IT help, Linksys WRT54GL Router (1 Viewer)

[beer 30]

Aside from taking it out of the box, plugging it in and seeing pretty lights, I know nothing about it. Is there a way a novice can set it up so that there are multiple passwords required to log in? Meaning I would like a password for my wife & I to use and a separate password for my daughter to use. I would also like to be able to change the daughters password fairly easily if possible.

I know the router is older than some of you but it works and I don't scrilla in the budget for the new one I want to get. Any help appreciated, TIA!

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

its been a while since I played with that one but I don't remember that supporting multiple SSIDs (and therefore, multiple passwords).  

So, you can either buy a newer router that will support this, or you can continually change the password on the router (then you and your wife update all your stuff accordingly each time).  

That was one of the more mod'able routers when it was popular so that may be something you can tweak with some new firmware, maybe?  but out of the box I don't think will do what you want.  

 

[beer 30]

its been a while since I played with that one but I don't remember that supporting multiple SSIDs (and therefore, multiple passwords).  

So, you can either buy a newer router that will support this, or you can continually change the password on the router (then you and your wife update all your stuff accordingly each time).  

That was one of the more mod'able routers when it was popular so that may be something you can tweak with some new firmware, maybe?  but out of the box I don't think will do what you want.  

Thanks, did some reading and you are correct. Out of the box no but it is updatable so that it will support multiple SSID's. Just not sure I have the horsepower to pull it off.

When attempting something like that, is there a possibility I FUBAR the whole into not being usable at all?

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Setup a guest Network and have her use it. Pretty sure all routers have a guest functionality.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/514935/allow-network-guest-access-with-single-band-routers/

 

[VA703]

why do you need separate logins?

 

[beer 30]

why do you need separate logins?

Because I want the ability to be a ##### and cut off her wifi access on a whim

 

[Thorpe]

Because I want the ability to be a ##### and cut off her wifi access on a whim

You wouldn't use the password for this.  You'd use "Access Restriction" in the router's admin setting.

 

[3C's]

You wouldn't use the password for this.  You'd use "Access Restriction" in the router's admin setting.

You don't need a separate SSID/login for that. Set up MAC filtering and you could enable/disable her device at will. http://www.technipages.com/block-connections-to-your-linksys-router-by-mac-address

 

[VA703]

"Aside from taking it out of the box, plugging it in and seeing pretty lights, I know nothing about it. "

probably easiest to setup her own router and unplug it when you want to.

im assuming she has multiple wifi devices

 

[Poke_4_Life]

Because I want the ability to be a ##### and cut off her wifi access on a whim

Been down this road in the past.  

Pro tip:  If she has any friends nearby you may want to see if the kid can get the friend's WiFi from their room.  If so, you just have to take the device.  Also, I highly recommend taking the device(s) at bed time every night.  Every night.

 

[heckmanm]

Another complication, at least for us, is that our ISP provides WiFi hotspots around town, some of which are visible from the house.  So I can block access to our home network by device, but not the hotspots.

 

[beer 30]

Thanks guys, appreciate the help

I have a 15 year old that is pushing back on some of the expectations I have for her and her phone. Truth be told I would like nothing more than to take the ####### and smash it with a sledge in front of her but that seems a bit much although I've been close a few times. It is the only device she has that can access the internet since she managed to break her computer. All I'm really wanting to to do is shut off access to the internet at will when she thinks she needs to be an adult and visit inappropriate sites.

 

[VA703]

Another complication, at least for us, is that our ISP provides WiFi hotspots around town, some of which are visible from the house.  So I can block access to our home network by device, but not the hotspots.

xfnity? you still need to know the login to your provider to gain access

 

[VA703]

Thanks guys, appreciate the help

I have a 15 year old that is pushing back on some of the expectations I have for her and her phone. Truth be told I would like nothing more than to take the ####### and smash it with a sledge in front of her but that seems a bit much although I've been close a few times. It is the only device she has that can access the internet since she managed to break her computer. All I'm really wanting to to do is shut off access to the internet at will when she thinks she needs to be an adult and visit inappropriate sites.

you can set firewall restrictions

 

[heckmanm]

xfnity? you still need to know the login to your provider to gain access

True, but letting them have those hotspots on their phones means less data usage when they're out of the house playing Pokemon Go or whatever the latest craze is.

 

[beer 30]

You wouldn't use the password for this.  You'd use "Access Restriction" in the router's admin setting.

you can set firewall restrictions

So I reset the router and have access to the settings. I see the section for Access Restrictions but it looks like everything on the page is setup to restrict access for a computer. I want to shut down her phone, how to do?

 

[heckmanm]

So I reset the router and have access to the settings. I see the section for Access Restrictions but it looks like everything on the page is setup to restrict access for a computer. I want to shut down her phone, how to do?

