Forum Discussion

nutellabb's avatar
nutellabb
New Contributor II
4 years ago

block specific website addresses

I have a Panoramic Arris tg1682 router/modem rented from Cox, at Cox's strong recommendation.
I want to block access to specific websites as I have children who are now online.
When I log in to the router at 192.168.0.1 and access the router controls I cannot find where on the menu to block websites by addess.
Under "Parental Controls" it says to log into cox.wifi.com which then presents the same menu you get when using the Cox wifi app.
After spending the time to create profiles and add each device to those profiles, I then turned on "Parental Controls" for the children's profiles I wanted to restrict.
There were no more granular controls offered with respect to specific websites.
My child was no longer able to login to their favorite video game.
I want child to be able to play their favorite video game.
I don't want my child to access certain websites.
Every router I have used for 15 years has been able to block websites by name.

How do I block specific websites from my rented Panoramic Arris tg1682 router/modem?

cable modem
parental controls
  • Rlang85's avatar
    Rlang85
    New Contributor
    4 years ago

    nutellabb I have decided to just dig out my own router and install OpenWRT on it, as the Panoramic router is severely lacking in management options. Even for a router running ISP firmware, the Panoramic is showing up to the ball without a suit or shoes.

    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H53WZ20/ref=emc_b_5_t I have one of these in the garage, you can grab one now, and it should be an ok platform for at least the next 2-4 years. What a waste of money on the Panoramic rental.

    • Bruce's avatar
      Bruce
      Honored Contributor III
      4 years ago
      showing up to the ball without a suit or shoes

      All hat, no cattle?

      • Rlang85's avatar
        Rlang85
        New Contributor
        4 years ago

        I missed that saying, haven't been around any Texan's for a long time!

  • Bruce's avatar
    Bruce
    Honored Contributor III
    4 years ago
    rented from Cox, at Cox's strong recommendation

    There's a maxim:  functionality is the enemy of security.  Meaning, the more the options, the less the security.  However, I've never heard complication being an enemy.  You're absolutely security-focused, but a poor design is inhibiting your efforts.

    Don't ignore the values you've realized from the past 15 years.

    • nutellabb's avatar
      nutellabb
      New Contributor II
      4 years ago

      Bruce,

      Thank you for your reply. I am starting to think this is a revenue generating ploy and I should have stuck to my original choice of router. I was distracted with the myriad issues that come with a move into a new house under renovation. I foolishly trusted that Cox trained employees were giving me sound advice.

      At this point, the fees I've paid for the "Cox recommended router" could have paid for a blacklist-functional router in full - one of which gathers dust in the garage.

      Regards,

      NutellaBB

  • nutellabb's avatar
    nutellabb
    New Contributor II
    4 years ago

    I see 7 views and no replies, let me re-phrase: where is the standard "blacklist" or security URL list in the user interface for the Panoramic Arris tg1682 router/modem?

      • nutellabb's avatar
        nutellabb
        New Contributor II
        4 years ago

        Crystal S.,

        I concur with Bruce's reply. I have read the "parents ultimate guide parental controls". The sum of which is "go use a third party software", when what I asked for was the standard URL blacklist available on every router ever. Where is this option on the recommended Cox router?

        I'd like to note that I researched, and purchased, a Cox approved router ready to go when the installation tech arrived. He convinced me with dire tones that I should just let him install the Cox router that comes with a rental fee. I now come to find out that standard router features are hidden or not available (???!!!).

        Again, and more specifically, turning on parental controls through the Cox wifi app or by logging into cox.wifi.com blocks Fortnite and YouTube, which I want to allow. I want to block e.g. Liveleak for my children.

        I understand the converse, which is that I might not/could not know of all the websites to block and so I should allow Cox's Parental Controls to do my parenting for me. So then how do I do the inverse: turn on parental controls, and then "whitelist" Fornite and Youtube and etc....?