Blocking Sites with a Netgear Router

[LJay]

Hello, i have been issued a tasked by my mother, pretty much i need to block certain websites so my sister can't access them. Pretty much i have the Netgear N-150 router and have been able to block sites via keywords. I was wondering if there is a easier way of doing this rather than using the router to restrict her. Is there a program which is better. Say for example i can check to see if she has been trying to view the blocked sites and create a custom page which says why it's been blocked instead of being plain and saying "Netgear has blocked this".


Thanks sorry if this doesn't make sense i rushed this due to being at work

Lewis

[mdench]

K9 Web Protection - Free Internet Filter and Parental Control Software | Free Internet Filtering and Parental Controls Software

install it on the laptop it will work locally so will work and block the websites what ever network she is connected to

from memory allows for custom links to be blocked and also allows you to set up access times so that the internet can be accessed from say 8am to 10pm.

Block web sites in more than 70 categories, including pornography, gambling, drugs, violence/hate/racism, malware/spyware, phishing
Force SafeSearch on all major search engines
Set time restrictions to block web access during designated times
Configure custom lists for "always allow" and "always block"
Override a web page block with password
Trust the enhanced anti-tampering, even children can't break
View easy reports to monitor and control web activity
Real-time categorization of new adult and malicious sites
Best free parental controls software/internet filter available
Compatible with Windows or Mac machines

[DT2]

Have you tried OpenDNS?

[CESIL]

You could also point your router at OpenDNS (it's free!) and that will filter access for any device in your home...

[elsiegee40]

I think the root of this problem is that said sister doesn't only access the internet on a computer. Filtering the internet on the router only moves the problem back a step.

How old is sister @LJay and what is she doing on the internet that worries Mum?

[Admiral208]

MSN Live do a filtering/monitoring solution that I have used in the past.

Family Safety

[LJay]

I think the root of this problem is that said sister doesn't only access the internet on a computer. Filtering the internet on the router only moves the problem back a step.

How old is sister @LJay and what is she doing on the internet that worries Mum?

She is 14, she will be 15 this year. It's not the case that were trying to be strict it's just my mum and her partner don't really want my sister going on (Porn) with her friends which she has been doing (LOL). It's also lesbian porn not that it's important lol.

I will have a look at all the options you guys and have posted and see what i can do. I am at work at the moment so can't try it out till i'm home. I was thinking maybe a proxy sort of and just sticking her and only her on it. But i assume it means me creating a proxy server on a spare box?

Thanks guys

[localzuk]

I think you're going to be pretty limited in what you can do really. Tools like OpenDNS or K9 do provide some security, but what about on her phone?

Setting up a proxy would only work if you can also block all port 80 and 443 traffic from IPs other than the proxy box.

I think this may be more of a 'supervise and punish' problem, rather than a technological problem.

[elsiegee40]

OK, @LJay - CEOP Ambassador hat on here.

The problem you have at that age is that whatever you do, she WILL find a way round it. You can make it harder, but that age-group are well into the realms of proxies, etc and finding ways of bypassing whatever you put in place.

I'm not saying that you shouldn't filter, just that it's unrealistic to expect it to work unless you install a Smoothwall box at home and remove her mobile phone.

I can understand your Mum's concerns and from your point of view there's the malware that so often comes attached to these sites.

There is no substitute for Mum talking with your sister about why filtering has been introduced... maybe after a brotherly chat with sister about 'how to not lose an argument with parents'. My advice to teenagers every time is that yelling and sulking only makes matters worse; if they want to be trusted, they have to show they can be trusted. The second a voice is raised, they've lost the argument - end of.

TBH I'd focus on the malware content as a reason rather than the unsavoury nature of porn. It's less usual with girls, but trying to stop teenagers looking at mucky pictures usually only encourages them further. If it's not the internet, it's mags under the bed.

[Oaktech]

also, can you not get an innapropriate content filter bar put on the phone by the service provider? I appreciate this will only work when she uses mobile data.

[IrritableTech]

This isn't a technical issue. Or at least there isn't a simple technical solution.

Your parents need to talk to her. They need to explain why they feel it is unsuitable, how people involved in this type of content can be abused etc. Ask her why she is interested at looking at this stuff / is their anything in particular she is curious about...

Your parents might consider moving the computer to a shared area of the house which is a really easy non technical quick win, but with mobiles and other hand held devices (hers or a friends) they are fighting a losing battle.

Education and open discussion is key here I think.

[LJay]

Thanks for all your reply's guys. I agree with all of you i beleive this can be solved by talking to her instead. I have kept netgear to block certain keywords and websites just to be on the safe side. Wouldn't mind changing the block.html but for some reason i can't telnet into my netgear n150 router even though debug is enabled.

Thanks

[elsiegee40]

Good luck! Feel free to PM me if you need any further advice.

[LJay]

Thank you will do

[Dos_Box]

The Windows Parental Controls are very good, and if correctly setup give full reporting on not just web access, but applications as well. I did a write up of how good these were last year: EduGeek.net - A (Quick) Guide to Windows Parental Controls