Buzz
If you want to prevent certain websites from sparking your curiosity, you don’t need to invest in network management software. Instead, you can configure your router to block unencrypted websites. For encrypted sites, you can use free services like OpenDNS to filter them out.
Steps
Utilize the Blocking Feature of Your Router
Check if the website you want to block is encrypted. Most home routers cannot block access to encrypted sites (https://). You can determine if a site is encrypted by looking for a lock icon to the left of the website address. If the site is encrypted, refer to method 2.
Access your router's configuration page. If the website you want to block is unencrypted, you can typically block it using the built-in tools on your router. To access these tools, open the router's configuration page using a browser on a device connected to your internet network. Common router addresses include:
- Linksys - http://192.168.1.1
- D-Link/Netgear - http://192.168.0.1
- Belkin - http://192.168.2.1
- ASUS - http://192.168.50.1/
- AT&T U-verse - http://192.168.1.254
- Comcast - http://10.0.0.1
Enter your router's login credentials. If you haven't changed these before, use the default admin account details. For many routers, the username and password are often "admin" or left blank. Refer to your router's manual if you're unsure of the default login information.
Locate the "URL Filtering" or "Blocking" section. This section is positioned differently depending on the router model. It might be under the "Firewall" menu or within the "Security" settings.
Add the URLs you want to block. Enter each URL you wish to block on devices using your network. Keep in mind that you cannot block https:// addresses, which significantly limits the effectiveness of this method. For comprehensive protection, refer to method 2.
Save your settings. Click the "Save" or "Apply" button to save your configurations. The router will apply these settings and restart, which may take about a minute.
Verify your settings. After saving your configurations, try accessing the websites you added to the block list. If you can still visit those sites, they are likely encrypted, and you’ll need to use a service like OpenDNS (see the next section).
Use OpenDNS for HTTPS Websites
Sign up for the free version of OpenDNS Home. If you need to block network users from accessing certain websites, you’ll have more success using OpenDNS than relying on router settings. This is because most home routers cannot block https:// sites, and more websites are adopting encryption. OpenDNS can filter these sites for your entire network.
- You can sign up for free at opendns.com/home-internet-security/.
Open your router's configuration page. You’ll need to configure your router to use OpenDNS’s DNS servers, where blocked sites are processed. To do this, access the router’s configuration page via your computer’s browser. Common router addresses include:
- Linksys - http://192.168.1.1
- D-Link/Netgear - http://192.168.0.1
- Belkin - http://192.168.2.1
- ASUS - http://192.168.50.1/
- AT&T U-verse - http://192.168.1.254
- Comcast - http://10.0.0.1
Log in to your router's admin account. Once you access the configuration page, you’ll be prompted to log in. If you haven’t changed the login details, the username is usually "admin," and the password is often "admin" or left blank.
Locate the "WAN" or "Internet" section. These settings are typically found under the "Basic Setup" menu in your router's configuration.
Disable automatic DNS. For many routers, you’ll need to turn off automatic DNS settings before you can manually enter custom DNS servers.
Enter the OpenDNS server addresses. There are two DNS server fields where you’ll need to input the following OpenDNS addresses:
- 208.67.222.222
- 208.67.220.220
Save the changes on your router. Click the Save or Apply button and allow your router to restart with the new DNS settings. This process may take one to two minutes.
Log in to the OpenDNS dashboard. Visit opendns.com and sign in with your new account. You’ll be redirected to the OpenDNS dashboard.
Click on the "Settings" tab and enter your home network's IP address. You can find your home IP address at the top of the dashboard. Enter this address into the "Add a network" field. This allows OpenDNS to recognize traffic from your home network and block sites accordingly.
- Your network will need to be verified via an email sent to your OpenDNS account.
Navigate to the "Web Content Filtering" section under the Settings tab. This section allows you to set content restrictions for your network.
Choose from one of the predefined filtering levels (optional). You can select between Low, Medium, and High security levels. This is useful for blocking a wide range of content, and OpenDNS regularly updates these lists.
Add specific websites you want to block to the "Manage individual domains" list. Ensure each site is set to "Always block."
Flush the DNS cache. For the new settings to take effect, you need to clear your DNS cache. Over time, this process will automatically occur on all devices in your network. However, if you need to block sites immediately, follow these steps:
- Windows – Press ⊞ Win+R and type ipconfig /flushdns to refresh your DNS. You can now test your filtering settings.
- Mac – From the Utilities folder, open Terminal. Type dscacheutil -flushcache to clear the DNS cache, then sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder to restart the DNS service. You may be prompted to enter your admin password.
Test your settings. Attempt to access a newly blocked website from a device connected to your network. If configured correctly, you’ll be redirected to OpenDNS’s blocked site notification page.
