New to Linux trying to Setup a way to Block websites
 

I am new to Linux I just installed Linux on My home Server. I am Trying to setup a way to block certain sites for my kids. I have heard a proxy server. IF that is the way to go can some one point me in the right direction in how to set up and configure a proxy server I have Linux SUSE 11. Anything you can do to help would be appreciated.

Welcome to LQ!

Look at the bottom of this page, there are four similar threads to begin with.

Squid is very powerful proxy server this should fit your needs.

What you would want to do is create an access group (with the sites you want to block) and then explicitly deny it. The Squid documentation in the configuration file is a great reference.

One of many guides you might follow:

http://www.brennan.id.au/11-Squid_Web_Proxy.html
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/8...g-squid-server

You will need to manually configure their web browser to use your proxy.

Your router might support content filtering, which would be a more direct way.

Hello and welcome to LQ.

I might be tempted to run a virtual machine on it. Then install untangle linux and use it. You'd point all your traffic to the virtual machine. A smart kid could figure it out.


Might see if something like this would work. https://www.opendns.com/about/press-...s-safe-online/

If it's specific sites, you can use entires in /etc/hosts to make www.badsite.com resolve to 127.0.0.1

Maybe http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.htm

I do like hosts files a lot as jnojr mentions. They have been changed to point to 0.0.0.0 and don't forget about ipv6 issues. Some sneaky hackers put a server on 127.0.0.1 so it isn't as good as it used to be.

nathanraymond3, if you want to block sites for the entire system, then blocking them via /etc/hosts is a simple and effective solution.

there's even some utilities to help you set it up & maintain it, e.g. hostsblock.

just don't give your kids your root password :-)

check out links below:

http://www.linuxhomenetworking.com/w...d#.VsFA1bR96M8

http://broexperts.com/2014/12/block-...n-squid-proxy/

it's good to block website via hosts, but it would be better to block sites via keyword and put in the keywords you think might not be good for kids.

and other way is to restrict the hours, let' say from 8pm to 8am no internet access. Military Law, no matter how cute they are don't be lure with their cuteness.. LOL.. if you can resist it. :)

Cheers..

One-half the time give them access to only one browser then setup a whitelist but be extensive and make links to each site.

The other-half the time should be full access with "parental" commentary, LIVE! ;)

Privoxy does exactly what you want but it does require some thinkering.

privoxy.org

I like the idea of a whitelist too. If you can download one or just make it yourself. Some pages like google might allow one to bypass dns and whitelists.

Blocking sites may work for young kids. But, at age 12 and up, they can find ways around it.

DansGuardian?
http://dansguardian.org/?page=whatisdg

maybe a pfsense firewall box?

https://www.pfsense.org/products/