Trying to block Google Hangouts/chat on a single device....?

[scrappydeb]

I'm new to OpenDNS and only moderately techy, so please bear with me. I am trying to use OpenDNS to control access on our kids' computer. (I'd do it at the router level, but unless/until I get a new router to piggyback on the one we have from Comcast, I can't do it at the router level.) Eventually, if I can figure all this out and get it working as I want, I may also try to use it on my 14 yo's school-issued Chromebook (not sure if I'll be able to, but I do know that I can always block THAT device completely at the router if need be.)

So I configured OpenDNS on kids' PC (running Windows 7, for what that's worth). I've successfully applied some filters. But I really want to block Google Hangouts, so that when said 14 yo is using that computer for *cough*cough* "homework" *cough*cough* he can't be distracted by chatting.

I have added to the block list (based on my research here):

• apis.google.com              
• chatenabled.mail.google.com   
• clients6.google.com       
• instagram.com
• talk.google.com               
• talkgadget.google.com
• talkx.l.google.com

I'm testing by logging into my husband's google account on kids' computer, and using my account on my laptop. I thought I was successful, because when I tried to SEND a message FROM kids' computer it wouldn't send! Yay! However, when I SEND a message FROM MY computer, it DOES appear on the Hangouts chat on the kids' computer, where it should be blocked. Boo! So it appears that messages can't be SENT on the "blocked device" but can be received. Looks like I'm halfway there. Any suggestions?

As an aside, I would prefer to be able to block these domains at the router level, because there, I can set up "scheduling" and easily turn the restrictions on and off. My router does allow me to block "sites" and "services", but when I enter these domains on the router parental controls, it doesn't work there, either. So if anyone has ideas about that, they are also welcome.

[rotblitz]

It looks like you successfully blocked the domain names being used to send messages but missed to block some in charge for receiving messages.

How does your son access Google Hangouts?  With a web browser or with another app?
According to http://www.webpagetest.org/domains.php?test=151027_NP_12JZ&run=1&cached=0 it could be sufficient to add hangouts.google.com to your "always block" list.  If this measure or blocking others from this list does not help, you would have to run something like http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/dns_query_sniffer.html before you start to access Hangouts for receiving messages, so that you clearly see what domain names are being queried.

If you got a final list of domain names where blocking works as expected, you should be able to also apply them on the router's blocking feature.

[scrappydeb]

Thank you for the help! We've decided to take another approach, so I think we are going to leave hangouts "open" on the living room computer.... for now. There is some argument that there are "legitimate" reasons for him to use it, but we prefer it to be in "family area", rather than on his Chromebook in his room. If we change our approach and need to block it at some point, I'll try your suggestion!