Most routers come with website filtering options.

You can use these options to set up a rule that blocks specific websites, guaranteeing that anyone connected to your home Wi-Fi can’t access it.

Benefits:

Blocking websites at the router level ensures the website is inaccessible across all devices, (PCs, smartphones, tablets, or even smart TVs) as long as they’re connected to your router.

Step by Step Walkthrough to Block Websites with Your Router

1. Access your router’s settings

Open a web browser and enter your router’s IP address (it will look something like: “192.168.1.1” or “192.168.0.1”).

You may need to consult your router’s manual for the specific address.

2. Log in

Enter your username and password for the router.

If you haven’t set these, they’re probably set to a default login. Check your router’s manual or the sticker on the back of your router if that’s the case.

3. Head to ‘Parental Controls’ or ‘Website Filtering’

Look for sections like “Parental Controls,” “Access Restrictions,” or “Website Filtering”. The exact name will vary based on the router brand.

4. Add the URL to the block list

There should be an option to block specific websites. Add the URL and any related domains to the list.

5. Save and apply

Confirm your settings and save. You might need to restart the router and/or your computer for the changes to take effect.

And that’s all you need to do to block websites on your router.

Where this method falls short:

The router method has plenty of loopholes that you or your family can use to access inappropriate content.

Because this blocking method relies on connection to WiFi, the second you or your child turns WiFi off (or switches to a different Wifi network) on their device the router’s blocks are ineffective. All they have to do is leave the house or turn off their network connection and switch to data to get around the parental controls.

This method also only blocks the websites you’ve put in. New websites pop up every day and plenty of them will have inappropriate content. It will be impossible to comprehensively block everything that’s harmful when using your router.