asked on Hosts file website blocking in VISTA
I created a HOSTS file that contains 3 web addresses that I wish to restrict user access. I put the file on two XP workstations and the effectively blocked access to the sites. However I have two Vista machines and when I put the HOSTS file on those machines and typed in the web address, the browser took me to a Google search. The site was listed at the top and I clicked on it. It took me straight to the web site I was trying to block.
The files I want to block are EBAY.com, YOUTUBE.com, and FACEBOOK.com.
I have a linksys WRT120N router and put these addresses in INTERNET ACCESS RESTRICTIONS. But could still type the URL and go straight to the website.
I know that a I can purchase a firewall but is that my only option to restrict access to certain websites by users on a 8 workstation LAN.
The files I want to block are EBAY.com, YOUTUBE.com, and FACEBOOK.com.
I have a linksys WRT120N router and put these addresses in INTERNET ACCESS RESTRICTIONS. But could still type the URL and go straight to the website.
I know that a I can purchase a firewall but is that my only option to restrict access to certain websites by users on a 8 workstation LAN.
Microsoft Legacy OSSoftware FirewallsWeb Browsers
Last Comment
Ray Ergenbright
As long as the users are not administrators you could probably use parental controls to do this as well.
Try this site: http://www1.k9webprotection.com/
It's free, and I think you'll get exactly what you need from it.
Of course, unless you're in an enterprise environment, in which case, this won't be robust enough to handle your needs, but then again, the HOST file solution wouldn't be either in that case :)
It's free, and I think you'll get exactly what you need from it.
Of course, unless you're in an enterprise environment, in which case, this won't be robust enough to handle your needs, but then again, the HOST file solution wouldn't be either in that case :)
do you have an internal DNS server, you can use it to restrict access. The other option is to use a proxy server and restrict access by denied the access to the URL using the proxy server.
You would need to disable the suggest option in IE.
You would need to disable the suggest option in IE.
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Find an old useless pc, add 2 nics and install ipcop & dansguardian
Simple, fast, reliable yet cost effective :)
Simple, fast, reliable yet cost effective :)
ASKER
thanks for the answers. This solution is what I needed. I had set the addresses but failed to select the computers. Things seem to work well.