Recommendations on family filter?

[Joshua05]

I would like to setup some sort of filtering system at the router level for my home that's not overly bloated and is geared a bit more toward the technical. I don't mind cost as much as I do a thorough implementation. It would simply filter out adult content. Any recommendations?

 

[JackMDS]

The Linksys E4200 v2 has one.

This is the way it looks - http://www6.nohold.net/Cisco2/ukp.aspx?pid=8&vw=1&articleid=21458

 

[cmetz]

Joshua05, take a look at the OpenDNS filter offerring.

None of the filters work very well. None of them are any match for a determined kid. So do what's quick, inexpensive, and easy - more money and headache is not really buying you much better.

Putting the computer(s) in visible places (family room / living room) is a good low-tech deterrent.

 

[skyking]

I set up several dansguardian servers a few years back, it does a decent job of filtering. The box sits behind the router and has it's own DHCP implementation.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Joshua05, take a look at the OpenDNS filter offering.

I second this mainly because it's free and works really well. Just be sure to set it up correctly, and use the OpenDNS Updater for dynamic IP address changes. You can even whitelist/blacklist sites as needed and view logs of which sites were blocked and visited.

 

[Joshua05]

I can set openDNS at the router level... that sounds great. Is there a way to prevent access even if local machines change their DNS?

 

[AnonymouseUser]

I can set openDNS at the router level... that sounds great. Is there a way to prevent access even if local machines change their DNS?

Probably the best way to do this is to block as many free DNS servers as possible at the router. Google is your friend, but this is a good place to start.

EDIT>> Obviously, don't block OpenDNS..

 

[kornphlake]

I set up several dansguardian servers a few years back, it does a decent job of filtering. The box sits behind the router and has it's own DHCP implementation.

I've been using dansguardian as well, but it's not very easy to configure, and you'll need to have a dedicated pc running the software. It is a pretty powerful tool and does an admirable job of filtering once it's up and running, and it's pretty difficult to circumvent.

I'm no 14 year old kid, but the only way I've found to get around it is to connect to a remote server through a VPN, I can block VPN connections easily enough if that were a problem. Maybe I'll have to ask my 12 year old nephew how he gets around the filter next time he comes to visit.

 

[Joshua05]

I've registered with a premium account on OpenDNS ($20/yr) and have set it up with with DD-WRT on my linksys e3000 following this guide:

http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/OpenDNS

I went with Option 2 of the guide, which provides a DNSMasq. Also, I added the Intercept DNS Port rule a bit further down. This overrides all LAN users' personal DNS settings.

After doing some testing and tweaking filters on OpenDNS and DD-WRT, I found that there is no good solution for Google Images (safe search off)... as all Google's traffic is over https now. At some point I'll get around to checking out dansguardian... perhaps it could solve this problem.

Ultimately, the logging feature of OpenDNS is my favorite part. I believe this promotes the opportunity for "meaningful conversations" if and when workarounds are found.