Is it possible to block specific wireless devices at specific times of day?
I want to block all network access to my kids wireless devices during a specific time of day, but allow the other devices. Is this possible?
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Do this through your wireless router. It's IP address is probably 192.168.1.1 which is standard for the private side of your network. Put that address in your browser and see what comes up. You can look up the router model online and search for ways to modify it's settings, download the manual, or find the documentation that came with your router when you purchased it. If you connect and log in, then the very first thing you should do is CHANGE the default password so if your kids figure out how to reach the router, they will NOT be able to modify the settings.
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You got the wrong thread. This thread here is about scheduled WLAN access for Netgear routers only.
What you're looking for is discussed here to death:
https://support.opendns.com/entries/21679895-Block-sites-that-are-not-that-are-not-present-in-your-databaseAlso, OpenDNS does not block sites, but domains, no matter if with Netgear LPC or otherwise. (I'm saying this as you posted in the Netgear Live Parental Controls section.)
There is one exception: it is OpenDNS Home VIP which comes with an optional white-list-only mode. This one blocks everything which is not explicitly allowed. But you cannot use it in combination with Netgear LPC but only on its own.
So back to your core question: "is there a way to block all?"
Sure, most easy! Unplug that cable to the internet, or shut down the router or modem. You wouldn't "block all" with an external service where you still would need to be "online", would you? This doesn't make any sense. You either are online or not.
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Thank you for the other thread, it's helpful to understand the deeper workings of the OpenDNS implementation. I do believe this is the right thread, because I do want to unplug the internet (block all sites), but for certain users at certain times of day. Without blocking it for others, and without blocking it at all times for all users. DD-WRT has this function which I used on my old router, but my Netgear modem/router/gateway uses OpenDNS (which I like very much, I'm just looking for more granular control).
I don't want to pull the plug every night and plug it in every morning. That is not a valid solution.
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Yeah, but this is not the concept and also not the feasibility of a service like offered by OpenDNS, but it is a pure local router function (as with DD-WRT) which has the capability to cut off certain connected devices from the internet, generally or scheduled. This function can never ever be taken by an external service like OpenDNS, no matter if with LPC or not. An external service has (fortunately) no control over your internet connectivity, else criminals would certainly use it to sabotage your internet connection.
That said, if your Netgear router model doesn't come with a local function to exempt certain connected devices from internet access at certain times, then this function is simply not there. You may want to return to a router which supports alternative firmware like Tomato or DD-WRT and the likes, or which comes with this function already on board.
"I don't want to pull the plug every night and plug it in every morning."
You don't have to. Simply buy such an old-fashioned switch clock which does the job, either for the router or for certain devices. Sometimes the simplest solutions are the best. ;-) They have been good enough already 50 years ago.
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The switch clock cuts off everyone. Your point is valid about returning to a router that comes with this function. Yet it seems OpenDNS (or at least Netgear) is thinking to control this via the cloud (which is the trend) via their "bypass user", which works with OpenDNS. Your "never" statement above is not totally accurate because of that, but I understand what you meant. If I used the excuse of "criminals" to avoid putting my internet control on the cloud, I would have to also avoid going to the supermarket and instead have my food delivered. Security is always an issue, and besides those same criminals could do that today if they wanted. I'm only safe because I'm obscure, and there's no money in taking down my internet.
Back on track, I don't think OpenDNS should look at specific devices for blocking, but I do think they could make a living on per user controls with more granularity. It's already a market that exists, but OpenDNS has a nice entry point to it and seem to be heading in that direction at least a little, or with the help/cajoling/partnering or whatever you call it with Netgear.
Again, thanks for the discussion... I won't be getting a timer switch, I will continue to ask for features that make sense to me. I voted on the other thread, and will try to find an appropriate one here to vote on that discusses users instead of devices, which is where I think OpenDNS might have more interest.
