Since our filter is DNS-based the best way to check if the filter is active is an nslookup command. Here you will find the methods of how to check the filter status on different platforms:

  • Windows

Go to the “Start” menu and search for the “Run” program -> open the program, type cmd and click OK. In the command prompt run the command nslookup -q=txt black.safedns.com or nslookup -q=txt black.safedns.com 127.0.0.1 if you are using the SafeDNS Agent.

Correct results show your external IP-address, SafeDNS agent ID (In case if you are using the agent to filter content), and Policy ID. If you see the results like on the screenshot 01, that means that the filter is active and you can configure policy rules on the dashboard.

Screenshot 01:

If you see the results like on the screenshot 02 that means that the filter is not configured and your machine or router doesn’t have our DNS-servers addresses as primary and secondary DNS. Please check your DNS settings and add your external IP to the dashboard.

Screenshot 02:


 

 

  • Linux

Go to the “Menu” and run the “Terminal” app. Type the command host -t txt black.safedns.com.

Correct results show your external IP-address, SafeDNS agent ID (In case if you are using the agent to filter content), and Policy ID. If you see the results like on the screenshot 03, that means that the filter is active and you can configure policy rules on the dashboard.

Screenshot 03:

If the results show no txt record like on the screenshot 04, that means that the filter is not configured and your machine or router doesn’t have our DNS-servers addresses as primary and secondary DNS. Please check your DNS settings and add your external IP to the dashboard.

Screenshot 04


 

 

  • Mac

Launch Spotlight (with  + SPACE or by clicking on the magnifying glass in your menu) to search for and launch the Terminal app. Type the command host -t txt black.safedns.com.

Correct results show your external IP-address, SafeDNS agent ID (not available for MacOS yet), and Policy ID. If you see the results like on the screenshot 05, that means that the filter is active and you can configure policy rules on the dashboard.

Screenshot 05

If the results show no txt record like on the screenshot 06, that means that the filter is not configured and your machine or router doesn’t have our DNS-servers addresses as primary and secondary DNS. Please check your DNS settings and add your external IP to the dashboard.

Screenshot 06