asked on

How do I block URLs by user in Windows?

First of all, I'm not ruling out the possibility of purchasing a proxy appliance if that's the best solution but I would like to figure out if there's any way to block certain users from some websites.

I'm using Active Directory already so I'm thinking I'd have one or more groups. Members of each group would have a list of blocked URLs. That way they'd be blocked regardless of which computer they were using and I could maintain a separate list for each group. Is this even possible?

awawada

Do you use GPO's?

If yes have a look : http://www.grouppolicy.biz/2010/07/how-to-use-group-policy-to-allow-or-block-urls/ or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1G_bFPzwkSE

Russ Suter

ASKER

That seems fine for Internet Explorer but most users on my network use Chrome.

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

NVIT

membership

This solution is only available to members.

To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.

Start Free Trial

awawada

Then I would edit your host files.

http://www.guidingtech.com/4868/edit-hosts-file-block-websites/

NVIT

Editing the host files can work. However, part of the question is...

Members of each group would have a list of blocked URLs. That way they'd be blocked regardless of which computer they were using...

Doesn't the host file apply at the computer level? If so, need to account for that.

awawada

@NewVillageIT

I know GPO's can be bypassed. But you will need some IT knowledge to do that. You can put a warning message and nobody will try that...

Hope you also know that a proxy Server and firewall with URL filtering can be bypassed? What is not possible today???

@Russ Suter

I only know these both free methods. If you use Chrome, I would also go with a proxy server or a firewall with URL filtering options.