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OpenDNS already has ways of blocking specific devices or users offering much more granularity and control than is available with the free service. They are available in different versions of their Umbrella service, and they definitely charge for that. I don't seem them ever offering that functionality in their free service. Most of these per user or per device options will require either agent software installed on a device, or specialized virtual server to be running on the network, although that option is usually only viable for businesses with a somewhat complex network infrastructure.
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Matt, do you know anyone who would pay 3K per year for that service? Near as I can tell, that's the cheapest version of Umbrella. Sounds great for Richie Rich, but not for us normal folk. I'm still searching for simple and effective network controls. OpenDNS is the closest I have found to what I want (great product), but it doesn't stop me from wanting more... in fact it makes me want more. And I have some money to spend, just not enterprise amounts. I'm sort of patient, but I'll always be searching...
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"pay 3K per year for that service? Near as I can tell, that's the cheapest version of Umbrella."
I see, you can't tell, because it is Umbrella Prosumer for just $20/user/year, up to 5 users. This is a Hamburger per user per month...
https://www.opendns.com/enterprise-security/packages/ -
I was looking up Prosumer, but no prices were shown, it requires a company name for me to get any information (really?) and I can't find any information on how many devices are supported per user. In short, there is a shortage of information about this option. If anyone could point me to a listing of the features in this option, $80/year is palatable at this point depending on what is provided. If only the information was easy to find.
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To help anyone stumbling onto this thread, the site states three devices per user. Ok, that should work.. Now to figure out whether a client is needed, whether it works on Android, and what this means" except for the ability to provision network-wide coverage". Isn't that what the free versions of OpenDNS do? I have more research to do, and while the site looks beautiful, clearly this prosumer version is not widely touted, as it's not even on the matrix of features and as mentioned, requires a company name (turning off the general consumer). Does anyone know if I can combine Prosumer with my current OpenDNS through Netgear LPC? Does anyone know the answers to my other questions (or a single place to get them?). Thanks
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It appears that clients are needed. I can only find on forum threads that no Android client exists. Network as a whole is not covered, only devices (I could possibly make that work if there were an Android client, but it's still not elegant). Unfortunately this does not work for me, but maybe something else will. The Netgear implementation with OpenDNS is very close to the solution I need (though the Android client (Genie) does not work, and the times are not settable by day). I will keep looking, thanks for the help!
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As a matter of fact I do know people who would pay 3K for a service such as OpenDNS, and while nearly all of them are businesses, not all are enterprise sized. That said very few home users would pay that much.
As Rotblitz said, Prosumer and VIP are two products specifically offered by OpenDNS for the home market, and there are also OpenDNS Partners who have offerings of their own (exactly what they offer, and at what price does vary, since they are independent companies, but it's generally some form of Umbrella or Enterprise).
My own business is still an Enterprise partner, not yet an Umbrella partner, but when I get back from some errands and client visits I'll see if I can pull together some comparisons and links. There are different versions of Umbrella, and not all of them offer the same features. It's basically a tiered product, with each successive tier adding features to what the "lower tiers" have.
In the meantime you could also contact OpenDNS sales directly, lay out what it is what you want to accomplish (as in tasks complete, not necessarily the technology of how to get there), how you think that might be accomplished, and ask them what they have that will fit the bill.
You most definitely do not want to combine LPC with any other OpenDNS offering, whether it's the free home service, or the highest prices Umbrella service. It will lead to problems and conflicts.
Since Chris said that Prosumer does not include network coverage that means you'll need agent software of some sort for every device that is protected, but I'm not sure which OSes are supported that way, especially among the mobile devices.
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Correct 3 devices per user/license. I am going to list out my responses to your questions below:
"Now to figure out whether a client is needed, whether it works on Android, and what this means" except for the ability to provision network-wide"
In the context of my response "network coverage" means that you cannot register your home IP address to apply filtering rules, or view stats reporting on your network. Prosumer offers device protection, meaning you can install lightweight software on your Mac, PC, and/or iOS (we currently do not support Android devices).
"Isn't that what the free versions of OpenDNS do?"
