Restrict
Access Restriction
The Access Restriction menu contains functions that allow you to block:
- Access to the entire Internet.
- Access to portions of the the Internet.
- WiFi access to the network.
Restrictions are done based on rules and a schedule.
Access Restriction only blocks traffic routed outbound to the Internet. It cannot restrict access between (switched) LAN clients. It also cannot block traffic when the device is used as a switch only or as a wireless bridge. For those scenarios, see the HOWTOs entitled: Wireless MAC filtering via script/scheduler and Block devices via script/scheduler.
Rules can be customized to block:
- Only certain sources
- Only certain destinations
- Only certain ports
- Only certain protocols, or applications
- Only certain HTTP activity
- Combinations of the above
Rules can be edited in the Web interface, and through scripts. Please see the HOWTO entitled: Scripting Access Restrictions.
Access Restriction Overview
The table in this section displays all saved rules, both active and inactive.
All rules are listed here. However, adding/editing any rules will forward you to another menu where you can edit the rules.
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Editing Access Restriction Rules
After clicking on the Overview table mentioned above, you will be taken to the Rule Editing page.
Here:
- To delete an existing rule, click on it on the Overview page, then in Rule Editing, click Delete.
- To **Edit **an existing rule, click on it on the Overview page, make the changes and click Save.
- To Add a new rule, click the Add button on the Overview page, configure the changes and click Save.
- On the Rule Editing page, sequential rule numbers will display at the top left (For example: ID: 01)
- These numbers will increment by 1 for each new rule you create.
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Enabled: Checking this enables this rule.
Description: Here, you enter a name for this rule.
Schedule: Here, you configure the schedule settings for this rule.
- All Day - Checking this applies the rule for the entire day (for all days selected in the Day section).
- Enabling this makes the Time options disappear.
- Every Day - Checking this applies the rule every day.
- Enabling this makes the Days options disappear.
- Time - Here, you set the start time and end time when this rule will be applied.
- Days - Here, you set the Days on which this rule will be applied.
Type:
- Normal Access Restriction - Sets the rule to include all options set below the "Disable Wireless" option.
- Disable Wireless - This rule will disable all WiFi interfaces on the router.
Applies To:
- All Computers/Devices - This rule will apply to all network clients.
- The Following... - This rule will apply to only the specified network clients.
- Add clients by entering their MAC or IP address in the MAC/IP Address field, then clicking Add.
- Clients must be added one at a time.
- All Except... - This rule will apply to all network clients except the one specified.
- You can think of this as somewhat similar to a client whitelist.
- Add clients by entering their MAC or IP address in the MAC/IP Address box, then clicking Add.
- Clients must be added one at a time.
Blocked Resources:
- Block All Internet Access - Enabling this blocks all Internet access to the selected network clients.
Port / Application:
More than one rule can be configured, click the Add button to add a rule.
- Protocol - Choose a protocol to block. Choosing a protocol with fixed ports will grey out the port field.
- Port - Select a source port/destination port in the dropdown. Then, enter the port number in the next box.
- This may be greyed out if you choose a fixed protocol in the Protocol field.
- Application - Select which application to block.
- Address - Select source and/or destination IP address, then enter the IP address in the next field.
HTTP Request:
In this field, you enter the text which will have the Access Restriction in this rule applied to it.
For example:
An entry that contains: "^begins-with.domain"
will block access to any domain that start with the text "begins-with".
An entry that contains: ".ends-with.net$"
will block any domain that ends with "net" .
An entry that contains: "^www.exact-domain.net"$
will block any entry that begins with "www.exact-domain" and ends with ".net"
- HTTP Requested Files: **
This function will block download of certain file types, including the following:
- ActiveX - This will block Windows controls (which usually have a .ocx or .cab file ending).
- Flash (swf) - This option will block Flash .swf files.
- Java (class, jar) - This option will block Java (usually class or .jar) files.
Delete: Deletes the Access Restriction rule displayed on the screen.
Save: Saves the current rule displayed on the screen.
Cancel: Cancels the current rule change(s) or creation, and returns you to the Access Restriction Overview page.