Routers
Filtering At The Router
A router distributes internet from your internet service provider (ISP) to all of your devices. It is very logical, then, to filter the internet at this point. Use the products or services below to protect your home by filtering at the router. Note, however, that when a device leaves the home, it will be unprotected. Use a filter on each separate device to protect that device (see this page: Simple Steps to Secure Your Device).
The router supplies internet to other devices, and therefore it filters the devices that it is supplying. This means that any content is filtered before it gets to the connected devices at all.
Router filters typically operate by using custom DNS services which are located in the cloud, and not on the device itself, further removing the threat from the end user.
Router filters tend to be more difficult to setup, because the router doesn’t come with its own screen and needs to be accessed through other devices.
Purpose Built Filtering Producs
What Are Purpose Built Filtering Products?
“Purpose Built Filtering Products” are physical devices that were made intentionally to filter your internet. These often replace or work next to your current router. Because they were built with filtering in mind, they tend to offer a better or simpler solution than third party services. Note, however, that many companies that make purpose built filtering products also offer a third party service that can be used without their device.
Clean Router
Clean Router is a dedicated filtering router that makes a pretty good case for being superior to OpenDNS and other router solutions. You can read why here: Link. It also appears to be pretty simple to set up, and they offer phone support if you would like it. Other unique options include more in-depth filtering (pages are scanned for content) and a physical router button to turn off all internet.
(some features of Clean Router are now Bark)
| Features |
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| Technology |
Clean Router
Clean Router Pro
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| Cost |
$10/Month for “Complete Home Protection” $15/Month for “Premium Home Protection” *Prices checked late 2019 |
*Premium features are features that you only get with a paid subscription.
Gryphon Connect
Gryphon Connect is an technologically advanced filtering router with automatic updating. One of its main focuses is parental control.
| Features |
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| Lacking |
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| Technology |
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| Notes |
Pros
Cons
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| Cost |
$210 for the router $5/Month for Gryphon’s “Homebound” App *Prices checked late 2019 |
Kibosh
Kibosh offers both their own filtering devices and DNS filtering services for other routers.
Kibosh Site: Link
Eero Pro
The Eero Pro (2nd Gen) device is a technologically advanced mesh router that offers some forms of parental control.
| Features |
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| Lacking |
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| Technology |
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| Notes |
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*Premium features are features that you only get with a paid subscription.
Eero: Link
Support: Link
Firewalla
Firewalla is primarily a security firewall, but also offer some parental control options.
| Features |
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| Technology |
Red
Blue
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| Cost |
$109 for Firewalla Red (economical version) $179 for Firewalla Blue (powerful version) |
Firewalla Webpage: Link
NetAngel
NetAngel is no longer a device but a service. What follows refers to the original device.
From the NetAngel website: “NetAngel’s mission is to educate and equip families and individuals with the tools and support needed to avoid and overcome the destructive effects of pornography.”
| Features |
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| Technology |
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| Notes |
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| Cost |
$100 for the router $15/Month *Prices checked late 2019 |
Disney Circle (now Aura, but different)
Disney Circle is now Aura, which is no longer a router-based system. What follows refers to the original Disney Circle.
You can use Disney Circle in two different ways. There is a standalone Circle device that connect to your current router, but also a group of Netgear routers that come with Circle built in. From what we understand, using the Netgear routers with circle built in is the better way to go.
| Features |
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| Technology |
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| Cost |
$129 for the standalone device (plus 1 year subscription) $150-250 for a NetGear router with Circle built in. $10/month for Premium features *Prices checked late 2019 |
Disney Circle: Link
Disney Circle (NetGear): Link (scroll down to see available devices)
Standalone Device Page: Link
Standalone Device on Amazon: Link
Support: Link
eGate Web
Symantec Norton Core
Torch
iBoss
Skydog
Third Party Services
What Do You Mean by "Third Party Services?"
When a company allows you to channel your internet through their servers, we call this a “Third Party Service.” Through your account with that company, you can adjust or filter the internet that comes into your house.
CleanBrowsing
Manufacturer Settings
Does My Current Router Have Parental Controls?
Quite a few routers nowadays have parental controls already on them. For the most part, though, the controls are limited. To use your current router in conjunction with a better filter, look for one of the third party services, listed above.
AT&T U-Verse / 2-Wire
TP-Link
D-Link
D-Link offers videos on setting up parental controls in the support section of their website. In order to get there, enter the model number of your router at the site below and check the videos for one on parental controls (there may be several pages of videos – be sure to check them all).
D-Link Support: Link
D-Link advertises their myDlink app as being able to set up parental controls for the router. Links below:
myDlink App on Google Play: Link
myDlink App on Apple App Store: Link
3rd Party articles on D-Link Parental Controls: Link
Linksys
Linksys routers advertised as having parental controls:
Linksys AC1750
-the Linksys parental controls appear to only control time, and do not appear to have any content filtering.
Linksys EA6900/AC1900
-the Linksys parental controls appear to only control time, and do not appear to have any content filtering.
Linksys Velop
-only allows 10 blacklisted sites3rd Party Instructions: Link
Asus
Netgear
Netgear offers Disney Circle integrated with some of their routers, and also an app for controlling settings on each of their two router lines.
Router Options:
NetGear Nighthawk Series
NetGear Orbi Series
Netgear Parental Controls Page: Link