Managing teenagers access times to Internet via router?

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1133 posts

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#905650 1-Oct-2013 12:34

This is going to be something that i will need to invest in later in life (Kids are only 6 and 4).

But in my experience with dealing the clients and schools, as soon as you put restrictions in place, the kids will attempt to find a way around things.

Strong passwords on devices, MAC address filtering (although MAC addresses can be spoofed, so be aware of that)

As someone else suggested, how much are you going over with your cap? is the cost of implementing restrictions going to out weight the cost of simply adding 20GB to the plan?

Hammerer

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#905653 1-Oct-2013 12:37

Dodgy1: Hi all. Thanks for taking the time to reply I currently have a Belkin Pre-N wireless router connected to a DSE adsl modem. I guess I should have something that does both jobs. The parental control thing sounds like it's the thing I need. Limiting time by device sounds awfully complicated. We all have our phones laptops computers etc connected to the network. Looks like this is going to be a steep learning curve for me.

Belkin routers have had parental controls for at least a decade. All Belkins allow you to limit time by device and it is easy to do. So you don't need to upgrade the router for that reason. But even if you decide to get another router, try out the feature on the Belkin so you get a better idea of what you actually want.

If you need more help on configuring the router then make sure you provide the router model number which will be something like "F5D7230-4"

networkn

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#905655 1-Oct-2013 12:39

jaymz: This is going to be something that i will need to invest in later in life (Kids are only 6 and 4).

But in my experience with dealing the clients and schools, as soon as you put restrictions in place, the kids will attempt to find a way around things.

Strong passwords on devices, MAC address filtering (although MAC addresses can be spoofed, so be aware of that)

As someone else suggested, how much are you going over with your cap? is the cost of implementing restrictions going to out weight the cost of simply adding 20GB to the plan?

Working in IT I have seen kids circumvent all sorts of systems, honestly we have found it much better to educate kids through the parents and help them understand usage. Same with Teenage boys and porn.

Having said that a mac filter is reasonable effective, but I have had kids get up in the middle of the night with a cd they got from a friend, change the password, setup a new hidden account and use that from that point onward!

jaymz

1133 posts

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#905668 1-Oct-2013 12:50

networkn:

Working in IT I have seen kids circumvent all sorts of systems, honestly we have found it much better to educate kids through the parents and help them understand usage. Same with Teenage boys and porn.

Having said that a mac filter is reasonable effective, but I have had kids get up in the middle of the night with a cd they got from a friend, change the password, setup a new hidden account and use that from that point onward!

I have a plan of attack for my system at home later on down the track. I am very happy with the level of protection the Fortigate firewalls provide.

The antivirus and the web blocking settings have proved to be very effective at some of my client sites where workshop staff tended to browse less than suitable sites during work hours and were constantly getting viruses on their machines.

There is a yearly cost involved to keep these services alive, but worth it in reduced admin/repair costs.

And after working on computers all day, the last thing i want to do when i get home is fix a virus infection on my home network!

This will be the device that i end up getting:
http://www.fortinet.com/products/fortigate/20C.html

Hammerer

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#905671 1-Oct-2013 12:53

Yes, motivation to circumvent restrictions is a key factor to consider.

In a home environment you are at a serious disadvantage because you are trying to add restrictions to an insecure environment. Ultimately, you won't be able to restrict a determined child as long as they can get physical access to the broadband access point and the router.

jaymz

1133 posts

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#905694 1-Oct-2013 13:15

Hammerer: Yes, motivation to circumvent restrictions is a key factor to consider.

In a home environment you are at a serious disadvantage because you are trying to add restrictions to an insecure environment. Ultimately, you won't be able to restrict a determined child as long as they can get physical access to the broadband access point and the router.

I have that issue sorted, the comms rack is under the house, and i have a master filter with the connection inside the comms rack. Under house is locked so pretty much sorted :P but i see your point with other homes, kids can pick up a modem and use their own instead. Hell, even tether to their phones and use data that way (although that will hit them in the pocket a bit more!)

Inphinity

2780 posts

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#905695 1-Oct-2013 13:16

Hammerer:
In a home environment you are at a serious disadvantage because you are trying to add restrictions to an insecure environment. Ultimately, you won't be able to restrict a determined child as long as they can get physical access to the broadband access point and the router.

You can make it difficult enough that the cost and effort involved for them to circumvent is not worth the hassle, though. Then they'll just use their mobile data connection and circumvent the home broadband entirely hah :)

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vexxxboy

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#905700 1-Oct-2013 13:29

the one thing you can guarantee with Children of any age , they may have selective hearing, they may not be able to do most simple jobs without moaning, but when it comes to anything to do with electronics they morph into a mensa candidate and run rings around you.

Common sense is not as common as you think.

NonprayingMantis

6434 posts

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#905722 1-Oct-2013 13:51

get your router, set the wifi password to something difficult, then superglue all the ethernet ports closed.

then when you want your kids to do chores, simply log in to your router and change the wifi password until they do them. :D

lucky015

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#905802 1-Oct-2013 16:26

NonprayingMantis: get your router, set the wifi password to something difficult, then superglue all the ethernet ports closed.

then when you want your kids to do chores, simply log in to your router and change the wifi password until they do them. :D

Then they log in, Change it to what they like and you cant connect.

linw

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#905966 1-Oct-2013 20:17

Gee, I am glad I am old enough not to have encountered these problems!!

But I sent a link to this thread to my son!!

nedkelly

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#906001 1-Oct-2013 21:13

I still say gargoyle will suit your needs and more.

NonprayingMantis

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#906027 1-Oct-2013 22:05

lucky015:
NonprayingMantis: get your router, set the wifi password to something difficult, then superglue all the ethernet ports closed.

then when you want your kids to do chores, simply log in to your router and change the wifi password until they do them. :D

Then they log in, Change it to what they like and you cant connect.

How do they login without the password?

pab

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#906086 2-Oct-2013 00:19

NonprayingMantis:How do they login without the password?

Long press the reset button on the back of the modem/router.

riahon

946 posts

Ultimate Geek

#906098 2-Oct-2013 03:43

I have Belkin modem that has a 'guest' mode. All their devices are connected as guests so if they do not abide by rules regarding internet use, or if there are any other issues I simply log in and turn off guest mode.

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