Yes, OpenDNS Home Basic/VIP offers network coverage, however, the Umbrella service offers a more robust reporting system.
"requires a company name (turning off the general consumer)."
Since Prosumer can be sold to businesses as well as individuals, we require a business name. However please feel free to put N/A in that field.
"Does anyone know if I can combine Prosumer with my current OpenDNS through Netgear LPC?"
You can combine both services together, however you will have a split-dashboard which means you will have to manage your LPC device is one section, and your Prosumer account in another.
"If anyone could point me to a listing of the features in this option, $80/year is palatable at this point depending on what is provided. If only the information was easy to find."
Prosumer offers the same features as Umbrella Professional minus the network coverage. All of the features can be found here:
https://www.opendns.com/enterprise-security/packages/
Hope that helps :)
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This is very easy, and therefore many routers support this. But it cannot be supported by an external service like OpenDNS or what else, just by locally operated devices or programs, because "specific devices" are not visible to the public internet. Else your network would be a paradise for hackers...
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The discussion here is exactly what I want to do as well. However, after reading this thread, I'm afraid I more confused. This should be simple, although it doesn't seem to be. I will admit, maybe I am simply not comprehending some of the information. However, there should be a HELP section that has all this information with links provided for users. I am glad to see that I am not the only one that would like to have everything configured this way.
This is what I would to achieve if anyone can point me in the right direction PLEASE
- 5 Users in my household
- Multiple devices per User
Would like to simply block access to 3 USERS from 11PM - 6 AM on all of their devices
I am going to go out on a limb here and hope that someone can help me figure out how to do this. With that being said, I am going to leave my email address here , which I understand is not recommended...however, I am at my wits end trying to come up with a solution to keep my boys off the internet during those times. My email address is pi_007_sha@hotmail.com . Please contact me if you can help me figure out how to do this.
My router is Netgear Model WNDR4300 Firmware Version V1.0.2.78
Thanks in advance for providing any information to help me.
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@shafair9 you can find configuration instructions for setting up bypass users and time based filtering here:
However, I noticed that there does not seem to be any traffic sent to us from your Netgear device. Which leads me to believe there is another issue. I have gone ahead and opened a support ticket on your behalf; if there is any relevant information to this thread I will post it just in case anyone else has the same issue.
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Chris, I have the same wish as shafair9, I want to be able to block internet access to specific devices belonging to my boy who seem to use all their time day and night on their pc iPad or iPhone. It is tiresome for parent to go through the daily discussions to limit use of their many devices. An APP which could do this would to worth a lot, first to make this available will be a millionaire. -
If you are using a Netgear router with LPC then you might have your solution already. Just follow the direction that Chris posted a link to above. Otherwise, if you want to block or control internet traffic (as opposed to DNS traffic) for a network or a specific device, it is something that needs to happen on a local level, generally through the router. It is not something that any DNS based service, including OpenDNS, can do for you since it needs to happen locally.
If you want an app that can do this instead of handling it at the router, I'm sure they already exist, but the problem with any locally installed app is that it's usually fairly easy to bypass or remove them, hence the desirability of doing that kind of filtering at the router level.
Alternatively, you could just take the devices away from your children when you don't want them using them any more and if they won't otherwise follow your rules. Depending on the device there may also be options to limit time spent on them, but I'm not familiar enough with any iOS device to say if they offer that functionality or not. Others that I am familiar with are more than capable of it.
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Hi everyone,
To answer the original question "Is it possible to block specific wireless devices at specific times of day" with OpenDNS, the answer is to use NETGEAR router with Live Parental Control and set up time-based filtering along with bypass accounts to allow access to specific devices. Configuration information as per @cfrosty can be found here: http://kb.netgear.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/25687/~/how-to-configure-live-parental-control-on-my-netgear-router%3F
For information about Umbrella services, please check out our business product page: https://www.opendns.com/enterprise-security/threat-enforcement/
Thanks guys!
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