The Linksys router can be set to filter Internet access for certain IP
addresses. Just use DHCP to assign a static IP to your son's machine (MAC
filter), then filter that IP to your heart's content. You can filter by port
number, with or without time parameters, or straight cut all the ports for
his IP to the WAN, all while preserving Windows / Samba file and printer
sharing on the local network. The best part is that the router doesn't care
what OS is running that instance of the TCP/IP protocol stack, it just works
regardless. There is also no way to bypass it unless your son changes his
network adapter physically, since MAC addresses are unique and burned in.

-----Original Message-----
From: Personal Computer Hardware discussion List
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Paul Jones
Sent: Sunday, February 24, 2008 7:31 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [PCBUILD] Shared internet connection


I will be getting broadband (fiber: woo hoo!) at home soon.  I am looking
for
some advice on safely sharing our internet connection with my 10-year old
son
using a pc we built together connected to a Linksys router by wire.
Currently,
he connects through CCProxy, which can be set to use a filter file.  This is
fine
on dial-up (very slow, but that's no surprise).

Thing is, when the phone company's network adapter gets here, he could
conceivably bypass the proxy.  I can keep him from changing proxy settings
if
he uses Windows, but he doesn't.  He is using Linux (ubuntu).  I do not want
to
make him go back to Windows if there is a way to control his access via some
hardware or software.

Beyond proxy solutions, there are some cases where a proxy just doesn't
work, such as Club Penguin.

I'm thinking I might be able to deny internet access in the router (DD-WRT
maybe?) by mac address or IP and only allow on a case-by-case basis.

Any help appreciated.

Paul Jones
[log in to unmask]

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