XP Pro and Internet Explorer

[savvy]

Greetings,

Is there a way to block internet access per user account?

[wjstarck]

What user account, OD's or Window's?

Please provide more specifics...

[savvy]

Windows.....
I'd like to block access of one user to internet.

[wjstarck]

Well, Hotmail has a the Family Internet Controls that will allow you to do just that. They work really well

We use them at home for the kids although the constant granting for permission for this or that can get extremely annoying for the administrator.

[KCalla]

I'm interested in the same question. I do not want the option of internet access from any operatory computers. Thanks for any info.

[savvy]

Please forgive the dumb question, but.........
Once one gets to Hotmail, aren't they already on the internet?

I have 10 workstations. Each connected to a switch, that in turn is also connected to my DSL router.
Each workstation can be accessed by User A, User B and User C.
Ideally, I'd like to limit internet access to User A.
I also use Renaisannce Claims.
It is my understanding that a direct connection via the DSL to Ren. for claim processing is different than accessing internet sites.
I would still like User B and C to access Renaisance.

I suppose the most simple question is, Can I password protect Internet Explorer and/or Firefox?

Cheers!!

[gdc30512]

This question sounds like a question for your IT people, rather than OD. Limiting access on the internet can be done by various ways and the person who set up your network should be able to do that for you. OD is just an application sitting on your desktop, just like Internet Explorer. Internet access issues should be addressed by your IT at the network level.

I'm no IT expert but I know limiting internet access has little to do with the OD software itself.

Hope this helps.

GDC

[savvy]

GDC,
Thanks for your insight, but no, it doesn't help.
As it turns out, I am the IT guy, as well as the plumber, electrician, painter and occaisional dentist.
And actually, it has everything to do with OD. For if I didn't have OD, I would not have 10 workstations, I'd only have one, and therefore no internet access issue.
However, I have been asked from time to time to "get off the internet!," 'cept that is usually at home.

I proposed the question on this forum because, frankly, it appears there are pretty computer savvy chaps that hang out here.
Albeit a bit lean currently.

Cheers!!

[wjstarck]

Please forgive the dumb question, but.........
Once one gets to Hotmail, aren't they already on the internet?
Cheers!!

Yeah, but it doesn't matter, because you set up parental controls through there, and it's linked to Internet Explorer, and believe me, it blocks the living **** out of every account to web pages unless you explicity give that user access to it. This can get to be a bit of a pain in the keister (I've done it at home) but in the end it works well. I'll check tonight and see if it'll block other browsers. I'm fairly certain that everyone will need a hotmail account in order for it to work, I'll see if I can check that out as well tonight. I'm also fairly certain that you can control who they can contact with their hotmail account so you just don't add anyone to their list.

It might be a nice idea to stick a firewall in front of your router if you don't have one already because a lot of those will actually allow you to block access to sites such as yahoo and the like. I wouldn't go too crazy, Netgear has some fairly decent ones at a good price and they'll do the job. There are literally zillions of them on eBay you can get for a song.

And, don't worry, I'm the IT guy, programmer, network technician, plumber, carpenter, and all around jack of all trades around here as well lol

[Justin Shafer]

I use a service called OpenDNS but it doesnt work per user, though you could get it too by assigning dns servers at the user login through a script.

You could also use a firefox addon that blocks websites.. I think its called PublicFox.

Could use a SquidProxy or some sort.. Dont recommend it though. Bill Starck could pull it off but not many docs can. =)

[wjstarck]

I checked at home last night and the Hotmail family controls *did* block access to Firefox as well...

HTH,

[Justin Shafer]

Forgot to mention that OpenDNS is free. =) You have toreplace your isp dns server for their dns server. They have a fast dns server. Then you install some software on one of your pc's so they know your network. Then you can setup rules for people who use the dns server. Also, you can use their dns server for free, no matter what. 222.222.208.67.

http://www.opendns.com/

They were also involved with some big names awhile back patching a huge exploit in bind that could cause the whole internet to get hacked\go down. The problem was patching it fast enough on as many dns servers as possible, without alerting anybody.

[Mifa]

A few years ago, I looked at a (free) software called Untangle. You may want to check their website (untangle.com), they have several modules, including one for web filtering on a per user base, apparently.

[mbansal]

Hi Everyone,
One quick way to "disable" the internet from a certain user is to the Internet Options Feature, click on Connections, and then LAN Settings. Set up a proxy server, with any server number (10.10.10.10). Obviously this server doesn't exist, and thus will DISABLE your internet for that user profile. Most employees at dental offices are not savvy enough to figure out that this is the problem with the internet connection. And the good thing is that its completely reversible if you should internet for youself (i.e. updating software, etc.).


Thanks.


Maneesh Bansal

[savvy]

Doesthat disable direct connections as well?
For example, sending claims to a clearinghouse (Renaisance).

Thanks

[mbansal]

Well,
If you keep two different user profiles (login ID), then it should be fine. One is the universal logon, with a simple name and password and disabled Internet, and one for you and other senior staff who has access to internet. When you send to Renaissance or whatever, you just have to login as one of the administrator users.

[savvy]

Great.
Thanks!

[Nate]

Well did it work?

[savvy]

Haven't tried yet.
Why don't you do it?