Simple internet access control

dave-lew99 · 16 Feb 2010 at 15:17

One of our charitable clients has recently had internet installed into their premises. The management there have asked if there is a way they can 'password protect the internet' so that only a couple of key people can access it.

Their set-up is a single PC, used for Radar monitoring into a basic consumer router. Is there any simple free software which will allow lockout of users?

I'm on the verge of telling them that there isn't such a solution, but i thought I'd raise the question anyway. There is next to no chance of installing a proper gateway solution (instead they'd just unplug the power supply to the router and lock it in a drawer, as that's easy and none technical for them)

paradigm · 16 Feb 2010 at 16:48

What router do they have?

dave-lew99 · 16 Feb 2010 at 16:55

The thomson speedtouch/Be* box thing (780?)

I should point out we're not an IT company (and not responsible for their network), we supplied a radar system (including PC) and they come to us for support.

anything I don't mind · 16 Feb 2010 at 17:43

radar system, what sort of system ? can i get a radar system ?

to prevent people from accessing the internet, if you have access to the clients and they don't know what they are doing you could put a fake proxy in or put a fake gateway. you could even script it so that it runs on start up in the back ground if you have access.

with the router you have the only other way would be to setup a proxy server of some kind on one of the computers and then set all the clients to run through that, but that won't run very well. depending on how many clients you have and other factors.

dave-lew99 · 16 Feb 2010 at 18:15

There's only one computer there, it's primary purpose is to run our radar software (see www.irirsradar.com).

Most of our clients have big IT infrastructure, but this was a charitable installation for a voluntary coast watch service.

I'm quite happy to say that there isn't a practical way to do it in this instance.

K.C. Leblanc · 16 Feb 2010 at 18:28

MS 'Steady State' lets you lockdown windows accounts so they can't access the internet, and also lets you restrict lots of other things.

Create a new account, use Tweak UI to make new account log on automatically, use steady state to lock it right down. Then password the existing account for staff to use.

Not only will it prevent internet access, but also prevent meddling.

dave-lew99 · 16 Feb 2010 at 19:19

That's a useful idea, the trouble is, this is a continuous operation environment, so the software cannot be stopped to allow login/out - they wouldn't be able to monitor the radar and the data won't be recorded.

I think i'll just suggest they lock the PSU for the router in a drawer when they don't need to be online!