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Data Blackmail via Router Function?
I'm considering purchasing a NetGear AX5400 router, or maybe a similar model, but I have a question. My current router is an ASUS unit that is comparable in technology to the AX5400. My home net...
Exactly. WiFi is a separate decision from the Firewall/router. Everything depends on the area that requires coverage and the number/type of WiFi devices involved.
Things get more complicated when the area is large enough to require some sort of mesh WiFi system.
I've never employed an entirely different PC to act as a firewall.
There are a lot of inexpensive small form factor PCs that will work. ServeTheHome has done extensive reviews (both videos on youtube and written versions on their website). These include both new and older used platforms.
There is a learning curve here, and if you haven't worked with an enterprise-grade firewall before, it will take a while.
Can blocking websites be done at the router/firewall?
Certainly. But one puzzle here is figuring whether a website is safe for children or not. Router vendors use a third-party cloud service because they really don't want to invest the resources needed to create the needed database and keep it up to date.
Opnsense does have some built-in tools for this that only run on premise. But I think some of the tools will share some info with a cloud service, so you'd want to be careful to research the ones you want to use (particularly ones that are not enabled by default).
Note there are almost always parental controls that you can set up on your child's device(s). You normally should be using those as well, particularly for devices that are portable.
Like what StephenB says, most of these lists/filtering out kiddie stuff takes someone to curate it. There are pre-built lists you can use that get updated. You can even subscribe to something like zenarmor on opnsense. There's a ton that can be done with it. Much more than any of the consumer-grade equipment. But unless you're going to be scouring the internet for things to block, you'll need some type of list/monitoring.
And when you get decent with it (i'm not there yet), you can setup different networks on it so say the adults are on your LAN and you're on another with different screening.