temporarily unblock domains on a daily basis

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pdxarch

May 25, 2020 05:35

Hello

I would like to temporarily unblock 3 domains related to google chat, hangouts on a daily basis, so my son can do his chat. But he is too distracted by chat during homework. So I put these domains on an always block list. 

On reading various posts, it looks like openDNS is not designed to make block/unblock changes so often. Is there another solution to this, without going to the router all the time? I really like the idea of being able to access openDNS account from anywhere (even when I am not home) and unblock the domains for a few hours. Unfortunately the hours arent fixed. But if I have no choice, I may have to go that route.

If I can do this through another app that interfaces with my openDNS account, that would work too. I would be much obliged if you folks have any suggestions

 

Thanks

Siva

 

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  rotblitz May 25, 2020 11:42 (Edited May 27, 2020 20:20)

  I’m afraid there is no solution with OpenDNS or with an app interfacing with OpenDNS. It could be that certain routers have such a feature or maybe a program or app, independent from OpenDNS.

  See for example
  https://freedom.to/blog/8-website-blockers-for-studying-productivity-focus/

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  hpwhite. June 08, 2020 13:30

  It would be great to have OpenDNS enable the ability to allow black list / white list of domains during certain times of day. Would love to have a domain blacklisted from 9-5 on weekdays (or every day) and then whitelisted outside those hours. Unfortunately apps seem to be device based, and not router based? (I'm still learning here.) With a large family and so many devices these days, we need a router based app. Is OpenDNS looking at what it would take to assist enabling this type of option?

   

  Thanks

  HPWhite

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  rotblitz June 08, 2020 15:35

  This feature has often been requested and always refused by OpenDNS.  Reason are the local caches which do not react on such settings switches but present content as before the settings switch.  And OpenDNS is not an app and not on your router but is a DNS service in the cloud.

  And yes, you are right, the solution must be local, for example on the router, as I said above.  So buy a router which supports such dynamic settings schedules if your current router doesn't support it.  OpenDNS as cloud service cannot do this for you.

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