Turn Key Office has created a step-by-step guide on using your own Internet service provider firewall to block keywords and/or specific websites.

Why Block Websites and Content Using a Firewall?

Although current versions Internet Explorer offer tools for setting parental controls, savvy teens can bypass these tools by using alternate browsers or handheld devices with embedded browsers such as Nintendo DS. Those devices bypass Internet Explorer, making the parental controls ineffective, but, generally, need to still pass traffic through your main Internet router as shown in the basic network diagram below.

By setting your firewall block keywords and specific websites, you help ensure your family does not access harmful and unwanted material, regardless of the computer, Internet browser, or handheld device settings. To do this, your best bet is to login to the firewall/router, which is commonly provided by your internet service provider for free and, generally, DOES contain basic firewall functionality. If you do not have one, you should consider obtaining a firewall as it can help with not only parental control configuration, but intrusion and virus prevention as well. It is well worth the money!

How to Use a Firewall to Block Content

Note this diagram is a general one and may not apply completely to your network. However, the instructions below can still, generally, be followed in order to set up your firewall to block content. If you would like assistance on setting up your firewall, we have certified technicians available to help. 

Instructions:

1. Login to your current firewall/router
   
2. Browse to the firewall/router management console
   • If you don’t know the address, you can find it by
     1. Go to start, type run
     2. Type cmd, press enter
     3. In the black window that appears type: ipconfig /all, press enter
     4. This will display a list of important “ip addresses” for your specific network. Generally, “Default Gateway” is the address for your router. Type the address shown (generally 192.168.xx.1, but not always) and enter that address on your search line for your browser
        
        
3. Your browser should open the management console for your firewall/router. Enter the login and password information for your firewall/router into the management console.
   • For FIOS – the default username is “admin” and default password is either “password” or the serial number of your router, or it may be affixed on a label on the back or bottom of the device.
   • For Comcast/SMC – the default user name is “admin” and the default password is “admin”
   • If these don’t work, another really useful website is www.default-password.info
   • If you have changed your default username and password and forgotten it, you need to reset your router to factory default.
     • Note – you are advised to seek assistance in this case, because a firewall reset will reset EVERYTHING back to default and any network specific information that has been configured previously will be reset, meaning your network may not function properly anymore.
   • As an aside – if you have not changed the default username and password, you are STRONGLY advised to do so and keep the information in a safe place.
     
     
4. Configure the Firewall’s Parental Controls
   • On most firewall/routers, there is a specific tab for parental controls.
   • You may choose to block specific websites, or use keyword blockers.
   • If you choose to use keyword blockers, be advised that this may slow your internet performance slightly as content will be searched before each webpage is loaded. Note that keyword blocking is somewhat limited by an inability for filters to accurately search images that do not contain the keywords you are trying to avoid, but generally is effective.