This posting is a very simple tip that I discovered this weekend. Perhaps many people already know about it, but I didn’t.
Suppose you know someone whose kids spend too much time on the Internet playing, for example, World of Warcraft. The question is, “How can I limit Internet access for particular computers?” Sure, you could simply reason with the kids and command their respect, but how cool is that?
If you use a Linksys wireless broadband router, there’s a way. In the setup area of the router, select the tab called “Access Restrictions.” There you can create a “policy” for denying or allowing Internet access to specific computers based on their MAC address.
The Linksys software enables you to setup policies according to day of the week and time. For example, allowing access all days of the week from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm for your daughter’s computer. You can also block specific sites.
Macintosh owners can get the MAC address by launching “About This Mac” in the Apple menu then clicking on “More Info…” In the “Contents” column, click on “Network” and scroll down to “Ethernet.” PC owners: you’re on your own.
I suppose spouses could use this to restricting blogging, but I digress…
Addendum: Anonymous pointed out an even better solution to World of Warcraft control. Click here to see how you can control access to the program.
MAC addresses can be easily “spoofed”… How easily can that be done, Rolphus ? Any info would appreciated (jay at studiocasagrande period com), since I use this technique primarily for home and work security.
In your “Art of the Start” presentation you told us that you have five computers. Probably it is easier to use the “Connected devices” tab in your Linksys admin interface to find out the MAC addresses of your PCs. Usually there is a list of all devices connected to the router with their names and addresses.
Why to limit the kids from playing the games, it improve his mind for sure, but if you want to limit him/her from playing computer games creat more intersting games or occupation then computer game.
One more thing, why to use the third firm applications, try to read about user policy in windows
I’m wondering if I could use this feature to somehow restrict myself from having internet access during particularly critical hours. Say, when I’m supposed to be cranking on my startup, or working my real job….
I don’t know about windows, but under OSX for instance you can (if you have root privileges) change the MAC address of an interface with the ifconfig command (on the commandline). On most (if not all) other UNIX and unix-like systems this is just as easy.
However, if you don’t allow your kids root or administrator privileges they can’t.
Not cool! Instead of dealing with the problem face to face with your kids (which is really cool), you make them see a faceless message from computer saying that their dad turned access off. Let’s also make them sign a policy and tell them that they could be fired. Frankly speaking, I didn’t expect such corporate attitude especially towards your family from you. Managing people is not the same as managing computers. I thought you should know about that more than other people.
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Andrew,
How many kids do you have?
Guy
I think Andrew’s comment is a little harsh, but there is a valid idea in it.
I think the best scenario is to talk to your teenager and work things out WITH her/him, not against.
But after a few failures – there will be some – the introduction of the concept of restricted Internet time might come in handy.
Also, you have to be consequent and restrict your personnal use also. One good way is to make a family policy so that you spend more time together, say at dinner time…
When I was a kid my parents attempted to limit our access to cable TV.
One day I came home from school and the cable TV wasn’t working (I wasn’t aware I was grounded. The parents forgot to let me know). After futzing with the TV and cable box for 5-10 minutes I found that there was a locking switch on the back of the box that had been pulled out. Dad had jammed a pencil into it.
At this point I realized I was grounded. I felt resentful. They thought I was stupid enough to be stumped by a pencil.
So when I would get home from school I would pull out the pencil.. and when I heard them open the garage door I would jam the pencil back into the lock.
Everyone was happy. Parents thought I was expanding as an individual without cable TV and I got to watch TV.
Kids aren’t stupid and 9 times out of 10, when you’re configuring the router, they already know how to re-configure it.
Guy,
Chrystian Guy was right. My tone was a bit harsh. I was too emotional, but only because I didn’t expect it from you. You inspire me on building effective relationships between people. I have two kids. They are too young to do stuff online. :) The oldest one is two and a half years old. But I always try to talk to her and find ways to make her act the way I want without putting actual physical barriers. And it is hard with kid who doesn’t’ grasp many concepts yet. May be it will get even harder in ten years. But I hope I will not give up on my approach. I try to use same principle at work with adults too. And I think it helps a lot.
Oh for God’s sake….”corporate attitude toward family”? Having a balanced discussion about Internet use with your child? The question is not, as Guy asks, “How many children do you have?” but “How many of you have teenagers?”
Seriously — it’s not easy raising teenagers. It probably never has been. But in this age of broadband access and a PC for almost every family member, parents need all the help we can get.
You are all right, of course, nothing replaces an honest conversation. But that not always the most effective way to make a point with a teen who acts on more impulse than rational thought.
For PC owners who want to get the MAC address of a certain computer:
Go To:
Start
Run
Type in cmd
This will bring you to the command prompt
Type in: ipconfig /all
The MAC address is called “Physical Address”
You can copy this text from the command prompt by right clicking on the line you want to copy (in this case, you want to copy the following letters and numbers after “Physical Address”) and selecting “Mark”. Drag to highlight and press CTRL-C to copy.
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This is why I use a Mac! :-)
Guy
I’ve been using the Linksys router to block certain websites at certain times. I figure that my teenage son doesn’t need to be fooling around on AIM and MySpace after 10 p.m. on weeknights and 11 on weekends.
This will work great until your kids read this blog post :)
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Jaime,
But they’d still need the password for the router. :-)
Guy
I’m not sure why the two (talking to your kids and using an automated control) are mutually exclusive. We’ve used this software for a couple years. We discussed the why with our kids. They understand if not always agree. And with the software we do not have to nag them every evening about their time being finsihed. It brings a lot of peace to the house.
(BTW, unless you have one, you may not realize that teens are not rational beings. You can reason all you want with many of them with no effect…)
Thanks for the great idea’s. I wish there was not so much ranting on the issue. I also hope that my son would be able to defeat anything that I would implement on his computer or the router. This means that he is learning and I tought him well.
WRT local policies in Windows XP, I think it would be very difficult if not impossible to set polices up on a per user basis to limit the time to set periods that a person can spend on the internet.
this actually funny because i have kids and i always teach them to learn to me but they dont, they’re not with me anymore anyways. the ex took them off.
about the linksys, that function usually doesnt work too well. i dont like it. better upgrade to firmware.
got advice for me?
namorim@dcc.co.mz
Good morning.I don’t know if this is the right place but I come from the old school where if in doubt you ask the question,The problem Im having is finding someone that can answer the question. so from this here old man can someone tell me if it is best to turn off the power to the router at night or leave it on when one goes to bed. I have been told that if you leave it on anyone on the out side can use it. The instuctions that came with the router don’t say anything about it. Thank you.
I was just wondering what kind of information is stored on a router. I know that IP address and email..but what specifically, like does it keep a log of internet game chat or instant message chat? Someone told me that it does so now I’m curious lol.
By the way, no body has said yet, if anyone wants to know how to get on to the blocking configuration open the browser and type http://192.168.1.1/
If the router needs a password how would the kids reconfigure except by resetting router and if they do that you know it, busted and punished , case closed.