an internet cafe` problem

[wimmaster]

Hello every one
Sorry if the thread was over there some where and I didn’t fine it
Here is my problem …
I manage an internet café and I have P3 desktop PCs with 128 RAM … XP operating system …
I have a satellite connection for my internet … my ISP cut off my internet and force my to pay forfeit every time he thinks that I have a viruses or anything wrong on my system … there for I must have a good firewall with a good security on my PCs especially when I have a clients that don't take care of the PCs …
I have Norton internet security and it doing well but the problem that Norton takes all the RAM and keep the PC freezing all the time and the clients don’t like that for sure so I have to find another solution … zone alarm with web filtering is good but the client can turn it off any time (I don’t need that ) the firewall must be on all the time
So what I really need is
1- a way to make the zone alarm working all the time and cant be turned off (only with password).
2- A free web filtering software that can make me able to block all of the porno … adult site. .etc
Thx all and sorry if I am not really clear

[HTRegz]

Hey Hey,

Since you are looking at several PCs sharing a connection, I think you're best bet would be to setup filtering before the PCs are even reached, eliminate the need for a firewall on the public PCs. A small linux box before the switch that connects the PCs would definately do the trick, it'd be a lot more secure and a lot easier to manage. IPCop seems to be fairly popular for this use, and I know there are other speciality Linux distrobutions that AO users use and will prolly mention to you. Sys Admin Magazine had a nice article about using IPCop to secure intranets (http://www.samag.com/documents/s=902...402a/0402a.htm)


As far as your AV goes... while Norton does use a good chunk of memory, I'd say it's not your main problem. The problem is that you are running XP on PCs with 128MB of RAM, and you probably have clients doing somewhat intensive operations (such as gaming)... I'd suggest changing your OS to Win2K pro, or upgrading the RAM in those machines to at least 256MB.. You should notice that Norton runs much better after that.

Peace,
HT

[wimmaster]

Dear HTRegz thx for your reply
i have some PCs with 256 RAm but the majority have 128 and i still have that problem ...
the owner of the place will not pay a cent for every thing so i have to find a free softwares for firewall and web filtering ....
thx for your reply

[Modderfokker]

But wimmaster,

As HTRegz said just get a small linux box to do the filtering with, it doesnt have to be costly at all and im sure you could pick up a toaster more than suitable for the job for a small price.

And in my opinion, paying a small price is better than losing a lot because of lack of service

[steve.milner]

128MB is the minimum reccomended for XP

See : http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/p...n/sysreqs.mspx

If you are running any software with any power you will need more.

If you aren't familiar with linux, try it almost pain free by booting a knoppix cd - Check this out.

www.knoppix.org

Steve

[s3nate]

um...if you are looking for a free good firewall that can be password protected so that your clients cant turn them off then i would say you should download Kerio, go to www.download.com and searh kerio, its a 30 day trial...for the pro version, but the firewall is free, the pro version only include things such as ad-blockers, nothin much, but the firewall is great, and can be password protected, hope that helps

[morganlefay]

Your computers should have more RAM...
XP loves memory and actually runs in memory...
More memory will inprove the performance of the computers
min 512

As previously suggested set up a box as a firewall\gateway..2 NICs...let that do your filtering etc and this will also free up resources on your end machines.

Also you can then setup monitoring\logging on the firewall\gateway.

HTHs
MLF

[MilitantEidolon]

You seem to be in a real dilemma here. You need to make your system harder, more secure and faster without spending any money. Well luckily for you their is lunix and wonderful programmers who don't see a dang red cent for their work but get contentment from seeing people learn from and reuse their proggies.

I would give the same advice as those prior or to me drop linux box and run it as your gateway. I would also run Keiro Firewall (free) on the gateway.

Also with XP and 128mb or even 256mb you are asking for insane slowdowns. However you drop the XP install and load up a 2000 (you won't infringe on your licensing either since 2000 and XP are running on the same licensing now).

Link to Keiro Firewall:
http://www.kerio.com/us/beta_section.html

Overview of Linux Dists:
http://www.linuxiso.org/

There you go hope this helps you.

- MilitantEidolon

[wimmaster]

thx guys but i have 1 more problem i need a free web filtering software to block the porn sites ... sex sites ... etc and do u think that norton antiviruse with zone alarm or any other firewall is enough for protection ... by the way here in iraq we have a very small knowledge in *nix and i dont have a geatway only only satellite receiver and hop with 13 IP thats all
thx for your reply

[MilitantEidolon]

I am not sure exactly what you are looking for a but you can find alot of freeware or shareware at http://www.snapfiles.com/ it is a good resource to bookmark.

Also Kerio can work on a Windows Based environment. So you can setup a firewall on your server computer (that is assuming you have a server computer).


- MilitantEidolon