Wireless Routers

We wanted to share this article about wireless routers.  Routers serve as the “door” to let internet into your house.  The router acts as the door keeper, deciding what can come in or go out for all the devices using internet in the house (even the ones you don’t know about).  We typically recommend the Netgear routers that have Circle built into them like the below link.  They are cost effective and relatively easy to setup with the phone app they provide.  The other great thing is they alert you on your phone whenever a new device is added.  Link to Netgear Router

Below is a link to an article that reviews different wireless routers including the circle router.  https://protectyoungeyes.com/2020-best-wi-fi-routers-including-parental-controls/

Also here is a link to our website page with an introduction to routers.  http://firstnrc.org/?page_id=871

If you have questions or would like help setting up a router, please contact us at modernmediacommittee@gmail.com .

OpenDNS and Router Setup

While the use of OpenDNS as a router-based filter has been mentioned before, a new setup guide has been added to the resources page and may also be found here.

Qustodio Use and Installation Guide

Qustodio is a very good option for filtering both computers and mobile devices.  It provides device filtering, time limits, whitelist/blacklist, and accountability options.  An guide for use and installation of Qustodio has been added to the resources page and may also be found here.

OpenDNS and AT&T U-Verse Routers

If you’ve subscribed to AT&T’s U-verse service, be aware that the router supplied by AT&T cannot be configured with the OpenDNS DNS server addresses. If you still wish to use OpenDNS to filter your home network, purchase a third-party router which will be connected “behind” the AT&T U-verse router. The third-party router is then configured to route all network/Wi-Fi traffic through the U-verse router. Wireless devices need to be configured to connect to the third-party router (not the U-verse router). You should then disable (i.e. turn off) the Wi-Fi services of the U-verse router to eliminate the possibility of anyone accessing an unfiltered internet connection.

More information can be found here.

Depending on the U-verse router being used, this link details the process summarized above.