How to set up your home router to block pornography and other harmful content
This guide will help you configure your router to block access to harmful sites.
Changing the DNS servers on your router is an effective and cost effective way to cut out access to harmful content such as pornography. New devices on your network will pick up these settings, meaning all devices and new ones will also be protected.
DNS — what is it?
DNS is like the phone book of the Internet — In a phone book, a name is put to an address; On the Internet, a site’s name (e.g: google.co.nz, safesurfer.co.nz) is put to a IP address (which is like a destination).
Set up your router
1. Log in to your Router. We’ll try and auto-detect your Router’s IP Address for you.
Checking for Router Address(if we didn’t get your Router IP autodetected scroll down to the bottom of this page for some common router locations).
Passwords
Unless you’ve change the password, the username and password combinations will most likely be one of the following.
Username: admin Password: admin
Username: admin Password: password
To get the exact details, use this facility to search for your Router (you can identify your router by clicking the URL above, or visually inspecting the device).
2. Find the DNS server settings.
Now you’re logged in, have a look through the configuration options for DNS settings. Often you will find them under Internet or Advanced settings. If you’re not sure, then google ” how to change DNS for [insert router mode] ” or check our knowledge base.
3. Update DNS servers.
As a precursor, please note down / record the current DNS servers on your Router.
Here’s the only change that you need to make. Find the option “Use the following DNS Server Addresses” or “Static DNS” and enter the following IP addresses
- 104.197.28.121
- 104.155.237.225
Now save your settings and apply changes.
4. You’re Finished.
Great! you’re set up; we hope that wasn’t to difficult. We recommend that you can verify that you’re protected by going to our check page.
Notes
- The custom DNS settings will drop off if the router is reset or the router is replaced!
- Another way to test if DNS is blocking: Do a google search for “test” and check “SafeSearch On” appears right hand of page and can’t be switched off by going to Settings -> Turn Off SafeSearch
- An important note is that the DNS settings which you set on your router unfortunately can be overridden however our Lifeguard device alleviates this. We highly recommend purchasing a Lifeguard device to enforce safety on your network and more.
- Once you set up Safe Surfer DNS it stays activated 24/7. If you no longer require the use of the Safe Surfer DNS, it can be removed by simply undoing the settings