Parental Controls on Huawei EG8247H5 – Can’t Block HTTPS Sites

Effective Parental Control on Huawei EG8247H5 Routers: Addressing HTTPS Site Blocking Challenges

In today’s digital landscape, managing internet access is essential for maintaining a safe online environment for children and other users. Routers like the Huawei EG8247H5 offer built-in parental control features, including website filtering. However, users often encounter difficulties when attempting to block HTTPS (secure) websites—this is a common concern that warrants a deeper understanding and potential solutions.

Understanding the Limitations of URL Filtering on Huawei EG8247H5

While the Huawei EG8247H5 router allows users to add specific websites to a blacklist using domain names, it appears that filtering HTTPS sites presents some challenges. Users report success in blocking HTTP websites by simply entering the domain name, but HTTPS sites often remain accessible even after adding variations like https:// or using wildcards such as *.example.com.

Several factors contribute to this limitation:

Encrypted Traffic: HTTPS encrypts data between the browser and the server, making traditional URL filtering less effective, as the router cannot inspect the encrypted content to enforce blocks reliably.
Firmware Capabilities: The default firmware on many consumer routers, including the Huawei EG8247H5, may lack advanced URL filtering capabilities specifically designed to handle HTTPS traffic comprehensively.
Configuration Options: Many routers do not expose detailed URL filtering settings or URL filtering tabs, limiting user control over this aspect.

Potential Workarounds and Recommendations

Despite these limitations, there are strategies to improve website blocking effectiveness:

Use DNS-Based Filtering Services: Implementing DNS filtering services such as OpenDNS or CleanBrowsing can help block access to categories of websites or specific domains at the DNS level, bypassing some of the restrictions imposed by the router’s native filtering.
Enable Parental Controls via App or Software: Certain third-party parental control applications or network management tools can be configured on devices or within a dedicated network segment to monitor and restrict HTTPS traffic more effectively.
Firmware Updates and Alternative Firmware: Check for firmware updates from Huawei that might add enhanced filtering features. Alternatively, consider installing custom firmware like OpenWRT or DD-WRT, which often include advanced filtering and proxy capabilities, enabling more granular control over HTTPS site access.
Configure Network-Level Restrictions: Using enterprise-level firewalls or proxy servers can provide detailed URL filtering, SSL inspection, and content control, but these solutions are typically more complex and suited for advanced users or organizational setups