Web Filtering

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Does anyone know of some web filtering software that will only allow access to pre-authorised websites?

I'm asking because in a school the little darlings love going out and finding websites that havent been picked up by the LEA filter and blocked out.

What I want to do is to only allow access to websites that I have authorised, and block access to all others.

Now I know that this is in theory possible using complex cisco access lists and some NAT translations, but that is way over my head, so I'd like a software solution that can be easilly modified.

Does Microsoft ISA Server do this?

 

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One software I'm familiar with is Surf Control.

http://www.surfcontrol.com/

 

I use this at work mate

http://www.websense.com/global/en/

They do a trial version for you to test as well

 

Thanks TG,

I was aware of surfcontrol before, but never really looked into what they offered.

This perhaps has something to do with the fact that they keep sending me unsolicited stuff in the post all every week???

 

EDIT: Thanks Rostros also. You nipped in there whilst I was replying!

EDIT: I really must make sure that I click the edit button and not the quote button!

 

Simon, you might want to get in touch with AJ as I know he was in the same situation as you with the same problems. Also Bluerinse is the resident expert with ISA server here but from what little I know of it you can do what you're asking.

 

Thanks Nugget!

 

Thanks AJ, just had a look at their product and it looks like it offers everything that we need and more, a lot more!

The only downside to it may be the cost.

I'm sure that if I push some Legal / Ethical things at them though they may come around!

 

http://www.smoothwall.net/

Have a look there mate, not personally used the corporate edition but ive heard a lot of good things about it.
Also very cost effective.

Neall

EDIT: http://www.smoothwall.net/products/family/internetaccess.html

There to be more specific.

 

Yes ISA can easily do this. You would need to set up a site and content rule.

Pete

 

If your school can afford that it must be the best managed state school in Britain! The school I've just finished working for is already spending next years money.

 

doesn't your isp provide this kind of service mate?

when i was at school, bt (i think) did the filtering side of things.

it was a few years ago mind so i could be wrong!

 

There is filtering provided by our ISP which is an LEA consortium.

The problem with it though, without being harsh, is that its a very poor service. Whilst it does filter some sites there are far to many sites that get through the filter, hence why I'd rather try to block every site, and allow only pre approved ones through.

The other thing about the LEA filter is that is you want a site blocking you have to send them an email stating why you would like it blocked, they will then evaluate the request and do what they feel is necessary. Sometimes you find that it gets blocked within the hour, sometimes it can take them a week or so, and sometimes you never hear anything back at all!

 

yeah i remember now, as a test our computing teacher got us to type in "xxx" and said it would be filtered.

he wasn't too chuffed that the pages started loading up.......

half an hour ranting on the phone later.....