Blocking sites

Does anyone know of any good programs, preferably free, that will block sites from being accessed by a user? Something other than a firewall. Maybe some type of software to keep kids off certain sites?

Thanks in advance.

edit the hosts file on the local machines,
use a proxy-squid,
use content filtering software,
configure IE zones.
just a few options...

Do you know of any free content filtering software? Thanks for the quick response man.

You could try SafeSquid .

At http://kids.getnetwise.org/tools/ you can find a useful overview of various tools, although I doubt they are free. The site does give a good comparison about the different tools.

A good free tool though is education. If this is about your children then explain to them why you don't want to visit certain sites and tell them what they should do if they do get in contact with unwanted contents. But the GetNetWise site explains a bit more about that too. Just don't know if you've seen it before so I mention it here.

Also keep in mind that your children might be disobedient if you just install a tool without explaining why. And they will learn some tricks to use to bypass those filters. Don't trust any of those tools blindly...

Whats wrong with using a firewall? Do you have one installed already, if not it would prob be a good thing to get one if you have kids using the computer!

If you do have one you will almost certainly be able to block web sites with it.

Quote:

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Originally posted here by Katja
Don't trust any of those tools blindly... [/B]

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. . . which means learn to monitor your system, and then tell them you can easily find out what they have been doing despite their attempts to cover it up. You'll only have to prove it once.

Have a look at this sneaky little tool . . .

http://www.stevengould.org/software/indexdatspy/

We have a hardware firewall in the office. It's not actually for a kid, but a young guy who is sort of like a kid in the office. My boss asked me if I could block all football sites; porn sites; etc.. They don't want me to mess with the firewall to do this. I'll look into some of the links you all have given. Thanks a lot.

Are you running any kind of proxy in your office?

All we have is a NAT. It's a small office set up.