Often, it becomes necessary to deny access to popular social networks, such as Vkontakte, Odnoklassniki, Facebook, etc. For example, for company employees, or even at home. There are many ways to do this. You can, for example, block it using special programs, in the antivirus settings, or firewall, or in the same hosts file.
But, there is another interesting way, this is blocking social networks (and any sites) through a router. In this article, I will tell you how to deny access to social networks if devices are connected through a Tp-Link router. In this way, you can block not only social networks, but almost any site. A big plus of this method is that access will be closed on all devices, such as: tablets, smartphones, laptops, and other equipment that has the ability to connect to the Internet through a router.
In Tp-Link routers, there are two ways to block access to sites (or open access only to certain resources). Through "Access Control", or through "Parental Control". We will do it through "access control", since "parental control" is for a slightly different matter.
The instruction is suitable for all Tp-Link routers. The control panel is almost the same for everyone, including such popular models as: TL-WR740ND, TL-WR741N, TL-WR841N, TD-W8968, TL-WR843ND, TL-WR842ND, etc.
Blocking social networks through the Tp-Link router
To block the social networks we need, or just sites, you first need to go to the router's control panel.
Everything is as usual: we connect to the router, open the browser and type the address in the address bar 192.168.1.1, or 192.168.0.1.
A window will open asking for a username and password. By default, in Tp-Link, these are admin and admin. But, if you have already changed the password for accessing the settings of the router, then you need to enter the data you have set. If the default login and password do not work, then you will have to do a factory reset and configure the router again.
Enter your username and password and enter the settings.
Create a list of sites to block
In the control panel, go to the tabAccess Control (Access control) - Target (Goal). We will first create a list of social networks (or regular sites) to which we want to block access, and then we can apply this rule to any devices.
Click the buttonAdd New .. (Add ...).
Opposite the Mode item, selectDomain Name (this means that we will block resources not by IP address, but by domain).
In stepTarget Description you need to provide any description for the rule, in English. We write there something like "blocking vk".
In the fieldsDomain Name we indicate the addresses of the sites to which we want to deny access (we indicate the addresses without http: //).
Great, we have a list of sites ready. You can create several of these rules. Also, they can be edited or deleted.
Add the device for which you want to block access
Go to the tabAccess Control (Access control) - Host (Node) and click on the buttonAdd New .. (Add ...).
If the device connects to this router, it means that an IP address has been assigned to it. And if an IP address is assigned, then you can block by IP. But, best of all, block by MAC address, since the IP is most likely dynamic, and changes with each connection (although you can also fix the static one).
So in the fieldMode (Mode) selectMAC Address (MAC address).
In fieldHost Description (Hostname), you need to provide some meaningful name. For example, "blocking_PC1". The main thing is that you understand which device this rule applies to.
And most importantly, in the fieldMAC Address (MAC address) you need to specify the MAC address of the device to which you want to apply the rule created above, in other words, block social networks and other sites.
Most likely, you will have a question how to find out this MAC address.
If the device is already connected to this router, then it can be viewed on the tabDHCP - DHCP Clients List (DHCP Clients List).
Just copy the MAC address of the desired device and paste it into the field.
Also, the MAC address can be viewed in the device settings (if it is a mobile device).
In Android: Settings - About phone - Status (may differ on different devices, but something like this).
Windows Phone: Settings - Device Information - Information and there look for the MAC address.
It's a little more complicated on a computer, I'll write about this in a separate article.
So, we indicate the address of the computer (or mobile device) we need in the MAC Address field and click on the button Save (Save).
We have created a blocking list, the device is also added. You can of course add multiple devices, edit them, or delete them.
We just have to put it all together.
Turn on blocking sites on the Tp-Link router
We go to the point Access Control (Access control) - Rule (Rule).
We put a tick next to the itemEnable Internet Access Control (Enable Internet Access Control Management).
Below, we leave the itemDenythe packets specified ... (Deny packages not listed ...).
Click on the button Save (Save).
Next, click onAdd New .. (Add ...).
FieldRule Name, you need to specify any name for this rule in it. A clear name is desirable.
In fieldHost select the computer we need, which we have already added.
AT Target select the list of sites to block, which we also added.
Further, we leave everything as it is. There you can also set up a time block if needed.
Push Save.
Everything, the rule has been created. Many similar rules can be created. Edit them, disable and delete them.
All settings will take effect even without rebooting the router. Sites that you blocked on a specific device will no longer be disconnected until you disable or delete the rule in the settings.
One more thing, if you block, say, vk.com, then the mobile version of m.vk.com will also not work.
