How to Block Websites Using Linksys

Network administrators may block specific websites using the Linksys router administrative tools.

Linksys routers include a back-end system that allows administrators to monitor and secure their network. One option allows the administrator to block certain websites from being accessed by computers on the network. The administrator can choose to block all computers or specific computers from accessing specified websites.

Things You'll Need

• Linksys router
• Computer
• Ethernet cable

Instructions

1. Plug the computer into the router using the Ethernet cable. The Ethernet cable should be plugged into one of the output Ethernet ports on the rear of the router (typically labeled 1 through 4) and into the Ethernet port on the computer.

2. Open your Web browser and enter "192.168.1.1" into the address bar and press "Enter."

3. Enter "admin" as the password and leave the username field blank. These are the default access settings. Click "OK" to connect to the router. If you have previously changed your user name and password, enter your pre-defined credentials instead of the defaults.

4. Write down the numbers contained in the "Starting IP Address" and "Maximum Number of DHCP Users" fields. The "Maximum Number of DHCP Users" refers to the number of users permitted to be connect to the router at once.

5. Click on the "Access Restrictions" tab at the top of the window.

6. Select an unused "Internet Access Policy," set the status to "Enable," enter a name for your policy and then click "Edit List of PCs."

7. Enter the "Starting IP Address" in the left box beside "IP Range 01:" at the bottom of the window. Add the number contained in the "Maximum Number of DHCP Users" to the "Starting IP Address" and enter the result into the box on the right side. For instance, if your "Starting IP Address" is 100 and your "Maximum Number of DHCP Users" is 10, you would enter "100" in the left box and "110" in the right box. Click "Save Settings" and close the window.

8. Choose "None" from the "Blocked Services" drop-down boxes.

9. Enter the URL of the website that you would like to block in the "Website Blocking by URL Address" field. Alternatively, you can enter a keyword to block in the "Website Blocking by Keyword" field. For instance, you may enter "http://www.examplewebsite.com" in the "Website Blocking by URL Address" field or you may enter "examplewebsite" in the "Website Blocking by Keyword" field. Click "Save Settings" to enable the restrictions and close the page.

Tips & Warnings

• If you prefer to block a specific computer rather than the entire network from accessing a Web page, enter the computer's IP address in the middle field of the "List of PCs" window. Place a "0" in each of the "IP Range" boxes. To obtain a computer's Internet protocol address, access the command prompt on the computer you would like to block by opening the Start Menu and entering "CMD" from the "Run" or "Programs" field. Once in the command prompt, type "ipconfig" to display the IP address.

References

• Becouz: Block Certain Sites Through Linksys Router