Advanced-Security-Block Sites feature not working after firmware update V1.2.0.76_1.0.1

[dpeng1124]

Product: Nighthawk AC1750 router

I was able to block sites successfully before installing the firmware V1.2.0.76_1.0.1 update.  After doing this firmware update and in trying to block websites using the tab of 'Advanced' and then selecting 'Security' and 'Block Sites', I received a '403-Forbidden' message error.

Has anyone else experienced this? How can this be fixed in order to successfully block a website?

[DarrenM]

You may want to try and clear your browser cookies or try another web browser.

DarrenM

[dpeng1124]

Thanks for your suggestion, I appreciate it!  I'm a beginner using this 'block sites' feature, I'm using it in order to prevent my son from accessing the following messaging website on his school laptop:  https://discord.com/

Other words/sites I've inputted to block are 'www.discord.com' and 'discord.com', these don't result in the '403 forbidden' error message.  Only 'https://discord.com' results in the '403 forbidden' error message.  But now with 'www.discord.com' and 'discord.com' in my 'block sites' list, my son can still access the discord.com messaging website.

Before the firmware update, I had no problems in blocking discord.com, even with inputting 'https://discord.com'.

Any other suggestions or what I need to learn will be much appreciated, thanks!

[m4rc077]

Did anyone get a resolution on this? I have the same behavior after upgrading firmware V1.2.0.76_1.0.1.  See screen shot.  It's very frustrating. I tried clearing cache/cookies/etc.  Even tried on my secondary PC to no avail.

[mgriff01]

I am having the exact same issue and tried in EDGE and Chrome, cleared cookies and cache. No luck. Has anyone had any luck solving.

[DarrenM]

I will look into this issue,

DarrenM

[DarrenM]

Has anyone tried a factory reset to see if this issues is still happening after the reset?

DarrenM

[m4rc077]

I have not try FR was afraid to start all over but I guess I can export settings then reset. I will give it a try this weekend.

Thanks for suggestion.

[mgriff01]

Yes, zero luck

[schumaku]

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@dpeng1124 wrote:

Other words/sites I've inputted to block are 'www.discord.com' and 'discord.com', these don't result in the '403 forbidden' error message.  Only 'https://discord.com' results in the '403 forbidden' error message.  But now with 'www.discord.com' and 'discord.com' in my 'block sites' list, my son can still access the discord.com messaging website.

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There are two points here:

1. The input parsing on the Netgear Genie Web UI is buggy and does return 403 exactly under this condition. Other variants like https://discord.com/ can be (falsely, see below) added. A bug as old as the UI is... 10 or 15 years at least..
2. The Block Sites (by URL or keywords) can't work on https by specification and by design on these routers. 

In my opinion, the feature MUST either be removed, or SHOULD be enhanced so it does work at lest with the (slowly going away) capturing of the DNS queries (as implemented for example on the Netgear business WAC5xx/WAX6xx) for the time being (before secured DNS will become standard). 

Reporting this issue and limitation for years, many community moderators and admins have seen this. none of our feedback has made it to a feature change. Netgear does continue to implement the same ******* on newer router models. And many more innocent Netgear customers will try, fail, and ask the community.  @YeZ this one of many reasons why some Netgear teams don't like to work with me: They simply don't do their jobs - or simply don't understand that the majority of Web sites and mobile App backend communication is done in https - and the simple design from 1995 does no longer match the requirements from the 21st century.

[miss_kitty]

I'm curious as if there's been any solution to this issue.  I'm having the exact same problem after the firmware update.  After entering any keyword and hitting "apply," I receive the "403 forbidden" error.

I have recently performed a factory reset, but the issue persists.

Thank you.

[schumaku]

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@miss_kitty wrote:

I'm curious as if there's been any solution to this issue.

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Unlikely - this keyword filter block does work on http only.

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@miss_kitty wrote:

I'm having the exact same problem after the firmware update.

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The one we talk about here is that it does not work, well, for the obvious https reason - nothing firmware update related.

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@miss_kitty wrote:

After entering any keyword and hitting "apply," I receive the "403 forbidden" error.

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There could be several reasons. Unfortunately you have not told us which exact router model (there are at least three vesions of the model listed), which firmware update, and what keyword you have entered.

But seriously, this is a little bit academic - the feature won't become more workable....

[miss_kitty]

Model R6700v2.  Firmware Version V1.2.0.76_1.0.1

This was never a problem until recently.  I already have some keywords listed that were entered some time ago, but everything I enter now gives the "403 forbidden" error as soon as I apply.

I've tried entering websites and just simple words, but it won't accept anything anymore.

I understand you say it's "unworkable," but it's frustrating since it's only a recent issue with the router.

[miss_kitty]

I also want to add that any changes I try to make to the Block Sites page results in the "403 Forbidden" error.  I can't change it from "Always" to "Per Schedule" or "Never", and I can't even un"allow trusted IP address to visit blocked sites."  Not that I wish to change those settings, but it appears that nothing on that particular page can be changed anymore.  And as I've said before, this is recent, and definitely since the last firmware update.

[schumaku]

Understand - the same error as shown in a screenshot earlier, indeed. Sorry, had lost this context - my bad. This seems to be firmware specific, indeed. @DarrenM more R6700v2 users with the same problem, they can't add keywords .... (leaving alone this works with plain http only).

[GlenW]

Since the most recent firmware update the parental controls don't work with OpenDNS nor are we able to block specific sites using the router portal.
I purchased this router specifically for these options. Please this need to be addressed.

[schumaku]

Two different issues:

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@GlenW wrote:
Since the most recent firmware update the parental controls don't work with OpenDNS

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Wild guess: You configured the OpenDNS IPs on the router, but the DHCP server does issue the ISP-assigned DNS IPs instead?

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@GlenW wrote:
nor are we able to block specific sites using the router portal.

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Keyword blocking can only work on plain http sites - something rare these days.

[michaelkenward]

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@GlenW wrote:
Since the most recent firmware update the parental controls don't work with OpenDNS nor are we able to block specific sites using the router portal.

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Which parental controls?

More than six months ago Netgear announced that it is killing the free Live Parental Controls.

NOTICE: Live Parental Control Service based on Ope... - NETGEAR Communities

Netgear now wants people to sign up for a paid subscription. Unfortunately, the R7450 is one of the recent routers that does not support this service.

Which products support NETGEAR Smart Parental Controls? | Answer | NETGEAR Support

What subscription plans are available for NETGEAR Smart Parental Controls? | Answer | NETGEAR Suppor...

Other devices support Circle:

Which NETGEAR routers support Circle Smart Parental Controls? | Answer | NETGEAR Support

Circle also needs a subscription.

What are the available service plans when using Circle Smart Parental Controls on my NETGEAR router?...