Tools to Stop Internet Traffic
At home or at the office, blocking the Internet without blocking the intranet can be done using computer software. The software can be used to block everything or block specific services or sites. When implementing an Internet blocking solution, make sure to write down what configurations you changed so you have a way to remove the changes in case of problems or if you decide you want to reverse your Internet policies in the future.
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Firewall
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A firewall is software that use rules to filter the connection of a computer or user to the Internet. The rules are used to allow or disallow a specific connection. Most commercial firewalls require specific rules to be created to allow users on the Internet. Home firewalls by default allow users to go on the Internet, so you have to create rules to explicitly prevent people from going on the Internet.
Proxy
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A proxy is a server that acts as an intermediary between the user and the server you want to connect to on the Internet. The proxy can be set up to force users to enter their credentials before connecting to the proxy and therefore the Internet. By setting up credentialing for your users to connect to your proxy, you effectively block access to the Internet to unauthorized users.
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IPsec
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IPsec is a security protocol implemented in the IP (Internet Protocol) stack. IPsec allows you to set up a policy to prevent specific protocols, such as HTTP, FTP or instant messaging. Depending on the topology of your network, such as having a domain or a home network, you are able to either set up the blocking policy on one server and propagate it to the rest of your users or you have to go on each computer to set up the IPsec.
Switch Configuration
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The switch is the network device that routes the connection from your computer to the Internet.
A switch takes the connection arriving on one port, checks its table to see where the connection should go and then sends it there. By configuring the switch to ignore the connections that go to the Internet, you can prevent anyone from accessing the Internet. You have the option to configure it for one person or for all of your computers.
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References
- Photo Credit switch image by martini from Fotolia.com
