IP Masking software - what should I be looking for?

[CPA]

Background:

For parenting reasons (please keep it at that and not argue about my parenting style), I'm trying to set up a policy through my Dlink modem setup to disable internet access to my son's computer during a part of the day (really night).

When I temporarily did this a few weeks ago, I set up a policy and schedule, located his computer name in the Dlink IP dropdown box and voila, access was set. I later disabled the policy. He knew this happened.

Now, I'm trying to do it again, but this time my son's computer name is not showing in the IP or MAC Address drop down box. I've tried rebooting my computer and my son's. All other connections are identified except my son's.

Now my son's smart enough and knows enough folks online that it wouldn't surprise me if he was proactive and installed something that may counter what I did.

I'm thinking my son has installed some sort of IP or computer masking program such that the modem does not see it.

If that's possible, what programs should I be looking for on his computer? or am I on the wrong track?

 

[seepy83]

Just a guess - He may have set his computer to use a Static IP, and the Dlink only keeps track of devices that it has configured through DHCP. That would probably be the first thing I would check.

 

[SecurityTheatre]

Background:

For parenting reasons (please keep it at that and not argue about my parenting style), I'm trying to set up a policy through my Dlink modem setup to disable internet access to my son's computer during a part of the day (really night).

When I temporarily did this a few weeks ago, I set up a policy and schedule, located his computer name in the Dlink IP dropdown box and voila, access was set. I later disabled the policy. He knew this happened.

Now, I'm trying to do it again, but this time my son's computer name is not showing in the IP or MAC Address drop down box. I've tried rebooting my computer and my son's. All other connections are identified except my son's.

Now my son's smart enough and knows enough folks online that it wouldn't surprise me if he was proactive and installed something that may counter what I did.

I'm thinking my son has installed some sort of IP or computer masking program such that the modem does not see it.

If that's possible, what programs should I be looking for on his computer? or am I on the wrong track?

A time-of-day policy is the least sort of contentious and intrusive type of parental filtering. I think it's a great idea actually, for certain circumstances. (/topic)

You should be able to manually put in the IP address. However, if he changes his IP address, your block would not work. If you find that his computer DOES have a static IP, it's very possible this is because he figured out how to bypass your restriction LAST TIME you set this block (by changing his IP address), and he simply left it in that setting without thinking about it.

It's not easy to disable a single point on the network without shutting down the whole network. That is, unless you restrict his access to the computer to a sufficient point that he can't change his IP.

 

[CubanlB]

Can you setup a policy that allows only listed clients access to the internet? (This would be a whitelist)

That way he can change his IP to whatever he wants, but will still get blocked.

 

[CPA]

We have dynamic IP addresses for all computers, but it's possible he put in a static address for either nefarious reasons of maybe for some program he was using.

that said, Dlink allows you to block (using Access Control) based on IP or Computer name. So, regardless of IP address, if the router sees the computer name, the policy should apply. At least that's how I got it to work correctly the first time, and the way I understand it. Either way, the IP nor computer name is showing up for selection.

 

[lif_andi]

Just something to think about. I use Windows Parental filtering for my daughter. As long as you create a admin account on your sons computer, and give him a limited account, you can control pretty much what you want. Although I only use the time restrictions it has other options. Sorry I can't be of much more help.

 

[xSauronx]

We have dynamic IP addresses for all computers, but it's possible he put in a static address for either nefarious reasons of maybe for some program he was using.

that said, Dlink allows you to block (using Access Control) based on IP or Computer name. So, regardless of IP address, if the router sees the computer name, the policy should apply. At least that's how I got it to work correctly the first time, and the way I understand it. Either way, the IP nor computer name is showing up for selection.

does it offer MAC filtering? he is probably less likely to figure that out.

 

[QuietDad]

Don't know how old this kid is or your parenting style and refuse to judge, but when my kids grew up(They are 25 and 27 now) their computers ere imaged when they first got them, I would back up their "My Documents" folder nightly and they didn't know the adim password, nor did they have admin authority. They were told from day one that if there was any issue, their pc's would be reimaged back to day one and their homework and documents restored. If they wanted something installed that required admin rights, I ould log it on or at night change the admin password for a day to let them play. I never block the internet, but tracked history and reviewed it frequently. They were both warned that failure to behave would be loss of the PC period. Never had a problem...

As long as they have admin access to their machine, there is NOTHING you can do to guarantee they're blocked at night.

 

[CPA]

Don't know how old this kid is or your parenting style and refuse to judge, but when my kids grew up(They are 25 and 27 now) their computers ere imaged when they first got them, I would back up their "My Documents" folder nightly and they didn't know the adim password, nor did they have admin authority. They were told from day one that if there was any issue, their pc's would be reimaged back to day one and their homework and documents restored. If they wanted something installed that required admin rights, I ould log it on or at night change the admin password for a day to let them play. I never block the internet, but tracked history and reviewed it frequently. They were both warned that failure to behave would be loss of the PC period. Never had a problem...

As long as they have admin access to their machine, there is NOTHING you can do to guarantee they're blocked at night.

His computer is in my study, so I can keep an eye on what he's doing. However, sometimes I hit the sack before he does. He knows that he needs to be off by 10pm (he's a teenager)...but he's a teenager. I'm trying to "help" him get off by 10pm, since he doesn't always have the discipline to do so.

Just checked and it's showing up now.