Tip: filter websites to protect your network and keep your team focused
Starting from firmware 6.3, Peplink devices support blocking specific website categories as defined by publicly available blocking lists, in addition to blocking specific web domains.
Supported devices
Two versions are available: light and full. The full version supports a larger blacklist with more specific categories.
| Light | Full |
| Balance One, 210, 310 MAX BR1 (hardware revision 2 or above), BR1 ENT, BR2, Transit, OTG (hardware revision 2 or above), 700 HD2, HD2 Mini, HD4 MediaFast 200, HD2, HD4 Surf SOHO (hardware revision 2 or above) |
Balance 305, 380, 580, 710, 1350, 2500 MediaFast 500, 750 |
Blocking pre-set categories
To begin, navigate to Network > Firewall > Content Blocking (For MAX routers: Advanced > Content Blocking).
Light Version
Full Version
For either version, select the categories you wish to block by ticking the checkmarks. Alternately, you can also use our presets by clicking the High, Moderate, and Low radio buttons.
Once the presets are selected, you will be able to add or remove categories as needed. Please note that the presets may change when the device firmware upgrades, potentially changing your category selection.
Blocking user-defined domains
In addition to the pre-set categories, you can also specify domains to block or allow.
If “foobar.com” is entered, any web site with a host name ending in foobar.com will be blocked, e.g. www.foobar.com, foobar.com, etc. However, “myfoobar.com” will not be blocked.
You may enter the wild card “.*” at the end of a domain name to block any web site with a host name having the domain name in the middle. If you enter “foobar.*”, then “www.foobar.com”, “www.foobar.co.jp”, or “foobar.co.uk” will be blocked. Placing the wild card in any other position is not supported.
The device will inspect and look for blocked domain names on all HTTP traffic. Secure web (HTTPS) traffic is not supported.
Exempting user groups and subnets
You can also set up specific user groups or subnets to exempt from web blocking and application blocking. Simply click the checkbox for the groups you wish to exempt, and add your network and subnet masks. Please note that these exemptions affect both web and application blocking.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Web Blocking list work?
Your router has an integrated list of website categories (e.g. adverts, file sharing). When the router detects traffic from a source URL that matches the website list, that traffic can then be blocked if needed.
Will the web blocking list work without an InControl 2 subscription?
Yes, the web blocking list will continue to function without an InControl 2 subscription. However, the list will not be updated.
Will the web blocking list work for out-of-warranty devices?
Yes, the Web Blocking list will continue to function for out-of-warranty devices. However, the list will not be updated.
Can you block video streaming with the YouTube and its mobile app?
Yes. See Tip: block YouTube with Peplink content blocking for details.
Can you block video streaming with the Netflix?
Yes. See Tip: block Netflix with Peplink content blocking for details.
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