How to configure Web Filtering (blocking) on TP-Link SafeStream Routers using the new GUI

• Network Topology

In the diagram below, the R&D and some other departments are connected to a layer 2 switch and access the internet via the router. For data security purposes, it is required to prevent specific users from accessing some websites in certain period. For example, the R&D department users cannot visit https://www.facebook.com and https://www.google.com on the Weekend.

• Configuration Scheme

We can configure Web Filtering to block website access of the specific hosts. Both Web Group Filtering and URL Filtering can achieve this. The configuration overview is as follows:

1) Add an IP group for the R&D department.

2) Add a time range for weekend.

3) Configure Web Group Filtering or URL Filtering to block the websites.

• Confiugration Procedure

Follow the steps below to complete the configuration.

Step 1

Choose the menu Preferences > IP Group > IP Address and Click to load the following page. Enter RD_IP_Address in the Name field. Specify the IP address type as IP Address Range, and specify the IP address range as 192.168.0.10-192.168.0.120. Click OK.

Step 2

Choose the menu Preferences > IP Group > IP Group and Click to load the following page. Enter RD_Users in the Group Name field. Select the address name as RD_IP_Address from the drop-down list. Click OK.

Step 3

Choose the menu Preferences > Time Range > Time Range and Click to load the following page. Enter Weekend in the Time Range Name field. Specify time settings as Working Calendar.

Step 4

Click to load the following page. Select the desired time range in the diagram. Click OK.

You can use either Web Group Filtering or URL Filtering to meet the requirement.

• Using Web Group Filtering

Step 5

Choose the menu Behavior Control > Web Filtering > Web Group and Click to load the following page. Enter Web_filtering in the Name field. Enter www.facebook.com;www.google.com in the Member field. Click OK.

Step 6

Choose the menu Behavior Control > Web Filtering > Web Group Filtering to load the following page. In the General section, check Enable Web Filtering. Click Save.

Step 7

In the Web Filtering List section, click to load the following page. Select the IP group as RD_Users. Select the policy as Blacklist. Select the web group as Web_Filtering. Select the effective time as Weekend. Check Enable for status. Click OK.

• Using URL Filtering

Step 5

Choose the menu Behavior Control > Web Filtering > URL Filtering to load the following page. In the General section, check Enable URL Filtering. Click Save.

Step 6

In the URL Filtering List section, click to load the following page. Select the IP group as RD_Users. Select the policy as Deny. Select the mode as URL Path. Enter www.facebook.com;www.google.com in the Filtering Content field. Select the effective time as Weekend. Check Enable for status. Click OK.