Restricting internet access to several sites

Tesla · 28 Apr 2008 at 17:35

Hi chaps,

I am researching methods for restricting internet access on one or all computers of a SOHO network. The network is simple with ADSL modem, router and computers, no server.

Ideally I would like to setup a employee computer that has access to a few websites.

Are there any decent software based methods, perhaps HOST file manipulation?

The router is an ADSL Wireless model by Dlink, currently unsure if it offers any router settings along these lines.

Thanks,

Chris

Clairvoyant · 28 Apr 2008 at 18:11

Can you not block words (websites) via the router or the modem.

If you can block then you should be able to set which you can go to.

I can on my tomato firmwared WRT54G.

Antar Bolaeisk · 28 Apr 2008 at 21:41

Modifying the host file I find blocks websites very effectively but I'm guessing what you want is a type of inverse to this whereby you can only access websites listed in the host file.

I wonder would it be possible to stop the internet browser from resolving names with the DNS and just use the host file? I'm sure there'll be someone about who can point out why this idea wouldn't/couldn't work.

Curiosityx · 28 Apr 2008 at 21:57

Does it have the option of adding access lists? If so denying the website IP addresses on the router should do it.

Tesla · 29 Apr 2008 at 10:32

As I can find little info online about the router I am popping over today to have a quick look. Thanks for input so far chaps

doozer · 29 Apr 2008 at 12:31

if you can configure a dns server on the router you could use opendns. They allow blocking of certain sites and you can configure what sites on a list.

Not sure if there is any limitations of number of blocked sites though.

MagicalTrevor · 29 Apr 2008 at 13:58

run a proxy?

Tesla · 30 Apr 2008 at 12:44

In the end I opted for the simple method of Content Filtering in IE.