I'm looking for a way to automatically restrict access to a certain website during my work hours and then allow access after hours. I have an Asus RT-AX82U router that can block sites at the DNS level and restrict MAC addresses but seems to lack a feature for scheduling access to specific websites. I came across BlockSite, but I heard it might be malware, so I'm cautious. Any recommendations for a reliable solution? I ended up choosing LeechBlock instead of using DNS for this.
4 Answers
You might want to check out NextDNS, as they have scheduled blocking features under parental controls. It could be a simple way to manage site access.
Since you're using your router for blocking, it sounds like you want network-wide restrictions. Unfortunately, your router doesn't seem to support time-based blocking for individual sites unless you install custom firmware like Asuswrt-Merlin. That could give you more control, especially with DNS filtering. But, if that's too complicated, browser extensions can easily handle this on a single device without too much hassle.
I was thinking of going down the DNS path too, but it seemed like too much to set up for all devices. I went with a browser extension instead, which worked out well for me.
How tech-savvy is the person you're trying to block? Sometimes chatting with them directly is more effective than any tech solution. I found that just telling my team about no internet access was easier than getting into complications like blocking software.
They're savvy enough to block sites at the DNS level but not to set up complicated scripts. It's mostly for me to help overcome mental distractions.
There are plenty of browser extensions that can do what you're looking for. If you use Chrome, try BlockSite; it’s pretty straightforward and user-friendly.
I did mention BlockSite earlier, but thanks for the heads-up!
Thanks for the recommendation! I actually found LeechBlock and it looks like it will meet my needs perfectly.