What is TP-Link Homecare?

What is TP-Link Homecare?

TP-Link’s Homecare is a built-in service, powered by TrendMicro.  This service is provided for free for the first 3 years and is available in all TP-Link Homecare routers.   This service is actually made up of three separate features:  Parental controls, Antivirus, and QOS.

Antivirus:  The antivirus feature is a whole home network defense service.  What does this mean?  Well, it means it protects all devices on your network, not just computers, but all connected devices.  This means TVs, game consoles, even thermostats and voice assistants are protected.  It does not protect and clean viruses like a traditional antivirus you would find on a computer or tablet does.  Instead it has three functions:  A malicious content filter, an Intrusion prevention system, and a device quarantine. 

            Malicious Content Filter:  If a website is in TrendMicro’s database as known infected or damaging site, it will be blocked, keeping your devices from being infected with malicious code.

            Intrusion Prevention System:  This closes vulnerabilities in your network’s armor, protecting your system and applications from external attacks.

            Device Quarantine:  If a device has been compromised the system will quarantine it.   This device will still have access to the internet, but it will not be able to communicate with network resources, applications or devices, thus protecting the rest of your network and devices from infection.

QOS:  Quality of service or QOS is another feature of HomeCare.  While most TP-Link routers have a QOS feature, they are not as intuitive and robust as the QOS provided in Homecare. So what does QOS even do?  In simplest terms it gives traffic priority to specifically set devices or services.  Homecare QOS can be set either at the application level, like gaming, streaming, surfing or chatting, or by device. When choosing application you can even set a customer setting that allows you to set multiple applications to the same high priority.

Parental Controls:  Parental controls is another feature that you can find in most TP-Link Routers but the version in Homecare is a cut above the rest.  Frist you can set a profile for each child giving unique settings for each kid and their devices.  Next you can group devices under a single profile, so that all devices in that profile adhere to the same rules. When setting the rules you can choose form one of 4 preset:  Child (0-7), Pre-Teen (8-12), Teen (13-17), and Adult (17+).  Each preset has specific filters already enabled, although you can customize these preset and even add your own.  You are even able to set online time limits that limit that ammount of time that can be spent online each day and even bed time which disables the internet access to the affected devices for a set ammount of time. Form the dashboard you are even able to view traffic history and pause their internet access.  For example if its dinner time you make sure you don’t hear “5 more minutes!”.

For a list of Homecare router follow this link:  https://www.tp-link.com/us/home-networking/routers/wifi-routers?filterby=5707