Web Filtering

[ltunstall]

Hi our internet is being filtered by the LEA, as you all know it takes ages to get a website blocked and unblocked, we are after being able to filter it ourselfs so we can block a website instantly.

 

Just wondered whats the best way to go about it, so need but if advise really

 

thanks

[Geoff]

What is your budget for this project?

[ltunstall]

we dont really have a budget in mind but the cheaper the better really!

[Geoff]

Which leads to the next question. How good are you with Linux?

[mungo2k]

Does your LEA not provide you with override facilities for the web filtering? Here in Somerset we have rights to "deny" or "permit" URL patterns on the provided RM Safetynet filtering system (sadly only on a sitewide basis). They even provide a rather complicated way of allowing a staff member temporary unfiltered access to the web, which we've occasionally used to expose Bebo bullying etc.

 

Otherwise you should be able to block (but not unblock county-blocked) URLs on your proxy / ISA server if you've got one.

[tom_newton]

Happy for you to try out our Guardian software. Drop me a PM/mail/call if you want to give it an eval.

[ltunstall]

No we dont have direct access to filter sites, we have to put a request in to the company thats works for the lea in order to get sites blocked! they every now and again when they slip up they allow access to everything.

 

we are having trouble as all kids are using msdn knolwledge base as a chat sites and LEA wont block microsoft.com so we want to have our own filtering sytem

 

we have a isa server but its runs the backup line not the main line!!

 

so hows the best way to filter these sites!

[Edu-IT]

we are having trouble as all kids are using msdn knolwledge base as a chat sites and LEA wont block microsoft.com so we want to have our own filtering sytem

You can't blame them for not wanting to block the microsoft.com domain can you? For starters I think that it would prevent schools from downloading Windows updates, then there's the fact that people wouldn't be able to access knowledge base articles.