintains a balanced tone throughout and doesn’t overtly favor one service over the other, providing readers with an objective viewpoint.
While the article provides valuable insights into the nitty-gritty of Cisco OpenDNS and Cloudflare, it seems to overlook the specific technical underpinnings that drive the security and performance of these services. An exploration of that would have been enriching.
This article magnificently demystifies the technical aspects of Cisco OpenDNS and Cloudflare, making it accessible to a broader readership without compromising on the depth of information presented.
I wish the article would have delved more into the user experience aspect of both Cisco OpenDNS and Cloudflare. It’s an interesting read, but I think it’s lacking in that respect.
I see your point. It would certainly be beneficial to explore the user interface and experience in more depth to provide a well-rounded view of the services.
I respectfully disagree. I think the article covers all the essential aspects of both services comprehensively without making it tedious for readers to engage with.
This article provides a very thorough comparison of Cisco OpenDNS and Cloudflare, highlighting the key differences between the two services. It’s an excellent resource for anyone looking to understand which DNS service is the best fit for their needs.
I couldn’t agree more. The article truly does an exceptional job at covering the intricate details of both services, making it easier for readers to make informed decisions.