Re: DNS resolution or block websites

Azopp · ‎2018-12-02

hi Community!
(Let me know if I choose a wrong location, this is my 1st post.)

I can't find in the router portal, as well as the Netgear website, how can I block certain websites using my PR2000 router?
In my old router I had a special page called "DNS resolution", which I could use as the "hosts" file in my Windows as follows:
"website address" + "IP address". For example:
"www.youtube.com 127.0.0.1"

Is there any way for me with my router for:
a) Either blocking sites?
b) or DNS resolution?

I made a search here and found some articles mentioning "Block Sites" option, but that seems to be for another models, not mine.

And I didn't try the Genie and any other software yet (except the driver), maybe some application would help me?

The firmware is up-to-date.
Thank you in advance!

antinode · ‎2018-12-02

> [...] In my old router [...]

   Which was a ...?

> [...] I had a special page called "DNS resolution", which I could use
> as the "hosts" file in my Windows as follows: [...]

   I can't recall seeing a consumer-grade Netgear router which has that
feature (a user-configurable DNS server). In principle, you could run
your own DNS server, and use that, but it wouldn't be simple. You may
be able to lie to Windows directly to get the same effect (on one
computer), by editing its Windows "hosts" file:

      C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts

   I'd save a copy before fiddling with it. You'll need to be an
Administrator to alter it, and you may need to fight with your
anti-virus program, too. Notepad should do the job (without turning a
plain-text document into some major mess).

Azopp · ‎2018-12-03

Thanks for reply!

> Which was a ...?

In fact, I meant another manufacturer's device, not from Netgear.

> by editing its Windows "hosts" file:

Yes, I know about that, and already editing that file sometimes. But first of all I wanted to block websites from the modem/router side, since I have many devices in household and most of them are not Windows based smartphone/tablets.

I thought the router has related features. But seems to be no.

So the only option is to install own DNS server?

antinode · ‎2018-12-03

> So the only option is to install own DNS server?

I'm always reluctant to say "only", but isn't that what your old
(still-a-mystery) router must have been doing?

If you're aware of the Windows "hosts" file, then perhaps you're
ready for a new adventure with something like a Raspberry Pi as a DNS
server.