Securing your connection to the web.
Securing your connection to the web.
So my brother is 21 and spends most of his time playing video games. He has no job and lives with my mom, who asked me to find a way to block him from the internet—she wants a physical lock. She’s looking for software tricks to bypass it. We’ve tried yelling at him, but that doesn’t help. Any ideas on how to get around it?
You can update the admin password on the router and then block his MAC address. This should prevent him from accessing the network, even if an Ethernet cable is used. Just ensure he can't obtain the new password. Many routers also allow you to impose usage limits, letting you set specific time periods for his connection. Additionally, some models offer data usage restrictions, giving you another way to manage his activity.
A friend was facing a similar issue as your brother. His mom set a timer that cut off power to the router, making internet inaccessible. You then placed the router in a locked room where only you had access. Another solution involves securing the router and updating the WiFi password so your brother doesn’t recognize it. Ensure no Ethernet cable connects to the router. Alternatively, consider removing him from the situation by filing paperwork if required and, if permitted, seeking police assistance.
The recommended solution is Eastman51's response. Adjust the router settings to block the MAC address of the device.
Everyone else agreed. Locking the router in a room without an Ethernet cable won’t help because he’ll be too stubborn and might break the door down. He seems like a troublemaker, so it’s probably not worth it. I’d throw a fit just to get internet. I actually prefer locking him out with a password. Some people are just lazy, so maybe you all let him slide and find a middle ground. He starts part-time, which gives him more time, and the longer he works, the better his connection gets. OR, just remind him that “you don’t pay for it, you don’t get to use it.”
He managed to obtain a PC or laptop without a job through alternative means, and he acquired all the games via free sources or community platforms.
He can easily alter his MAC address if blocked, and I've experienced this multiple times. Even a whitelist isn't sufficient—once I bypassed a local institution's security by copying a MAC address. Power cuts would push him toward using an extension cord or cutting power from essential appliances. I’ve weighed my choices: 1) take the modem with you, 2) suspend internet service temporarily, 3) for DSL, disconnect wiring at a demarcation box, 4) install a reinforced safe with wire routing and physical lock, 5) consider damaging hardware by delivering a high-voltage spike to the NIC, or 6) restrict food supplies and secure the door if he stays.
There’s a major issue with most answers here. Imagine living with your parents and having this level of networking knowledge. They can’t stop me from getting a connection to their router unless I completely remove it. Pulling down doors feels like a weak move for someone in their 20s. I think Beersykins is right—cutting the cable is the better choice. Those who haven’t tried it still face the consequences, which isn’t fair. The main question is: does he use WiFi or cable? If it’s WiFi, fix his drivers or take out the wireless card. If it’s cable, just cut the cord whenever he acts up—this works well in my family. Luckily I’m the one who cuts the cables.
What brand and model of your router do you have? Is your brother accessing the Internet through WiFi or a physical cable? If using WiFi, does your router offer guest mode? You might consider switching him to a guest network and limiting his bandwidth so playback becomes too slow. This depends on whether your router allows it.