Block a particular webpage on particular clients: new round
Hello, I asked this question a while ago and it was solved configuring the hardware Firewall.
The situation has changed though: I need to block access to a particular webpage on a series of clients in a school, but I can't use the firewall anymore.
The reason is this: the clients are now being used by teachers to connect their tablets/notebooks to the wifi network. I have configured the clients so they share their internet connection via wifi (we don't have a wifi connection in classes, it's all cable).
If a client is blocked, the tablet/notebook connecting to it will be blocked too, but I need them to have no restrictions.
So, I'm looking for a software based solution to this. Some way to block web pages on the clients. I couldn't find a good software for this.
The hosts file won't help me because it doesn't work with web pages, but only whole websites.
I hope somebody can help me. The server is Windows SBS 2011 and the clients are all Windows 7 Professional.
The situation has changed though: I need to block access to a particular webpage on a series of clients in a school, but I can't use the firewall anymore.
The reason is this: the clients are now being used by teachers to connect their tablets/notebooks to the wifi network. I have configured the clients so they share their internet connection via wifi (we don't have a wifi connection in classes, it's all cable).
If a client is blocked, the tablet/notebook connecting to it will be blocked too, but I need them to have no restrictions.
So, I'm looking for a software based solution to this. Some way to block web pages on the clients. I couldn't find a good software for this.
The hosts file won't help me because it doesn't work with web pages, but only whole websites.
I hope somebody can help me. The server is Windows SBS 2011 and the clients are all Windows 7 Professional.
Miguel Angel Perez Muñoz
Pickup old computer, install Linux with squid and problem go away.
ASKER
Sorry, that's not an option, these are computers used in classes by teachers and students, they have no idea how to use Linux. Also, we use tons and tons of software running only on Windows.
I need to do this on Windows 7.
I need to do this on Windows 7.
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Are these clients actually used for the Internet? If not, you can just setup proxy in Internet options to point to a fake address (e.g. 0.0.0.0 port 80). That should only affect the client itself and the wireless devices should continue to work.
ASKER
They are heavily used for the Internet.
The hardware firewall is already configured for stopping these pages on the clients I need, but I can't use it anymore for the reason I stated in my question.
We're using free security software for budget reasons, and there's no option to block the pages.
I guess I'll have to stick with browser specific blocks. I already uninstalled explorer and found an extension for Chrome. Problem is, the extension can be uninstalled.
I've read somewhere Chrome extensions can be forced through group policy, guess that's material for another question.
The hardware firewall is already configured for stopping these pages on the clients I need, but I can't use it anymore for the reason I stated in my question.
We're using free security software for budget reasons, and there's no option to block the pages.
I guess I'll have to stick with browser specific blocks. I already uninstalled explorer and found an extension for Chrome. Problem is, the extension can be uninstalled.
I've read somewhere Chrome extensions can be forced through group policy, guess that's material for another question.
ASKER
I've actually done it, no need for another question. I have installed a Chrome extension (Tinyfilter) via group policy, uninstalled all browsers except Chrome and set a password to access the extension's settings.
So now nobody can uninstall the extension, change its settings or install another browser. Just as I wanted it.
So now nobody can uninstall the extension, change its settings or install another browser. Just as I wanted it.
Hi Maioneis, great to hear that you got it sorted out. Thanks for the points. Cheers!