I need to block wifi to one of my kids from time to time while allowing the wifi to run for everyone else.
I tested by adding my phones mac address as per parental settings in the telstra modem software but it doesn't block anything I still has full access. Screenshot: https://ibb.co/bK9z7x9
Can someone help me with this please? Much appreciated.
Modem = Telstra TG797n V3
Is there a walk thru for that with my modem? I'm a bit confused by what to do. In the wifi settings I have this:
Wi-Fi Channel
MAC Address
9c:97********
Speed
65Mbps
Channel
Region
AU
Current Channel
6
Channel Width
Wi-Fi Network
Enabled
Network Name
Telstra9*****
Security Mode
Network Key
Pass*****
WPS
WPS AP PIN Enabled
WPS AP PIN Code
80*******
WPS Device PIN Code
Set PIN code
Connect using WPS
Start
Not sure if its dynamic but would assume YES because I haven't changed anything to be static.
https://crowdsupport.telstra.com.au/t5/Modems-Hardware/How-d…
Right at the bottom of the page (ignore the picture on the right with the green background - this is only applicable for windows computers).
Cheers mate in the process of doing this, hope it works!
@figarow: Just be aware that while a MAC address is intended as a unique identifier, it's easily spoofed as a workaround. On Android, this is done by the shell command:
ip link set <INTERFACE> address <NEW_ADDRESS>
where <INTERFACE> is the name of the WLAN interface listed after running ip link show. On some devices, this change requires root access.
Even if your kid doesn't have the technical knowledge to do this, another workaround is to simply buy a data SIM or data pack for their existing service.
I am gonna guess it is your 13-16 year old son between ~10pm-2am?
Perception level up!! Yes it is fun with a young teen :)
Just take his phone…?
Have done this in the past, I'm upgrading to a higher level of PC.
block wifi to one of my kids from time to time while allowing the wifi to run for everyone else.
Though in that vein of thought, if OP's modem is reasonably recent, a ghetto solution might just be to set different passwords for the 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz bands, and only allow the kid to use one, and turn that off.
That would allow restrictions on a per user level rather than a per device level.
Assuming they're watching porn… why not just let them? Seems like a fairly typical teenager activity that a lot engage in.
Would probably third the statements to talk to them about it rather than just trying to block them - you're not going to achieve anything with that.
Lol why would you jump to that conclusion? I think it's more a "Kid should be sleeping on school nights" deal.
I was thinking Fortnite rather than porn.
Ahhh yes assumptions everyone has one…
Have you tried talking to them?
Daily… lets keep it tech advice please but thanks :)
Ah. Have you tried Skyping them? /jk…
You're just encouraging him to find a work around and continue his deeds behind your back, and he will, kids aren't stupid, they know how this stuff works, he'll be in changing your modem settings as soon as he works out you've blocked him.
Second the talk to him option.
Cheers for the parenting advice. I know my kid better than you :) He is all good with some wifi blockage I assure you. But if you still don't believe me leave another comment on what I should do next. Everyone has an answer but few have knowledge. If he finds a work around, his phone will go missing for a week or longer :)
OK speaking as a parent of a teenage boy the rules are simple, he has NO devices in his room at all. His PC is in a common area and is turned off at dinner time and stays off. All phones are left on the kitchen bench at the same time and unless one of them rings they don't get touched. He was not allowed ANY social media until he turned 16 and by then he wasn't interested it. All done with the proper explanations of course. You are the parent, it is not your job to cajole and appease, it is your job to guide and to teach and if you have to be tough about it for their own good then so be it. As for internet we run through the OpenDNS family filter and have extra added banned sites plugged directly into the modem. If I thought he abusing the privilege I would simply unplug the router at bedtime and take it into our room with us. Hasn't got to that point yet though.
Need any more advice? :)
Words of wisdom, thank you :) we are on the same page.
You are the parent, it is not your job to cajole and appease, it is your job to guide and to teach and if you have to be tough about it for their own good then so be it.
Even if I think your particular line in the sand is a tad draconian given today's tech climate, I honestly can't agree more with this statement.
I don't know if I would call this ideal parenting - your son's a teenager he's not a cybercriminal. Blocking all social media sounds like a great way to isolate your kid from his peers.
extra added banned sites plugged directly into the modem
Ah the ole uphill battle to stop a 16 year old looking at porn
@rump parliament: "Blocking all social media sounds like a great way to isolate your kid from his peers."
He has email, skype and a phone number. He does NOT need a phone in bed at night and IMO neither does anyone else who isn't a doctor on call. There is a TON of data about the hazards of that which people can look up if they like cos I'm not up for an argument today…..
"Ah the ole uphill battle to stop a 16 year old looking at porn."
I consider it a personal challenge….
@rump parliament: Social media is going to be the downfall of society. People bragging and pretending to have much better lives than they really have. My son isn't on it either.
Can this not been done under Parental Controls! there will be a section in the router to do all this under Parental controls. :)
I tested by adding my phones mac address as per parental settings in the telstra modem software but it doesn't block anything I still has full access. Screenshot: https://ibb.co/bK9z7x9
Ok, That is not good! The parental controls work a treat in my home. Hope you can figure it out.
Cheers mate so you have the same modem software? Did you set up static ip for wifi as per comment above? Hmmmmmm…
never used your particular modem before, but after you have put in the block, did you click on "apply" or "save settings" or something along those lines?
does it require a restart for the changes to take effect?
otherwise, there is nothing a good ol' belt wouldn't fix, but that is probably considered child abuse in this day and age :)
there is nothing a good ol' belt wouldn't fix
Aye. Can attest to its efficacy.
