Router monitoring software (preferably free)

Shredded_Wheat64

Junior Member
Jan 14, 2019
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First off I used the "search" function but didn't find what I'm looking for. I have internet at my place and my neighbor across the street is on disability and can't afford it (but can pick up my signal). I want to help him out but he has a past history of downloading questionable things....I stay clean but want to find some software that I can monitor what he is doing and kick him off if he is doing something wrong. My router doesn't have much software built into it. Any suggestions for free monitoring software so I can see what sites he is going to? Thanks
 
 

VirtualLarry

No Lifer
Aug 25, 2001
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Given the prevalence of encrypted torrents and "private trackers", really, that's kind of a "hard" problem.

A better method, might be to:
1) restrict bandwidth, such that "downloading" such things would be mostly fruitless, and
2) utilize something like OpenDNS, and block various domain-name categories.

#2 can be further restricted via forcing a DNS transparent proxy on them, but there's now DNS-over-HTTPS and other some-such non-sense (well, let's just say, it's existence is a highly-contested topic among networking gurus, on the order of the "systemd wars" on Linux. Some believe that the primary reason for mechanisms like DNS-over-HTTPS is primarily to circumvent DNS control via ISPs, whereas other networking admins believe that they should be able to control the DNS of down-stream clients.)

Or, politely, tell them "NO".

If they qualify, there are ISP options for those with limited budgets. (PCsForPeople, Comcast Internet Essentials, etc.) (Edit: Can work out to under $20/mo for internet.)

Edit: That being said, I let a former resident that was a Vet on my hallway in my last apt., "borrow" my internet. He didn't use it for much. I also use to run an "open hotspot". Which I left running while I went on vacation. When I got back, the router was so bogged down by requests, I couldn't even log into it over the local wired LAN. It hadn't gotten hacked, so much, as some of the newer neighbors decided to use it to download torrents, and it was an older N300 router with like 4MB of RAM or something. I didn't torrent myself, so, well, that was the end of that hotspot. I always meant to install a little mini-server and some DNS and content-filtering, but I
never got around to it, because I never found a way to "do it right". I'm probably on "some list" now, for what my neighbors probably downloaded (I have no idea). But trust me, it wasn't me guys, I only torrent freely-licensed Linux ISOs. Because Copyright law. I don't torrent or stream "Hollywood movies", I buy the DVD if I want something on video. (Call me old-fashioned.)

Edit: I've never watched an episode of GoT, either. I could really care less. I just don't watch much TV at all.
 
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Shredded_Wheat64

Junior Member
Jan 14, 2019
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Thanks for the reply! I just told him NO, he was bummed but understood....he drinks heavy at times (prefers alcohol to having internet) and might forget and go back to his old ways.
 

mindless1

Diamond Member
Aug 11, 2001
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Are you trying to be his parent or just don't want to get in trouble for something he downloads? If the latter you can just run a VPN through a capable router. The VPN will cost a single-digit # of dollars a month but not much if bought in a package of half-year to longer at a time.

I would also want to set up a bandwidth restriction or QOS deprioritization of his traffic since yours should get priority.

-OR-

On the other hand if you are currently happy with your present router, you can probably find something (older model router cheap) that can run DD-WRT for $20, set up the VPN on that and devote it to his access over the VPN, but you don't use the VPN, continue usig your present router. If you go that route just make sure the router chosen has a version of DD-WRT (or whatever other 3rd party firmware capable) that supports a VPN. "Most" routers with a modern amount of non-volatile memory can, it's a firmware size-thing.

HE gets the VPN service and deals with the bill on his own. If he lets that lapse, his login will be invalid and it'll stop working without affecting your service. If he pays to start that up again, he'll have service again. It's off you and on him except for your neighborly help running the wifi router for him and however you fund the ~ $20 expense of it and the electricity to power it. Who knows, maybe you'd like to use the VPN too... on his dime. ;)
 
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JackMDS

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 25, 1999
29,545
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LOL :rolleyes:, volunteering info on VPN, Routers, software, and semi con Jobs is the answer????.

It is Not "Fun" to brake the ""TOS"" in order to help One.

Getting him to Rehab. and help to starighen his/her live might be the real solution.


:cool:
 

mindless1

Diamond Member
Aug 11, 2001
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^ That help might include access to basic things like internet.

If I had nothing better to do than watch grass grow, I might be drunk too. Go to rehab, get clean, watch grass grow, start drinking again, time and (whose?) rehab money wasted.

Granted we don't know the whole story but "on disability" suggests to me that he is unemployed and has all day long to do *something*. IMO any time doing anything other than drinking or drugs is helping at least a little, and there are online support forums for substance abusers.
 
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JackMDS

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 25, 1999
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@mindless1. You are absolutely right.

That said, this specific thread came from a concern that the part of the Internet activities are problematic too.

Enable these activates with VPN, or using Spying software is Not part of positive Help/Rehab.


:cool:
 

mindless1

Diamond Member
Aug 11, 2001
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^ Then the question becomes what kind of problem. Is this fellow addicted to pron or pirating things, and even if so, is that more harmful than alcohol abuse? I doubt it. It would seem the greatest problem is the liability of the owner of the internet account, and yet, a monitoring software only tells you where he's already been, if it were even possible with (just) the non-configurable consumer grade routers.

I don't feel the conclusion can be drawn that enabling internet access isn't part of positive help, more the opposite that it's a positive live-enhancing thing to have internet access, which in no way makes it easier to drink, so not really the typical "enabler" type of dependency many associate with substance abusers.

Besides, this was possibly the original intention of the topic, or was it to play parent? This I asked...

The key to substance abuse recovery is for the addict to find something they'd rather do more. Some might say it's substituting one type of addiction for another because that's how their mind is wired, but mental addictions are far less harmful than substance addictions that pose both immediate and long term risks to health and life... the health degradation alone can perpetuate the addiction (sick body sick mind).

Anything (and everything) other than drinking and drugs is helping. Get the addict back to a normal lifestyle one step at a time.
 
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mindless1

Diamond Member
Aug 11, 2001
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^ higher functioning addicts with a lower incidence of organ failure, blackouts, DUI's, waking up in someone's bushes, eating at Waffle House at 3:AM, etc, etc... but most importantly, we have internet access. ;)

Wait. Waffle House may have wifi now.
 
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