If you click "Edit list of PCs", you can put the IP or MAC address of her phone in just as easily.  The router doesn't really know what kind of device it is.

I suggest blocking by MAC, since the IP address can change for the same device at different times.

ETA - if you want to block overnight (e.g. school nights), you will need to define 2 policies: 1 for whatever time thru 11:55PM and another from 12:00AM to whenever in the morning.  If you try to do, say 10PM to 6AM it will tell you the end time can't be before the start time because it's stupid that way.

 

[beer 30]

If you click "Edit list of PCs", you can put the IP or MAC address of her phone in just as easily.  The router doesn't really know what kind of device it is.

I suggest blocking by MAC, since the IP address can change for the same device at different times.

ETA - if you want to block overnight (e.g. school nights), you will need to define 2 policies: 1 for whatever time thru 11:55PM and another from 12:00AM to whenever in the morning.  If you try to do, say 10PM to 6AM it will tell you the end time can't be before the start time because it's stupid that way.

Explored this more this weekend. Finally got a hold of her phone and pulled the IP address, entered it and...nothing. Will try the MAC address now.

Only used the IP address because that was easy to find, didn't have a clue (until a minute ago) where I could find the MAC address.

 

[heckmanm]

Explored this more this weekend. Finally got a hold of her phone and pulled the IP address, entered it and...nothing. Will try the MAC address now.

Only used the IP address because that was easy to find, didn't have a clue (until a minute ago) where I could find the MAC address.

Yeah, MAC is much more reliable - it's hardware (or at least firmware) based and won't change for a given device.

 

[Poke_4_Life]

Explored this more this weekend. Finally got a hold of her phone and pulled the IP address, entered it and...nothing. Will try the MAC address now.

Only used the IP address because that was easy to find, didn't have a clue (until a minute ago) where I could find the MAC address.

Just take the device, seriously.  Its so much easier and then you don't have to worry about other neighborhood networks or data plans or whatever.  

 

[Poke_4_Life]

Yeah, MAC is much more reliable - it's hardware (or at least firmware) based and won't change for a given device.

Well this isn't actually completely true...  but we'll assume his teen can't change the MAC, a very, very safe assumption.

 

[heckmanm]

Well this isn't actually completely true...  but we'll assume his teen can't change the MAC, a very, very safe assumption.

Huh. Didn't know that (and I work in IT). I just knew that the IP address could change each time you reconnect, and the MAC won't.

 

[Poke_4_Life]

Huh. Didn't know that (and I work in IT). I just knew that the IP address could change each time you reconnect, and the MAC won't.

Oh it can be spoofed.  Pretty easy for a laptop, not sure but I'd assume a rooted tablet or phone could as well.

 

[beer 30]

Just take the device, seriously.  Its so much easier and then you don't have to worry about other neighborhood networks or data plans or whatever.  

It's a test of wills at this point, like trying to stay ahead of the dopers in bicycling. I noticed this weekend she had https://www.hotspotshield.com/ installed on her phone. I warned her to quit testing me. Shutting down her wifi at will will be the JDAM she isn't expecting. I fully expect me going all "heeeeeres Johnnnnny" on her phone in the driveway with a sledgehammer at some point between now and 2019.

Until then I'm learning a lot and it still has it's fun aspects. Seeing that look of disappointment when she knows that she's been caught is one of the few parenting victories I have left to revel in.

 

[heckmanm]

Or give her an old flip phone.

 

[SWC]

one thing a lot of people will overlook about the ole linksis is that there is about a ninetyfive percent chance it will give you cooties so watch out for that brohan take that to the bank

 

[beer 30]

one thing a lot of people will overlook about the ole linksis is that there is about a ninetyfive percent chance it will give you cooties so watch out for that brohan take that to the bank

 

[VA703]

this should help

http://www.linksys.com/ph/support-article?articleNum=136710

 

[beer 30]

this should help

http://www.linksys.com/ph/support-article?articleNum=136710

Been there

This is pretty much the same thing just a little more user friendly http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/4-ways-to-manage-your-kids-internet-use-with-your-router/

One thing I learned from that was how to prioritize my iPad so all your bandwith belong to me!

 

[VA703]

Been there

This is pretty much the same thing just a little more user friendly http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/4-ways-to-manage-your-kids-internet-use-with-your-router/

One thing I learned from that was how to prioritize my iPad so all your bandwith belong to me!

good strategy.. make the internet so slow they wont even bother!!

want more internet? heres a list of chores

 

[SWC]

if anyone complains about anything just put the cooties on them thats some powerful bad medicine right there brohan take that to the bank bromigosabe

 

[beer 30]

if anyone complains about anything just put the cooties on them thats some powerful bad medicine right there brohan take that to the bank bromigosabe

Just gotta say, huge fan of your work