How to block YouTube in PFSense

Wolf666 · Oct 21, 2014, 1:36 PM

Maybe you want a Web Filter app as SquidGuard together with Squid.
Check: https://doc.pfsense.org/index.php/SquidGuard_package

Another solution is to use OpenDNS DNS, register for a free account, update your IP via DNSOMATIC, use their Web Content Filtering feature.
Check: http://www.opendns.com/home-internet-security/

Depends on your needs. For a basic home user the second one is preferred.

rjcrowder · Oct 21, 2014, 2:31 PM

@jonfil0130:

Hi,

I'd like to ask some help from you guys on how to block youtube using pfsense. I tried to use Alias and put in all the IPs of youtube i think more or less 20 IPs then created a rule on LAN pointing to my Block youtube alias but it didn't work. Any suggestion pls. Thanks in advance.

If you setup the rule correctly, that should work…

Another option is to put a DNS override in (on the DNS page)... just resolve youtube.com to some bogus address.

giridhar.daida · Jul 16, 2015, 8:35 AM

Hi All,

If I block youtube, google page also not locading. So please help me. How to block block YouTube and Facebook.

Thanks,
Giridhar

doktornotor · Jul 16, 2015, 8:42 AM

No, you do not block YT with firewall rules. Not without causing loads of collateral damage.

KOM · Jul 16, 2015, 2:09 PM

How to block block YouTube and Facebook

With an URL filter like Squid/squidGuard, or DansGuardian, or the upcoming E2Guardian.

n3by · Jul 16, 2015, 7:53 PM

Except YouTube access is https and it is a little hard to block with Squid…

Facebook you can block in firewall - pfblocker:

http://bgp.he.net/search?search[search]=facebook&commit=Search

KOM · Jul 16, 2015, 8:12 PM

Except YouTube access is https and it is a little hard to block with Squid…

Since when? Squid has no problem with HTTPS if you configure it properly eg. in explicit mode with WPAD instead of transparent mode.

noriel · Jul 25, 2015, 9:01 AM

@jonfil0130:

Hi,

I'd like to ask some help from you guys on how to block youtube using pfsense. I tried to use Alias and put in all the IPs of youtube i think more or less 20 IPs then created a rule on LAN pointing to my Block youtube alias but it didn't work. Any suggestion pls. Thanks in advance.

Hi!

I'm able to block youtube with pfsense and OpenDNS help.. so if it's okay for you to use openDns alongside your pfsense…your problem is solved.

I can share here the link of the guide if needed

Guest · Jul 25, 2015, 9:12 AM

I can share here the link of the guide if needed

Would be nice to here from you.

noriel · Jul 26, 2015, 2:49 AM

here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZ6sEWRmvz4 If you guys have a better solution, you can share it too… Thanks

giridhar.daida · Jul 28, 2015, 9:08 AM

Hi,

Is there any option to block YouTube and Facebook (HTTPs sites) without OpenDNS and third party applications, only pf sense device?

We are not suppose to use third party application…

Also is there option keyword blocking?

Thanks,
Giridhar Daida.

doktornotor · Jul 28, 2015, 9:12 AM

@giridhar.daida: Helps to read the thread before posting.

Harvy66 · Jul 28, 2015, 12:18 PM

Block external DNS and set DNS to resolve youtube.com to 127.0.0.1

Keyword blocking, can't be done without a proxy, PFSense is not a proxy so you need 3rd-party software.

jahonix · Jul 28, 2015, 8:33 PM

@Harvy66:

… resolve youtube.com to 127.0.0.1

Then users start using yt.ca .fr .de .co.uk … you get the picture.

itthelip · Apr 11, 2017, 8:21 AM

you can block any site using blacklist in proxy server.

Path :- Services- Proxy server- ACLs- blacklist

Enter Website name in Blacklist then no one will have access to particular site

moscato359 · Apr 12, 2017, 1:56 AM

@jahonix:

@Harvy66:

… resolve youtube.com to 127.0.0.1

Then users start using yt.ca .fr .de .co.uk … you get the picture.

If I go to any of those, it redirects me to youtube.com

This is the .de version's URL
https://www.youtube.com/?hl=de&gl=DE

mcdiesel · Jul 25, 2017, 8:29 PM

Here is another method, using new features in pfsense's dns resolver unbound

https://forum.pfsense.org/index.php?topic=131833.msg725378#msg725378

chhinfo · Aug 12, 2017, 1:41 PM

First of all thank to pFsense!
It's just perfect. Right now we have pFsense box hand dhcp to 15 UniFi router for our company! We just block Facebook & Youtube (Android App + iOS App)!
I use pFsense 2.2.6-RELEASE (amd64) (I am not sure about other newer version).

1 - Firewall > Rules > (Interface You wanna block)

2 - Create Rule to allow the interface can talk to DNS:
(for Whom don't know how to create:
action = pass
TCP/IP Version = IPv4 _Protocol = tcp/udp
Source = Staff net {My interface name: Staff, you have your own}
Destination = Staff Address
Destination port = DNS 53
Check => Log packets that are handled by this rule)

3 - Create Rule for Managers going to any where:
(for Whom don't know how to do:
=> Firewall > Aliases > add new Aliase:
Name = Managers
Hosts > Add new entry > 10.11.11.253 <= My Staff net = 10.11.11.0/24, and not surprisingly IP 253 is mine
=> Firewall > Rule:
action = pass
TCP/IP Version = IPv4
Protocol = tcp/udp
Source = Alias:Managers
Destination = Any
Destination port = Any
Check => Log packets that are handled by this rule)

4 - Create Rule for blocking Facebook:
=> Firewall > Aliases > add new Aliase:
Name = facebookApp
Hosts > Bulk import from Aliases list > facebookApp.txt <= File in the attachment
=> Firewall > Rule:
action = block
TCP/IP Version = IPv4
Protocol = tcp/udp
Source = Staff net
Destination = Aliases: facebookApp
Destination port = Any
Check => Log packets that are handled by this rule)

5 - Create Rule for Staffs accessing allowed Website

6 - Create Rule for Managers accessing Google: <= this is how youtube app got block

My company not allowed Google Search for users, that why Managers group is the target.
=> Firewall > Traffic Shaper > Layer7 > Create new l7 rules group
Check = Enable/Disable layer7 Container
Name = youtubeBlock
Add entry = httpvideo > action = block
=> Firewall > Aliases > add new Aliase:
Name = googleApp
Hosts > Bulk import from Aliases list > googleApp.txt <= File in the attachment
=> Firewall > Rule:
action = block
TCP/IP Version = IPv4
Protocol = tcp/udp
Source = Aliases: Managers
Destination = Aliases: googleApp
Destination port = Any
Check => Log packets that are handled by this rule)
Advanced features = Layer7: youtubeBlock

7 - Create Rule to deny anything:
=> Firewall > Rule:
action = block
TCP/IP Version = IPv4
Protocol = tcp/udp
Source = any
Destination = any
Destination port = Any
Check => Log packets that are handled by this rule)

8 - Test it on android and iOS

Good luck blocking youtube app @@

facebookApp.txt
googleApp.txt_

Gertjan · Aug 12, 2017, 3:20 PM

Blocking "youtube" - or any other big organization, just watch http://www.wikihow.com/Access-YouTube-at-School to see the start of what might be an answer.

Blocking DNS requests won't stand long, as any user can list up in his own host file all the "yahoo" domaine names.

edit : I didn't try what @ajchhai proposed - I saw his reply after posting …

bjokib · Mar 9, 2018, 10:11 PM

I am going the DNS route. For now, the kids won't be able to change the dns server on their device… yet.

Thanks for the suggestions though.