how to block websites on the Westell 7500 router for entire wireless network?

[jmcguoirk]

Hello,

Not sure about the Westell... but most routers have a parental control/advanced options section where you can delineate web addresses to block.

eg. If you want facebook blocked you could use a boolean like http://*.facebook.* and https://*.facebook.* This will block all of facebook even if the intended user attempts to go through a search engine like google. Otherwise, by only using http://www.facebook.com You will only be blocking the Homepage not the entire site.

Determine what your DNS server is. Typically it's 192.168.XXX.1 Where the XXX are typically either a "1" or a "0". Some routers use a "2" designator. Depending on your OS you can either:

1.) Microsoft - goto CMD and type ipconfig

or

2.) Linux - goto TERMINAL and type ifconfig

Using either of these two commands will render the IP address for the computer as well as the DNS server and gateway.

Lastly, if you block it for the wireless network... it will be blocked for the wired network... unless you use two routers; 1 for wireless and 1 for wired connections.

Good Luck,

[smith6612]

The Parental Controls on the Westell 7500 should be capable of blocking at least a limited list of websites for the entire network, however there are limitations to it, as in the devices must use the modem for DNS Resolution (which is the default). Honestly, I would suggest setting up your PCs and devices to use OpenDNS, and then lock down each PC so that users in your home cannot go into the network settings and change the DNS settings (setting up the PCs under non-admin users would be a way to do this). OpenDNS can block websites for as long as a device points to OpenDNS's servers.

[jmcguoirk]

The easiest and most direct method is to turn off the wireless function within the router.