Content blocking?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Steven Platt
  • Start date Start date
S

Steven Platt

I am about to be in charge of some computers that I will have no remote
control over. I need to set them up right the first time. I am going to be
installing the Shared Computer Toolkit
(http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sharedaccess/default.mspx) for sure.

I need a great way to filter internet traffic. Does anyone know if MS
offers something like this? I work for a non-profit organization so the
cheaper the better. I need to filter porn, language, etc... from the kids
that these computers will be for. Any ideas?

Thanks,
-Steven-
 
Steven said:
I am about to be in charge of some computers that I will have no remote
control over. I need to set them up right the first time. I am going to
be installing the Shared Computer Toolkit
(http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sharedaccess/default.mspx) for sure.

I need a great way to filter internet traffic. Does anyone know if MS
offers something like this? I work for a non-profit organization so the
cheaper the better. I need to filter porn, language, etc... from the kids
that these computers will be for. Any ideas?
Click to expand...

AFAIK there's nothing built into XP that will help you. Cheap? Put in a
Linux box and run Squid on it or other type of proxy server.

Malke
 
Of course Internet Explorer contains the built in Content Advisor but I
never really liked it much and it is possible to override it depending on
the access level a user has to a computer and only works for Internet
Explorer.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/ie6/using/howto/security/contentadv/config.mspx

Beyond that there are third party programs such as Net Nanny and Cyber
Sitter that can be used. They may have a discount for non profit groups if
you ask. Again if a user gets control over the computer they could bypass
such programs. Probably the best solution is to filter content at the
firewall though that will take an initial investment. Sonicwall for example
has devices like the TZ170 that can do subscription based content filtering
which means that it refers to a database that is constantly updated. It can
also do virus scans on certain content before the files ever enter the
network. While such a device can seem expensive at first it consider the
consequences if a lawsuit occurs because of someone able to view
objectionable content either on their computer. Also if you do look at
purchasing a firewall device make sure it allow the number of needed users
as they have levels such as 10, 25, 50 and unrestricted.

Be sure that the computer are physically secured to some degree, that they
are configured to boot only from the system drive, and that the cmos
settings are password protected though even that is not foolproof.

http://www.cybersitter.com/ -- Cyber Sitter
http://www.sonicguard.com/TZ170.asp?source=google&keyword=sonicwalltz170 ---
TZ170
 
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