Parental control/content filtering

[Azaran]

Hello all, hopping some of you might be able to help.

I?m attempting to find a good filtering software that will filter pornographic and Instant messenger software.

The computers in question are for an office that has had problems with employees downloading virus with their porn as well as chatting instead of working, despite warnings and such from management. This is in an office of about 6 computers running p2p network, no server.

So far we?ve set up a good compliment of account restrictions, anti-virus and firewall software, but I was thinking of adding something along the lines of a parental control type software so that they can?t work around the restrictions with online IM programs (meebo, aim express, etc) or by using proxy?s. I found I really liked the built in parental controls with Kaspersky?s security suite but we wanted a more secure firewall solution.

Does anyone have suggestions or a good place to start?

 

[Schadenfroh]

Hello,

These threads may be of some use:

Good Parental Control Ssftware- Vista?
parental control software....
How to anti-porn a machine
Content Filtering for Small Biz

 

[Azaran]

Great, thanks for the leads Schadenfroh

 

[tomict]

hi my offic use IPcop Firewall is Free an good feture
an easy set up in web base
wen you need i can help you setup online
thank

 

[Azaran]

One thing I did find that worked really was was Kasperskys security suite.
They have a parental control built in to it that blocked almost all chat programs (installed or web). After adjusting the blacklist (with about 3 addresses) the only IM agent I found that it couldn't block was the one that pops up when you check AOL mail. Not the normal AIM express but the one that pops up like Gmail's IM when you check your email.

As for the porn settings... not so hot. It didn't block any legitimate sites I looked for, but unless it had something alluding to the adult nature of the site in the title or URL it didn't seem to catch it. I'm not overly familiar with the ways it goes about searching for sites to block so i cant say if thats typical or not.

One thing I also liked was the fact that you could put in times when access to the internet could be blocked/allowed. Pretty easy to block IM's or Porn if the user cant even get online.

To be honest this would probably serve my needs just fine. The only reason I'm not using it is that we're looking at a better 3rd party security program than what Kaspersky offers. While the features are nice, their firewall isn't quiet up to snuff when compared to other vendors who just do firewall protection.