Site Filtering and other access control on the router

[DoubleP]

The HUB 4000 has some advanced configuration, but is there a way to get more advance feature, like web site filtering or time-based access control? 

Bell directed me to the McAfee parental control to manage access control... but c'mon... what an dated, archaic, way to innefectively attempt to limit youtube consumtion for kids who have multiple, modern devices... 

Access control should be easily managed directly at the modem. 

Any thoughts?

[ZaneP · Accepted solution]

Hi @DoubleP ,

Bell has delegated access control to the Wi-Fi app. You'll need to download and install it on a mobile device. 

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/bell-wi-fi/id1294709587

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.plumewifi.plume.iguana&hl=en_CA

More on the functions here: https://support.bell.ca/internet/connection-help/what-is-the-bell-wi-fi-app-and-how-do-i-use-it?step...

Cheers,

ZaneP

I don't work for Bell, I'm just a customer

[DoubleP]

Thanks ZaneP, I had looked into it and it is not really cutting it.  The only option is to find a specific device and to cut on/off internet, no filtering.  

thanks again for sharing info.

[ZaneP]

The best option for you could be a 3rd-party router connected to the HH4K, one that has a lot of granularity for access control.

[DoubleP]

Agreed, just a matter of waiting for a good Wifi 6E mesh solution to come out, then yes.  It would have been nice for Bell to enable the setting that already exists on the router but not made accessible, in their tacked-on GUI.

[ZaneP]

I'd like access to the firewall, but it's also not available. I'm sure it's in the firmware settings.

[namsilat]

How do we set this up using PC/Windows computer? If I can access router's interface from any browser, I should be able access those functions within that same interface.

[BellNick]

Hi there @namsilat 
Thank you for your post and welcome to the Community. 
You can access your Modem GUI interface by typing " 192.168.2.1 " into your web-browser where you can access the Access Control feature. For blocking sites you'll need to do this through your anti-virus software.
Hope this helps and if you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Community.

[namsilat]

please tell me exactly where that is, because everyone else says you need an external app for that, and that app is only availble in Android and iOs devices.

[ZaneP]

I use the Bell app for this. 

I've had no luck configuring Access control from the modem's dashboard. When you log in, you see this:

[ZaneP]

An update to my previous post:

Access control was available from the Bell HomeHub 1000, but was no longer available for any newer models.

[namsilat]

Against my better judement I tried the app, no access control, no filters, only option to set schedule to "freeze" internet activies by device, so I tried setting schedule to "indefinite" for a particular device, effectively blocking it, the device continues to have internet activity no problem. When I checked router it says that particular device is "disconnected", so the only thing  the app did was fooling the router. This app is such a joke I questioned myself more than once if it's legit.

[Contributor]

Dear Bell, 
Please restore access control (scheduling) features on Home Hub 3000 (or other) modems and routers. This feature was essential and valuable for implementing parental controls (limits) on use of the internet by a user and by device. Note that the option to Use Bell Wifi controls is NOT sufficient as it does not allow you to manage device access where the device is wired (ethernet connection) to the router.
Please review this decision. Please restore this feature.
It seems with Bell we continue to get less value for money. The removal of this feature is unfortunate.

[Vanadiel]

Looks like they moved those to McAfee: How to set up Parental Controls in McAfee Security from Bell 

[Contributor]

No that is not the same capability.  That requires the controls to be set up on each device individually with a admin password.  Where as the controls resided on the modem/router prior.