I've got no experience with your modem, but if you've tested it using your phone, is it possible your phone switched to the cellular network (instead of wifi) when it was blocked?
No checked that.. was very careful to make sure it was only using wifi connected to my telstra modem and also done the test twice to confirm.
Sorry, got nothing for you then. It sounds and looks like you've got everything configured correctly.
Good luck!
Under advanced settings look for "assign static-IP"
Set a static IP for the specific MAC address, and block that specific IP.
Not sure about your specific modem but I've successfully set up my various modems so that they only allowed connections from certain 'Mac addresses' (basically devices' IDs) when required.
You should have the option tell the modem to block certain Mac addresses or only connect to certain addresses (I prefer the latter, as it eliminates the chance of your kid buying another device to attempt access).
Log into your modem's config and play around with the menu, sorry I can't help with your specific one but I'm sure most modern modem have the feature.
P/s: Oops, I skimmed read the OP, you've tried that it seems.
Is this for internet access on a computer? I know you said you tested on a phone but maybe you are blocking wifi for computer usage. If so, try some other approach like activtrack which is free and does a great job of parental controls/monitoring.
Android phone for him but I also have laptops that could be blocked at times so thanks for that.
If you can't get the router working, http://www1.k9webprotection.com/. It gets very good reviews on security forums.
Did you make sure the routers time was correct when you tested it ?
Maybe its working of Daylight time and your not or something similar?
No firmware update from Tel$tra for the device that may fix that feature ?
Set the right phone and didnt knock the wifes phone off the network for 15mins ? :)
Under WiFi on your router do you have any specific (not time based) allow/block rules available ?
1) Routers time: Have no idea, been looking but can't find router time.
2) Firmware update: Unsure would be dubious about doing it to be honest.
3) Right phone: Yes made extra sure of that, it was my phone tested.
4) Allow/Block rules: None.
If you can't find the router time, set the blocking start/stop time to 00:00 ~ 23:59 and see if it works. That would help confirm whether there's something wrong with the router time.
A really easy way to manage the kids internet access is to have a second router with different wifi network key for the kids.
When you want to stop them accessing it just turn it off, really handy when you need them to get moving.
Along these lines, is there a way to block social media apps? So a router level block for Facebook, Facebook chat and Instagram? Just these in particular?I'm with Optus and would like to know what figarow does.
If you want more advanced functions, better invest in better routers such as the asus 68u or those that allow custom firmware. Isp stock routers are mostly crap and got severely restricted
Remove the android part under host name. Host name only needs the Mac address alone.
After putting the mac address and refresh it displays the android name.
If you're looking for an easy option to manage both filtering and screen time, consider getting a Circle. https://www.jbhifi.com.au/computers-tablets/networking/circl…
We have this running on any network the (young) kids have access to and it gives us some peace of mind that when they (real life example) search for 'hot chicks' after seeing how baby chicks are raised under a heatlamp, they only see things appropriate to them! Also allows you to remotely dial up or down screen time and other nifty things.
Cheers but not what I'm after and expensive wow!
If you use iPhones you can set up family sharing and screentime to block access between certain times and still allow some apps like music etc. you can add content levels too to restrict access to adult stuff. Working well on our 11 & 14 year olds so far. They can request longer as well so you might give them 15 minutes or an hour longer.
Android and Windows.
Windows has pretty good parental controls as well
If you are able to filter by MAC address it shouldn't matter whether the assigned IP address is dynamic or static.
MAC address are in the format 8B-6B-FD-6B-35-65 or 8B:6B:FD:6B:35:65
I'm not familiar with your modem though I'm assuming you used a rule wizard and selected the device from a list which likely means that it's taking care of all that for you.
Probably worth pointing out that Android will automatically fall back to mobile data if the Wifi connection has no internet access.
It's possible when you tested your phone this is what has happened. Disable mobile data temporarily to check.
Cheers the device being tested has mobile data turned off. I am putting in the mac address properly about to post where I'm up to…
Here is how far I got, hope it helps people, still looking for a better solution….
I have tried going to: Advanced > Time of Day, then adding Mac Address and parameters but it does not work, this is the same as going to Parental Controls in basic view, both simply don't work even with the below setting adjusted as per PLA74's suggestion. (see image near bottom of page) https://crowdsupport.telstra.com.au/t5/Modems-Hardware/How-d…
PLA74's suggestion I got as far as changing DHCP settings located in: Advanced > Local Netowrk to 'New Start 250'. Which in theory should allow all addresses 0-250 allowed to be static. This didn't help.
I then found a setting in: Advanced > Wireless (bottom of page) 'Access Control List', add Mac Address. This blocks the phone! Great! Only problem is I'm looking for an automatic rules solution based on time of day. So now I can manually block the phone from the software but its a pain to do so.
Any ideas?
Edit.. Also tried in parental controls every day of the week and all hours of day to rule out a time/day mis-match.
Was going to suggest checking the time on the router, NTP client may disabled or set to wrong timezone, but guess if you tried a blanket ban that rules that out.
Talk to Telstra and explain this critical function on the router isn't working as intended. They might send you a new and different model for free to try.
Better than wasting your time debugging their old product.
Get a Fingbox well worth the $149.
You can block/ban via a phone app or online.
I bought one ages ago, you can see who is coming and going on the network. who is online etc.
https://au.fingbox.com/
Don't need a static IP. The mac address of the device can be used to do the blocking.
You can try google families to control your kids andorid activities and spy on them https://families.google.com/families.
I think you'll have to assigned the device/MAC address a static IP on your WLAN, and then try to block it. I'd assumed currently the device has a dynamic IP auto-assigned which is already leased out?