Proxy server?

[imipenem]

I've done a little research on proxy servers. I have a home network (ISP Comcast Cable) that consists of a Linksys RVS4000, Win2003 server, and 4 XP pro PCs. I need a strong content filter.

I've read (briefly) about OpenBSD, IPCop, Smoothwall, etc...

Any recommendations? How difficult are proxy servers to configure? How is the content filter managed and where are blacklists obtained?

Thanks in advance...

 

[Markbnj]

I use squid running on a Debian box for the same purpose. In the past I have used ccproxy for Windows, but it is not as powerful as squid + squidGuard. You can obtain black lists for squidGuard from a couple of sources. I have a script set up to download and install a blacklist update nightly. It's overkill, honestly, for a home network but it was one of my "learn scripting" projects.

The url of the blacklist tarball is http://squidguard.mesd.k12.or.us/blacklists.tgz. It is updated once per day. If you would like a copy of the script that performs the update let me know, and I will send it.

 

[RadiclDreamer]

Squidguard is a great free product, but it does require you to learn a bit and maintain blacklists as well as have another pc running all the time to run it. I've used it in many instances You could also try opendns. All you do is point your dns servers to them and they will filter for you and even provide some nice reporting all free and easy to configure