preventing an IP address being used in Internet Explorer

[gwendes]

We have a problem with meebo.com. The kids are very talented when it comes to finding a new IP address for this site - even blocking entire x.x.*.* ranges there are more. What we've decided is we would like to block the use of any IP address for the students. Has anyone done this? We have just been adding any new addresses to the proxy exceptions list - is there a wildcard to throw *.*.*.* into the ether?

[ChrisH]

Best done using a proxy server. You need to set it to do a reverse lookup on IP addresses. This obviously is dependant on your proxy software.

Keyword filtering is also another must these days.

[marco84]

It can be done easily with Squid and Dansguardian, but im unsure of any other methods.

[gwendes]

Just looking for the simplest option - wanted to avoid software if possible. I'll keep looking a little bit longer, didn't want to introudce another proxy to our system!

[ChrisH]

In the long run you will find yourself needing to do more and more stuff so early adoption of a better more flexible system is easier in the long run.

[OutToLunch]

We have just been adding any new addresses to the proxy exceptions list - is there a wildcard to throw *.*.*.* into the ether?

... what proxy server are you already using?

[gwendes]

Just using the LEA proxy and the exceptions list in IE7 for ease and speed.

[webman]

You can do this in squidGuard using !in-addr.

[gwendes]

Looks like decent software - going to investigate Thanks

[NetworkGeezer]

Or as a bodge you could do a static route to obivlion for said IP.

[gwendes]

Unfortunately the IP keeps changing. I have come up with a bodge though. Proxy exceptions for 1/220.*.*.* - seems to work a treat but I ran out of space in the little text box so 221/255.*.*.* is still ok - if they find a meebo.com mirror there...

[ChrisH]

Keyword filtering for meebo would sort you out there.

[gwendes]

The LEA already block meebo - the kids use IP addresses - loads of them...

[NetworkGeezer]

Rather than tech fix you could also consider treating as a normal disciplinary matter. If you log activity and match it to users ask them to justify the use of IP addresses. If they can't then teachers neeed to take action.

[ChrisH]

I dont mean URL blocking I mean a filter that reads the web pages and can pick up the word meebo.