Blocking a Laptop via Router

[TheAristocrat]

Hi,
I just wanted to know if it is possible to block a certain laptop from accessing Sky via the router. If so, how would I go about doing so?

Regards

[Scubbie]

I just wanted to know if it is possible to block a certain laptop from accessing Sky via the router. If so, how would I go about doing so?

Assuming that you can't get access to the laptop and remove your router's details from it, you have a couple of choices:

1. Change the Network Key and/or the SSID of your router

2. Enable 'Wireless Station Access List'

For option 1, you will need to change any other device to match the new details.

Enter: 192.168.0.1 in to the address line of your browser.

Username = admin
Password = sky

Click the 'SETUP' tab

Change either (or both) 'Name (SSID)' or 'WPA-PSK Security Encryption' settings to match your new choice.

For option 2, you will first need to set up the feature by logging in to the router and recording the WiFi MAC address of all your WiFi enabled devices, then you can enable the feature.

Enter: 192.168.0.1 in to the address line of your browser.

Username = admin
Password = sky

Click the 'SETUP' tab and then click 'SETUP ACCESS LIST' (beside the 'Wireless Station Access List' heading).

Follow the instructions on the screen for adding the MAC codes.

When you have completed this, click the box beside 'Turn Access Control On'.

Remember that this is enabled when ever you get a new device. It will need to be added.

[TheAristocrat]

Wont I need to contact Sky to change any of these details? I could have sworn I was told about/ or read this some time ago.

[I_Hate_Sky_Awnsers]

Wont I need to contact Sky to change any of these details? I could have sworn I was told about/ or read this some time ago.

None of the above details need approval or input from Sky to be changed.

All the above changes are done in the router.

[Scubbie]

The only thing I would suggest is to save your router settings (see <Maintenance> <Backup Settings> for more info) in case you need to reset the router at a later date or it is done accidental.

I have used both features on my WiFi routers for some time now. The 'Wireless Station Access List' feature beefs up both WEP & WPA-PSK security as any device trying to get onto your router also needs to be pre-approved and spoofing a WiFi MAC address is harder to do for many people.

Note: I didn't say impossible!

The only hiccup for me was forgetting that I'd set it up when a friend visited. When she tried to connect her Laptop we couldn't work out why.

Once I realised I turned the feature off, allowing her laptop to connect. I was then able to capture the MAC address and update the list to include her Laptop. I then re-enabled the feature & all was fine once more.

[Isitme]

You don't say whether this laptop is owned by someone in your house. If it does, remember Scubbie's instructions will only stop them connecting by wireless, they can plug in by ethernet and this will not stop them. There is no way you can stop an ethernet connection, you can make it difficult, but anything you put in can be bypassed by anyone with a bit of network knowledge.

[I_Hate_Sky_Awnsers]

If as tom suggested it is being connected by an ethernet cable then just hide the cable.

[Scubbie]

You don't say whether this laptop is owned by someone in your house.

I was aware that this wasn't mentioned and I realise that there are many reasons for locking computers out of a network.

The system I've described will only allow a WiFi enabled laptop that has got permission to connect via WiFi and as you've correctly pointed out, the same system does not apply to any device connected physically by an Ethernet cable.