NETGEAR is aware of a growing number of phone and online scams. To learn how to stay safe click here.

Forum Discussion

errata's avatar
errata
Aspirant
Jan 21, 2017
Solved

How to block a specific site

I have a R6400 router with V1.0.1.18_1.0.15 firmware.   How to block a specific domain on the whole network? To be precise, I'd like to block Facebook and Messenger completely (both HTTP and HTTPS ...
Security
Software & Apps
Solutions
Troubleshooting
DexterJB's avatar
DexterJB
NETGEAR Moderator
Jan 23, 2017

Hi errata,

 

The Block Sites feature of the router only works on HTTP traffic.

 

Have you tried other filtering levels via the Parental Controls?

 

Regards,

 

Dexter

Community Team

errata's avatar
errata
Aspirant
Jan 23, 2017

Hi DexterJB and thanks for the answer!

 

I tried to play around with filtering levels in Parental Controls but that's not exactly what I need because I would like to block 2 domains only, not the whole group of predefined websites (e.g. "Social Networking").

Also, if I choose "None" in "Parental Controls" my whole Internet gets blocked anyways, no matter of other settings. :)

 

I am surprised that "Block Sites" works only for HTTP traffic. Most of the websites nowadays are forcing HTTP->HTTPS redirecting, so you always end up on HTTPS protocol. Don't tell me that I spent more than $100 for a router that is unable to do a simple blocking of a domain??

  • DexterJB's avatar
    DexterJB
    NETGEAR Moderator
    Jan 23, 2017

    Hi Toan and errata,

     

    This is a product limitation. The link below may help explain it.

     

    http://security.stackexchange.com/questions/48077/is-there-any-solution-for-block-the-https-traffic-using-url-filtering

     

    As for the OpenDNS/Parental Controls feature, please make sure that the DNS values on the router UI are set to 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220. Also, it may take time for the settings to sync with the OpenDNS servers.

     

    Regards,

     

    Dexter

    Community Team

    • errata's avatar
      errata
      Aspirant
      Jan 24, 2017

      Hi DexterJB and thanks again for your answer!

       

      In the meantime, I learned about possibilities of blocking HTTPS traffic and why is it so difficult. I understand now that it is not limitiation of this particular (or any other) router.

       

      However, for the sake of having this clear for future users, I would advice you to clearly state this in user's manual and/or on the router's "Block Sites" page because this seems like a tripping-over stone for lots of users.

       

      Once again thanks for all the help and clarification and wish you a nice day!