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When using CIRA Canadian Shield, it will not allow access to the site you are trying to visit if it is known to contain malware or phishing. Blocking it before it happens is preferable to first getting malicious code and then having it detected and cleaned by anti-virus software. You can think of it like not getting the flu at all rather than treating it with medicine after you are infected. 

For home networks, the service is accessed by changing the DNS settings (see service home page for guides). While this can seem complicated, the reality is that almost anyone can easily do it. Additionally, one of the cybersecurity benefits of changing DNS settings is that it is very difficult for technology luddites to "break" it after you are done. The solution protects you and means fewer trips, or painful phone calls, trying to help family or friends fix their computer problems.

This free service will be available to all Canadian households to provide malware, phishing and botnet protection, with DNS privacy, for their devices and home networks.

For more information, please visit:

Steps to configure:

  1. The steps to enable this are simple and outlined clearly here: https://www.cira.ca/cybersecurity-services/canadian-shield
  2. The screenshots below are from a Cogeco router, your device interface may look different. For specific instruction to setup your router refer https://www.cira.ca/cybersecurity-services/canadian-shield/configure/home-router 
  3. Login to your home router (ensure you are not connected to the College VPN).
  4. From the Basic Setup tab, select More LAN Settings...
  5. Click to sellect the option for DNS Overide and then enter the IP addresses depending on the level of protection you want. You only setup one of the three layers of protection on the network or device. We recommend Protected for most people.

    Private: DNS resolution service that keeps your DNS data private from third-parties.

    Protected: Includes Private features and adds malware and phishing blocking.

    Family: Includes Protected and Private features and blocks pornographic content.

  6. Click Apply
  7. Logout of your router session.
  8. Reboot your router.
  9. From this link, https://www.cira.ca/cybersecurity-services/canadian-shield scroll until you see the "Test my configuration" button.
  10. If your configuration is successful, you will see a green check next to the level you are protected at.


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