plug in box killing the modem's internet?

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Batman

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#2476879 5-May-2020 12:32

hio77:
might i recommend going with an uncomplicated option of removing the safe surfer and just using netshield basic?

It does the same as your doing.....

Lol I did read up on spark netshield this morning, I'll try that. Do you know what stuff fibre uses? My friend used his mobile phone and controls all his kids devices from his mobile!

Batman

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#2476882 5-May-2020 12:35

cyril7:
Reading the FAQ and the "How it works" it seems to just be a DNS filter, much like a Pi Hole. As to whats breaking your network connections cannot say from afar, but first thing I would do is try a different DNS on broken devices to see if that fixs them, ie 8.8.8.8 just as a test.

Edit, just saw the post above, that too

Cyril

why do devices connected to the box as well as devices connected to the Asus both break?

freitasm

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#2476883 5-May-2020 12:35

I think you need to define the problem you are trying to solve first. Then it will be easier to help.

You came in with "second router kills Internet" and took a bit of questioning to even find out it is not a router and it will probably be doing stuff to your network.

Go back to the start and explain what you want to achieve, types of users, types of devices.

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freitasm

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#2476884 5-May-2020 12:36

Batman: why do devices connected to the box as well as devices connected to the Asus both break?

I already explained why. Likely this device uses ARP hijack to impersonate the router so it can inspect packets and respond to DNS requests for the whole network.

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Batman

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#2476885 5-May-2020 12:41

freitasm:

I think you need to define the problem you are trying to solve first. Then it will be easier to help.

You came in with "second router kills Internet" and took a bit of questioning to even find out it is not a router and it will probably be doing stuff to your network.

Go back to the start and explain what you want to achieve, types of users, types of devices.

I just wanted to know if it is possible what I was experiencing was caused by the box.

I think the answer is yes it's caused by the box, and so I will ditch the box.

As to why I need the box -

Kids have 2 ipads and 2 laptops. We would like to filter their internet so that they don't accidentally click on pron and other objectionable material out there on the internet.

The filter needs to reliably block these things. I understand if they were to google stuff the answers will come out in the google page anyway so there's not much one can do? If Ican block them googling stuff that would be even better.

The other devices will not be filtered - tv, xbox, adult phones, adult laptops, etc.

freitasm

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#2476886 5-May-2020 12:46

To filter individual devices you need something better than a consumer grade router. To block things at network level, the DNS services I've mentioned will do a good job.

Look for other services available on this thread too.

Note that your kids could easily change their devices to use a "unfiltered DNS" such as Google or 1.1.1.1. You need to approach this from two sides: implement the block and explain your kids why it is being done and why they should not try and get around it.

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#2476887 5-May-2020 12:47

Turn on screentime on the iPads with the parental controls? If the laptops are MacOS, then same thing there.

Batman

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#2476890 5-May-2020 12:51

freitasm:

To filter individual devices you need something better than a consumer grade router. To block things at network level, the DNS services I've mentioned will do a good job.

Look for other services available on this thread too.

Note that your kids could easily change their devices to use a "unfiltered DNS" such as Google or 1.1.1.1. You need to approach this from two sides: implement the block and explain your kids why it is being done and why they should not try and get around it.

If i purchased another router, could i plug it into the first router and then apply a DNS filter on the second router only?

And are you saying it is possible to apply DNS filter to individual devices too, by just changing their DNS?

Yes we have educated the kids and they know why and have no objections.

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#2476893 5-May-2020 12:52

RunningMan:

Turn on screentime on the iPads with the parental controls? If the laptops are MacOS, then same thing there.

i didn't know screentime has child filters - will look into that.

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#2477043 5-May-2020 15:05

I use the TP-Link Deco system for mesh Wi-Fi around the house. This has quite a comprehensive family management system built in, where all devices are assigned to a person, and filters, time limits, bed times etc can be set for each person. All controlled by an app on my phone - I can pause internet per user at the touch of a button (I call this the dinner-time call button), and I get a monthly report on which sites have been used mist and which have been blocked, again per user.

Could be an option if you don't mind buying new hardware

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#2477205 5-May-2020 18:16

This is regarding a different product, but seems like it achieves a similar goal to "monitor & control" network clients. As stated earlier, it uses ARP poisoning to basically tell the devices that "I am now the router, listen to me".

Watch the video below to understand how it works, and how it basically takes over from your original router. Warning: it does get a bit techy.

Fingbox Demonstration Video

These devices reign all hell on networks. No wonder it's causing issues!

I wouldn't use one.

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freitasm

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#2477210 5-May-2020 18:30

I actually have the Trend Micro Home Network Security installed at in-laws - it's another ARP hijacking device but it seems to work fine for them.

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Loftus

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#2477730 6-May-2020 12:28

Batman:

If i purchased another router, could i plug it into the first router and then apply a DNS filter on the second router only?

And are you saying it is possible to apply DNS filter to individual devices too, by just changing their DNS?

Yes we have educated the kids and they know why and have no objections.

No need to purchase anything new. You previously stated you are using the Asus RT 3200, which has Parental Controls built-in as part of the AI protection feature.

Actions to take:

remove the SafeSurfer box from your network (donate it to someone else?)
configure the Asus router to enable parental controls for the kids devices
enjoy!

good luck.

Batman

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#2477756 6-May-2020 12:36

Loftus:

Batman:

If i purchased another router, could i plug it into the first router and then apply a DNS filter on the second router only?

And are you saying it is possible to apply DNS filter to individual devices too, by just changing their DNS?

Yes we have educated the kids and they know why and have no objections.

No need to purchase anything new. You previously stated you are using the Asus RT 3200, which has Parental Controls built-in as part of the AI protection feature.

Actions to take:

remove the SafeSurfer box from your network (donate it to someone else?)
configure the Asus router to enable parental controls for the kids devices
enjoy!

good luck.

Thanks. It says it will route my all my data to Trends Micro if i use AI protection controls.

Does anyone know if it will route only selected devices or will it route all my devices even those not selected to be protected?

Loftus

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#2477771 6-May-2020 13:01

Batman:

Thanks. It says it will route my all my data to Trends Micro if i use AI protection controls.

Does anyone know if it will route only selected devices or will it route all my devices even those not selected to be protected?

Are you referring to this bit:

"The advanced filtering integrates Trend Micro’s Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) engine to filter not only by website URL, but also by the internet packets themselves"

My understanding is the "engine" is provided by Trend Micro and runs on the local router. It's not feasible to "route all my data to Trend Micro [cloud]" as this would massive impact latency and saturate the link UL bandwidth. There is likely some meta-data exchanged with Trend Micro (e.g. URLs), so this could be a privacy concern - but likely to be a similar situation with most managed security devices (like the safe surfer).

The parental controls can be enabled for selected devices, so you can easily leave this feature not active for the "grown-up" devices if you so choose ;)

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