How to monitor your usage or restrict your devices via your router

It’s really easy to find yourself losing track of the amount of data you’re using; especially if you tend to download a lot of music or stream movies or TV programmes.

However, there’s a really simple way to avoid this situation. If your account has been enabled your can monitor it by accessing your account but there is another option too via your router.

Your router is capable of setting limitations on the time and the day that the network is accessible. It can even restrict specific devices from accessing the internet…in ten simple steps!

Let’s get started!

Please note that the tab names may vary depending on the make and model of your router.

1. Open a web browser and type in the IP address of the router. This is typically 192.168.1.1 however, if this doesn’t work, you will be able to find it in the router’s manual.
2. Enter the administrator’s username and password – this will allow you to enter the router’s control panel.
3. Open the ‘Access Restrictions’ link in the control panel menu.
4. Tick the ‘Enable’ box. This will activate access to the restrictions settings.
5. Enter the ‘Media Access Controller’ (MAC) address of each computer or device that has permission to access the router’s network. In the ‘Attached Devices’ section of the router’s control panel, you’ll find the MAC address of computers and devices that have previously connected to the router.
6. Click the ‘Apply’ button. This will save the restriction settings you’ve chosen. (Some makes and models of router may reboot before they reload the control panel).
7. Click the ‘Schedule’ button. (You’ll find this in the control panel menu).
8. Select the days you’d like the restrictions to be active by clicking on the appropriate boxes.
9. If you’d like to set start and end times for each day, do this now.
10. Click ‘Apply’ again. This will save all the relevant changes you’ve made.

And so, in 10 easy steps, you’ve limited your Wi-Fi usage!

It’s also very simple to completely block a device if it’s required by setting its schedule to restrict access all day and every day.

If you’d like to make life even easier, while you’re in ‘Access Settings’, alongside its MAC address, you can add a brief description such as ‘Junior’s Ipad’ or ‘Mum’s Laptop’.

Your router is a great piece of equipment – why not use it to its full potential?!

(Thanks to http://smallbusiness.chron.com for the helpful tips)