How to Filter Content on a HotSpot

Thanks for all the replies on how to setup a limited access HotSpot. I
think I know what direction I am going with all the great help I got here.
Now for the next problem...

How can I filter internet content on my wireless HotSpot? Basically I don't
want somebody sitting in my store downloading porn while a family is sitting
behind them. I don't really want to be known as the place that starts the
"mommy, what's that" conversations. :-)

I am confused as to how to set this up, since the Access Point, Router, and
Switch will all be in one box, and the point of entry for the wireless
hotspot will be physically in the same box as the router. Seems like I
would need some sort of proxy server, or something.

It also looks like there are some external yearly subscription services
available to have the filtering done off site.

Any comments on a good way to set up content filtering?

Thanks,

Phillip

Phillip T. Murphy wrote:

> Thanks for all the replies on how to setup a limited access HotSpot. I
> think I know what direction I am going with all the great help I got here.
> Now for the next problem...
>
> How can I filter internet content on my wireless HotSpot? Basically I don't
> want somebody sitting in my store downloading porn while a family is sitting
> behind them. I don't really want to be known as the place that starts the
> "mommy, what's that" conversations. :-)
>
> I am confused as to how to set this up, since the Access Point, Router, and
> Switch will all be in one box, and the point of entry for the wireless
> hotspot will be physically in the same box as the router. Seems like I
> would need some sort of proxy server, or something.
>
> It also looks like there are some external yearly subscription services
> available to have the filtering done off site.
>
> Any comments on a good way to set up content filtering?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Phillip
>
>
One possible solution, although it may be hard to implement completely,
is to use URL blocking or domain blocking.
For URL blocking, on my router (DLink), you can give keywords that, if
contained in a URL, will prevent the URL from being accessible. So if
you use "sex" as a keyword, www.sextoys.com would be inaccessible.
This may prevent some legitimate sites from being viewed and might also
be hard to catch all of the ones you want to screen.
Domain blocking means you give the actual domain name of sites you want
to give access to or prevent access to.

> > How can I filter internet content on my wireless HotSpot? Basically I don't
> > want somebody sitting in my store downloading porn while a family is sitting
> > behind them. I don't really want to be known as the place that starts the
> > "mommy, what's that" conversations. :-)

Philip, I don't know if you're going for the one box solution that I
replied to you about, but if I recall, it also offers URL blocking and
keyword blocking.

David.

"David Taylor" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> > > How can I filter internet content on my wireless HotSpot? Basically I
don't
> > > want somebody sitting in my store downloading porn while a family is
sitting
> > > behind them. I don't really want to be known as the place that starts
the
> > > "mommy, what's that" conversations. :-)
>
> Philip, I don't know if you're going for the one box solution that I
> replied to you about, but if I recall, it also offers URL blocking and
> keyword blocking.
>
> David.

David,

Yes, I am planning on the one-box solution. It just seems to convenient and
easy, with less overhead and support. I was having a hard time getting much
information on Pheenet, but it appears that ZyXel offers the same equipment
in the US re-branded.

I could not find an answer as to whether the ZyXel and the Pheenet offered
content filtering either by domain or key word. I hope they do, because
then I could get this started for fairly cheap.

Your help has been greatly appreciated!

Thanks again,

Phillip

Phillip, I think this is what you want: www.jpelectron.com/dnsredir.htm

This software was built just for that reason!

"Phillip T. Murphy" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:FEO8b.2026$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Thanks for all the replies on how to setup a limited access HotSpot. I
> think I know what direction I am going with all the great help I got here.
> Now for the next problem...
>
> How can I filter internet content on my wireless HotSpot? Basically I
don't
> want somebody sitting in my store downloading porn while a family is
sitting
> behind them. I don't really want to be known as the place that starts the
> "mommy, what's that" conversations. :-)
>
> I am confused as to how to set this up, since the Access Point, Router,
and
> Switch will all be in one box, and the point of entry for the wireless
> hotspot will be physically in the same box as the router. Seems like I
> would need some sort of proxy server, or something.
>
> It also looks like there are some external yearly subscription services
> available to have the filtering done off site.
>
> Any comments on a good way to set up content filtering?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Phillip
>
>

In article <bk25n4$iom$(E-Mail Removed)>, (E-Mail Removed)
says...
> Phillip, I think this is what you want: www.jpelectron.com/dnsredir.htm
>
> This software was built just for that reason!
>
> "Phillip T. Murphy" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:FEO8b.2026$(E-Mail Removed)...
> > Thanks for all the replies on how to setup a limited access HotSpot. I
> > think I know what direction I am going with all the great help I got here.
> > Now for the next problem...
> >
> > How can I filter internet content on my wireless HotSpot? Basically I
> don't
> > want somebody sitting in my store downloading porn while a family is
> sitting
> > behind them. I don't really want to be known as the place that starts the
> > "mommy, what's that" conversations. :-)
> >
> > I am confused as to how to set this up, since the Access Point, Router,
> and
> > Switch will all be in one box, and the point of entry for the wireless
> > hotspot will be physically in the same box as the router. Seems like I
> > would need some sort of proxy server, or something.

While DNS Redirector will certainly do what is required functionaly, it
is definitely not the inexpensive "one box" solution that the OP was
looking for. This solution, would require, at a minimum, a PC capable of
running Windows 200/XP/2003, a licensed copy of Windows, a licensed copy
of DNS Redirector, and the necessary networking gear.

> I could not find an answer as to whether the ZyXel and the Pheenet offered
> content filtering either by domain or key word. I hope they do, because
> then I could get this started for fairly cheap.

Ok, just checked and unfortunately there's no content filtering but...

This is a hotspot only, it isn't a DSL modem so if you couple it with a
router that does perform this then you should have some basic filtering
built in.

David.

In article <FEO8b.2026$(E-Mail Removed)>,
"Phillip T. Murphy" <(E-Mail Removed)> says:

>How can I filter internet content on my wireless HotSpot? Basically I don't
>want somebody sitting in my store downloading porn while a family is sitting
>behind them. I don't really want to be known as the place that starts the
>"mommy, what's that" conversations. :-)

Well, there's plenty of HotSpots out there, and none of the many ones
I've been to do any filtering, and I know they're unrestricted. People
tend to do a good job of policing themselves. I've looked at "racy" content
at times, but I do it when nobody can see it.

>Any comments on a good way to set up content filtering?

I don't think you should. Besides, doesn't that make you responsible, should
someone use your HotSpot for SPAM mail, etc., as you're not a "common carrier"
(but I am not a lawyer).

Not only that, many people (like me) use private VPN (or VPN-like services)
to proxy their content so as not to be spied on by people sniffing the Hot
Spot; not only can you not filter my content, but you don't even know what
I'm visiting.

(A part of me suspects a hidden agenda; are you just trying to make sure
nobody looks at any pr0n on your wire in some sort of "family values" thing?)

-Kenny

--
Kenneth R. Crudup Sr. SW Engineer, Scott County Consulting, Los Angeles, CA
Home: 3801 E. Pacific Coast Hwy #9, Long Beach, CA 90804-2014 (562) 961-7300
Work: 2052 Alton Parkway, Irvine, CA 92606-4905 (949) 252-1111 X240