This topic

Replacing Smart Hub 2 with an Asus router

BeulaBetty — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 18:22:59 GMT

Please would you let me know if it is possible to replace a BT Smart Hub 2 router with an Asus router, such as Asus RT-AX88U? Does Fibre with BT Halo 2 allow a different router to be used? The aim is to be able to change the primary and secondary DNS to improve blocking of online indecent images, which is not possible on the Smart Hub 2.

Many thanks for your help.

Re: Replacing Smart Hub 2 with an Asus router

licquorice — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 18:28:35 GMT

Yes, you can use any third party router with BT broadband. If you have FTTC (I e your hub plugs into the master socket) rather than full fibre (FTTP), you need the DSL modem/ router version rather than the RT router only version though.

Re: Replacing Smart Hub 2 with an Asus router

BeulaBetty — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 18:35:58 GMT

Thanks for your reply. The hub plugs into a socket which is an extension from the master socket so does that mean it is full fibre?

Re: Replacing Smart Hub 2 with an Asus router

licquorice — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 18:41:40 GMT

No, it is FTTC if it plugs into any copper socket.

Re: Replacing Smart Hub 2 with an Asus router

BeulaBetty — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 20:44:35 GMT

Thanks - so an Asus DSL modem router would be OK?

Re: Replacing Smart Hub 2 with an Asus router

licquorice — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 20:54:55 GMT

Yes, the Asus DSL -AC88U would be OK rather than the Asus RT-AX88U. However, it seems rather overkill if all you want to do is change DNS servers, there are cheaper VDSL modem/routers available that you can do that with rather than the top end Asus.

Re: Replacing Smart Hub 2 with an Asus router

licquorice — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 21:15:22 GMT

Not entirely sure changing DNS servers will achieve what you want in any case. As far as I'm aware, it is not possible to block Google images without blocking the entire Google domain although other image sources can be blocked.

Re: Replacing Smart Hub 2 with an Asus router

BeulaBetty — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 22:16:08 GMT

I am hoping to use DNS content filtering to block indecent images. I'd be grateful for any ideas for maximising the chance of blocking indecent images when parental controls on a PC seem to be easily disabled.

Re: Replacing Smart Hub 2 with an Asus router

licquorice — Thu, 21 Apr 2022 07:11:18 GMT

My personal opinion is that parental controls and methods of blocking inappropriate images are only useful when trying to prevent inadvertent access by younger children. Your comment regarding controls being easily disabled implies you are trying to block deliberate access, which I believe is nigh on impossible and any attempt to do so will always be circumvented by any tech savvy child.

Re: Replacing Smart Hub 2 with an Asus router

TimCurtis — Fri, 22 Apr 2022 09:00:32 GMT

With an Asus router there is a section for preventing certain types of sites being accessed which cannot be overridden other than by changing the router settings. It's under AiProtection I think.

Re: Replacing Smart Hub 2 with an Asus router

gg30340 — Fri, 22 Apr 2022 14:08:51 GMT

@TimCurtis wrote:

With an Asus router there is a section for preventing certain types of sites being accessed which cannot be overridden other than by changing the router settings. It's under AiProtection I think.

I would agree with licquorice that it is virtually impossible to stop a computer literate child overcoming parental controls. Just do an Internet search and you will find that there are hundreds if not thousands of post about how overcome them. It is easier to push water uphill.

Is it not the case that any router that allows for parental controls or blocking of certain sites can usually be overridden by changing the router settings. ie by gaining access to the router with the password or by doing a factory reset.

In either case the parent may be unaware that this has been done without checking on a daily basis or while trying to access the router because any new password that had been set has now been over ridden and restored to the factory password.

Re: Replacing Smart Hub 2 with an Asus router

TimCurtis — Fri, 22 Apr 2022 15:02:55 GMT

@gg30340

Of course you're right but at least at the router level you might have a bit more control and if an attempt was made on the individuals device to change DNS settings , for example , then AiProtection would still work whereas BT Parental controls would be bypassed.

Re: Replacing Smart Hub 2 with an Asus router

gg30340 — Fri, 22 Apr 2022 15:25:33 GMT

I don't use BT Parental Controls or the AiProtect but they both appear to work in pretty much the same way. ie at a network level rather than at device level.

As far as I am aware and I could be wrong but it would appear that they both can be over ridden if a VPN is being used on the device.

Re: Replacing Smart Hub 2 with an Asus router

TimCurtis — Fri, 22 Apr 2022 16:51:09 GMT

@gg30340

Actually my mistake , it's the Asus Parental Controls where you can , by MAC Address , restrict access to Adult content etc much the same way as BT Parental Controls but not overridable by DNS changes. Never had to use it in anger so can't verify it's effectiveness.

Re: Replacing Smart Hub 2 with an Asus router

gg30340 — Fri, 22 Apr 2022 16:56:27 GMT

A little bit harder to do but plenty of guides on Internet showing how to spoof MAC addresses so it is not infallible.