[Newlug] Looking for a home firewall that enforces time limits for the kids

[Timothy Beach]

DD-WRT or openWRT on a Linksys WRT54GL should be able to do it, but check out the main sites first. The router will run you about $60. If you decide to go with Buffalo, I know there are some new ones that come default with DD-WRT on them (and as an added bonus, a lot of the buffalo equipment I've seen uses Atheros or even Proxim chipsets :) Or you could use 2 different routers, one of which with a key only you/other necessary parties know and switch out the routers when you don't want the kids on. 

There's always good old fashioned punishment too. Take away the iPods/computers/PS3/XBOX/Whatever if they don't listen to you (they can't abuse the privilege if they don't have the privilege).

My $0.02 anyway.
--
Tim Beach
Computer Network and System Administration
Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI 49931
President - Progressive Security Group
A+, Network+
(906)369-2849

----- Original Message -----
From: "Mike Schwartz" <mschw at athenet.net>
To: newlug at newlug.org, newnug at googlegroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, May 11, 2010 10:03:20 AM GMT -06:00 US/Canada Central
Subject: [Newlug] Looking for a home firewall that enforces time limits for the kids




I’m looking for a home firewall/router that will enforce strict limits on the times that children can be on the Internet. 



Some of the home routers I’ve worked, such as my D-link 602, have time limits that can be set, but if my children are connected and playing games, either wired or wireless, the timer does not cut off any active links. The 602 will prevent them from making any new connections during the blackout times, but if they already have browser windows open or are playing games, it will not disconnect those sessions. 



Both children have iPod Touch’s, and we have found them up in the middle of the night still playing games and such. 



I know in most situations, it would be preferable to allow users to complete their downloads and log off of their sessions cleanly. However, in this case I need to make sure the children get terminated at a certain time. (It would be their responsibility to make sure they are signed off of the computer when the deadline hits.) 



I would prefer not to run a PC-based router/firewall. This would require a lot of setup and cable rerunning, due to the fact that my internet connection comes into my family room. Also, I prefer not to have a PC running 24 x 7 just to run a firewall. 



I would consider hacking a router and putting more sophisticated firmware into it. I’m looking into DD-WRT for a Linksys router and into some other firmware hacks for Buffalo and other simple routers. 



All of the kids computers are Windows XP, and I prefer not to install Net Nanny or anything like that on them. Also, the iPod Touch’s, Play Stations and other devices don’t have any Net Nanny capability. 



I would prefer to simply purchase a ready-made router, hopefully not terribly expensive, that would have the internet time limit cutoff capability that I need. 



Thanks! 



Mike Schwartz