Website Blocking on Windows 7
Group Policy, Website accessibility, Windows 7, Windows 7 Administration, Windows Security, Windows XP
Dear Sir/Mam
Software/Hardware used:
Win XP sp2
We have 40 PC and some laptop, we want to block some specified website.
The all system are connected with two switch in workgroup computer,
Conection Type: Broadband ADSL2+ is directly conected toswitch and conection is shared to all PC. in windows Xp/Win 7 OS.
Software/Hardware used:
Win XP sp2
ASKED:
March 8, 2011 6:40 AM
UPDATED:
June 21, 2011 3:40 PM
Answer Wiki:
you can use proxy (linux based, free) to block websites...
OR
from your router, you can use the rules to block (if you dont have so many websites)
To see all answers submitted to the Answer Wiki: View Answer History.
A firewall / router / security device solution between the DSL modem and your switch would be a great way to accomplish what you’re asking…
For some specifics, look at Untangle. I’ve been using their firewall for 3 years now, and love it. We started with the freebie version, and upgraded two years ago to the paid version. Both include a website blocker that lets you filter by categories. Both the fre and paid versions also let you use your own lists of URLs to block if you have a list. Obviously the paid version has a lot more features, but it’s worth looking at the free first. Other options are also out there… some consumer-grade home routers have basic filtering now.
I think the solutions given are great but may be more in depth than what you need to accomplish this. Given your current setup I wouldn’t imagine you have IT personnel to install a firewall or proxy server, is this correct?
We use opendns and it works great, you can block categories or sites like games or adult sites, as well as block specific domains. The free version can blacklist 25 specific domains. Simply sign up, add the DNS servers to your router and add the blacklisted sites in the admin console.
OpenDNS is used in addition to our network infrastructure, but I have seen it used in similar cases as yours with great results. Hope this helps!
Check out this article on OpenDNS. It has some great tips on using OpenDNS in the enterprise and what protection OpenDNS can provide.