Social Media Police

[sammyyummy]

Hi.

How do I block access to certain websites (facebook) and chat engines/programs (yahoo messenger and skype) on the internet?

My nephews/nieces and friends often come over and spend countless hours on these sites. I want to block their access while using my wifi internet ; if i block those sites on the computer, they will find another one that will give them access to them.

Im not very tech savvy and need your help.

Thanks.

 

[sammyyummy]

can you block yahoo messenger via url. fqdn or domain names?

 

[medic1]

I believe using parental controls to block those sites with a password may help.....

 

[sammyyummy]

Thanks. That may work but then it should be done on every computer.
Hence, I wanted a more centralized way of preventing access to these websites/chats whenever they come over and use my wifi at home regardless of what device they carry or computer they use and bring.

 

[Telstra]

The only way is you tell them they can't use these sites because ... or banned them from using your wifi

 

[Kahaih]

You may be able to block those sites through your wifi router.

See if this page helps: http://www.wikihow.com/Block-Unwanted-Site-From-Your-Router

You may need to check your owner's manual, or look on line for directions that apply to your specific router.

 

[sammyyummy]

Thanks. I actually did that. But its a tricky with yahoo messenger because it doesnt have a url (?)
How can I block chat?

 

[Kahaih]

You will probably have to change the security settings on your router so that other computers/devices can't get access to your Internet connection.

Take a look here; http://forums.comcast.com/t5/Home-Networking-Router-WiFi/How-to-Secure-a-Wireless-Router/td-p/118586

 

[bankside]

messenger programs often use a particular "port" to communicate with their parent server. It may be possible to change the port settings on the router to block access. Not sure how to go about it though.

That would allow the device to connect, just not to access a messaging server though a port.