ANyone know of a free alternative to a websense server, specifically to filter/block outgoing internet traffic on my network. Needs to work in conjunction with a netscreen appliance .

try again...

What's a websense server?

But if you want to filter/block net traffic (out or in), netfilter (or iptables) is included with most newer linux distros.

Websense blocks websites based on a database of sites classified by type. Websense has harsh categorisations and often blocks incorrectly. If you were to try to open a porn site, for instance, the page wouldn't open and a message appears telling you that Websense has blocked access to the page.

Ah censorware...

Couldn't you use squid for this? (Squidguard seems to come to mind...but I've never used Squid so I wouldn't know)

Censorware!!!!!! That's the word I was looking for. Damn this ....broken wordy, book thing!!

Just a note about Websence.

We have it at work.
It is effective for the average worker. All I have to do is do a "remote desktop connection" to a windowz XP pc at home and you have complete unrestricted access to the internet and they don't know the sites you visit.
So things are not always as secure as you might think.
Wait. Does XP actually have a use in this world??????


If my boss is reading this I don't do it. I would never do it. I forgot how to do it.

Peace out!

yeah, im aware of all the workarounds and such, but the issue is that our firewall appliance is set to use websense, nice little corporate partnership, and i would like a free alternation rather than building my firewall and using another program, Ie; squid. So, rather than the ah yes, censorware banter (i dont have a choice) , anyone have an idea of a program that emulates this for the purpose of firewalls and other such appliances, cache, etc. I'm just trying to save some money and time. Thanks in advance....

I don't think there is such a thing as Free-Censorware. The closest thing I can find is Aaron's Censorware As the page says, it only filters out Microsoft but can be edited to be expanded.

The problem with asking for a free version is that keeping censorware up to date is a big, time consuming job. You will have to start off by populating the database. Do you have the time to fill out potentially millions of entries? And categorise them?

I know there are tons of lists of explicit sites and such. My concern is not that it does in fact filter out those sites, but in fact alows us to filter sites that employees complian about. Ie: a misdirected URL leading to porn. I dont work for a huge business, so there isnt a lot of money to be saved by censoring, more of a service to our empoyees and a by letting them know it is in place, they will be less likely to try to visit those sites. My Org. is not full of a lot of computer saavy people and they are all kinda paranoid about big brother, even though I personally dont care. I'm Just fufilling a mandate passed down. Once again, thanks to everyone for your continuing help.

Have a look at this

Post 6 on the page may be something you can use.