Block sites

[mrmiller23]

I've got an old router (N450) and now that the kids are old enough to be online, I need to start blocking sites. However, I cannot get any sites to get blocked.

Steps:

1.  Login via the browser

2.  Select the ADVANCED tab

3.  Go to SECURITY > BLOCK SITES

4.  Settings: 

a.  Keyword blocking: ALWAYS

b.  Block sites containing these keywords or domain names: msn.com, www.msn.com

5.  Apply

Yet when I go to MSN.com on any of my devices in the house (connected to the Wifi/router), the site is not blocked. 

What am I missing?

[mrmiller23 · Accepted solution]

Good to know about the HTTPS issue. In the site(s) I was testing, I was certainly using HTTPS sites - which seems to be commonplace today. Well crud. Thanks for the tip! I'll give this all a shot on a few non-HTTPS sites.

[KevinLiT]

Hello mrmiller23,

I understand that you are having issues blocking sites using your NETGEAR router's site blocking feature. 

The steps you have listed are the correct steps to block a site using the router. 

Please try the following:

1. Ensure that the "Allow trusted IP to visit blocked sites" is not selected.

2. Disconnect the devices connected to the network then reconnect them after 10 seconds. 

(Please note: This site blocking feature does not work with HTTPS websites)

Let me know if this helps. 

Best,

Kevin

Community Team

[michaelkenward]

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@mrmiller23 wrote:

I've got an old router (N450) and now that the kids are old enough to be online, I need to start blocking sites.

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As you suggest, the CG3000Dv2 listed in your footer is seriously old in technology terms, nearly a decade.  While I am sure that @KevinLiT can help you out with this gateway (modem/router), you may find that it lacks some of the parental control features that you will find on more modern devices. And eventually the kids will get old enough to work their way around these basic safety features.

Stick with the CG3000Dv2 for the time being, but be prepared to move to something more capable when the need arises.

[mrmiller23 · Accepted solution]

Good to know about the HTTPS issue. In the site(s) I was testing, I was certainly using HTTPS sites - which seems to be commonplace today. Well crud. Thanks for the tip! I'll give this all a shot on a few non-HTTPS sites.

[mrmiller23]

Yeah. My gut says that upgrading was going to be required sooner rather than later. In general, my WiFi tends to go down semi-frequently - though I'm not sure if that's a result of too many devices using it, the qualtity of Cox's service or perhaps the router itself. I think I'll upgrade here pretty soon... Thanks again.