Want to block all game channels (minecraft, steam, etc) from my router - but want to keep internet access (port 80?)

chewyalf

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Feb 10, 2011
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Ok. My son is grounded from the internet. He now "all of a sudden" has a project due that requires the internet. Surprise surprise. SO.... I want to allow internet access for "research", like Google or whatever. BUT - I don't want him sneaking in games, which I know he will.

Here's what I found:
https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=8571-GLVN-8711
That shows ports for STEAM, his favorite gaming site

Also:
http://bukkit.org/threads/what-port-does-minecraft-multiplayer-use-as-default.33880/
That's for Minecraft.

Here's my router setup:
http://www.BryanKollar.com/setup.jpg

What do I need to put in the PORTS field to ONLY allow internet access for browsing and not gaming?

THANKS!!

P.s. I need to be absolutely sure the answer is correct. If he's grounded, and I think he's locked out and he's not, that's not a good thing :) THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My guess is port 81 through 65535?
 
Solution
443 ie https is very commonly used also.
It depends how advanced your router is if you can put in multiple list or are limted to just one.

You may want to block some of the sites by name also since some games run on port 80. You would for example block steam.com.

Still if he is ambitious he can use vpn and similar to bypass anything you put in. Maybe you would be better off with one of the software packages that load on the PC. Just be sure he knows its on there and you will have logs of everything he does. You don't have to block anything...of course there has to be a real penalty so that he resists violating the rules.

Maybe just put the computer where you can see the screen while he is working.
443 ie https is very commonly used also.
It depends how advanced your router is if you can put in multiple list or are limted to just one.

You may want to block some of the sites by name also since some games run on port 80. You would for example block steam.com.

Still if he is ambitious he can use vpn and similar to bypass anything you put in. Maybe you would be better off with one of the software packages that load on the PC. Just be sure he knows its on there and you will have logs of everything he does. You don't have to block anything...of course there has to be a real penalty so that he resists violating the rules.

Maybe just put the computer where you can see the screen while he is working.
 
Solution
- Give your son a very old laptop, where no games are installed
or
- Create new limited account on his computer, and revoke that account' access to folder where his games are installed, then change password on his original account (and don't forget the Adminsitrator account)