Which SW technique would you suggest me to block pornography directly on the network router? Are you aware of any router that has already such SW?
- Can you define "pornography", because, if you cannot then you cannot block it? good luck in not blocking too much or too little. See theguardian.com/technology/2016/sep/09/… – Mawg Dec 7 '17 at 8:33
- @Mawg of course that defining clearly, directly and unambiguously "pornography" is rocket science! Though it should not be hard to a have a comprehensive list of all websites with such content. – João Pimentel Ferreira Dec 7 '17 at 19:16
- My reply was getting long, so I moved it to an answer below – Mawg Dec 8 '17 at 7:51
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The easiest Way to filter out porn (or other content) via the network router is to use a namesever (DNS) with a blacklist.
A free solution is for this openddns family shield.
How to Setup opendns with family filter
You first need to signup for an account here. You will get the FamilyShield OpenDNS server addresses after you signed up.
setup-guide from the opdennds website :
Here are our generalized router configuration:
- Open the preferences for your router.
Often, the preferences are set in your web browser, via a URL with numbers (example: http://192.168.0.1 or http://192.168.1.1). You may need a password.If you set the router password long time ago and cannot remember it now, you can often reset the password to the manufacturer default by pressing a button on the router itself.Or preferences may be set via specific application for your router, which you installed on your computer when you added the router. 2. Find the DNS server settings. Scan for the letters DNS next to a field which allows two or three sets of numbers, each broken into four groups of one to three numbers. It might look like this:
- Put in the FamilyShield OpenDNS server addresses as your DNS server settings and save/apply.
Please write down your current settings before entering the OpenDNS addresses, just in case.208.67.222.123 208.67.220.123
- Test your Settings
Browse to https://welcome.opendns.com/. If you have successfully set your public DNS to the our servers, you will see "Welcome to OpenDNS!".
there are other (paid) options for a DNS with a family filter that can be setup in the same way.
using openwrt
Since you asked for a Softwaresolution: openwrt is a free and open firmware for routers. It will let you control the router like a mini-computer(which a router is). So you can install a firewall/filter there (example guide ).
There is a list of supported devices on the openwrt website. The TP-Link TL-WR841ND is an cheap router that will work for your purpose.
buying special hardware
A lot of routers offer the option of a "family filter" or have one enabled by default, which is what you are looking for. If you search online for "router with family filter" you will find many (overprized) options there. If you look for and easy way, that might be it, though I think setting up opendns is faster and gratis.
If you allready own a rasberrypie, or want to buy one, you can achive the same (or even better) result with the software pi-hole like explained here. you will essentially make the rasberrpie act as your router and get an addblocker as a free bonus to your pornblocker.
blocking on the client
There are many,many pornblockers out there that work on the client. A often recommended solution is k9 webprotection. Again a websearch will turn up many viable alternatives
- I will wait some time to test it, and if not other answers are provided I set your answer as the accepted answer! We should wait! Thank you a lot – João Pimentel Ferreira Dec 2 '17 at 14:16
- btw, I didn't say it had to be free, I'm might pay for some better service! Thanks a lot – João Pimentel Ferreira Dec 2 '17 at 14:18
- 1opendns is good and free. I have also included alternatives for the sake of completeness – Nivatius Dec 2 '17 at 14:55
- 1If you have multiple computers behind it you also need to make sure that no other DNS resolver can be used, because if any computer is set up to use 8.8.8.8 or any other nonfiltering resolver then access will be granted despite your efforts. Which may mean you need to filter out DNS queries. – Patrick MevzekDec 7 '17 at 17:05
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opendns is free and reliable. Adding in family shield blocks everything you are intending to block.
However, I want to share some other options out there to block the content at the router.
Norton ConnectSafe is another option. There are 3 levels of blocking.
- Policy 1: Security) This policy block all sites hosting malware, phishing sites, and scam sites. Those DNS entries are 199.85.126.10 & 199.85.127.10.
- Policy 2: Security + Porn) In addition to blocking unsafe sites, this policy also blocks access to sites that contain sexually explicit material. Those DNS entries are 199.85.126.20 & 199.85.127.20.
- Policy 3: Security + Other) In addition to blocking unsafe sites and porn sites, this policy also blocks access to sites that feature mature content, abortion, alcohol, crime, cults, drugs, gambling, hate, sexual orientation, suicide, tobacco or violence. Those DNS entries are 199.85.126.30 & 199.85.127.30.
