Restrict Internet to one site
Q. I am a manager who works with University and College
Food Services, and would like to set up our Web site in the dining halls for
students to use. However, I would like to lock out all "surfing"
other than our nutritional site. Can you help?
A. Sure, but keep in mind that many college students ar=
e so
computer savvy. It may only be a matter of time before someone discovers a
workaround.
Now then, the quickest way to restrict travels on the Internet is through
Internet Explorer's built-in Content Advisor. Content Advisor uses a rating
system to block or allow Web sites. It's meant as an Internet filter for
parents. But it can serve on a school or company computer just as well.
If you do use this option, you should remove any other browsers on the
computer. And in addition, set the computer up for use with a Windows Guest
Account. This way, no one will be able to download and install new programs=
. I
have several tips about how to do this on my Web site. Just use the search =
area
at www.komando.com=
to read
through them.
Sign on to the computer as the Administrator. Before you start Internet
Explorer’s Content Advisor, you'll need to create a special text file.
The file will configure Content Advisor to block all Web sites. Then you'll
make one exception for your site. It’s not hard to do.
Start with Notepad. To open it, click Start>>A=
ll
Programs>>Accessories>>Notepad. Then copy and paste the
following:
((PICS-version 1.0)
(rating-system "http://www.microsoft.com")
(rating-service "http://www.microsoft.com")(name "Noaccess")
(description "This will block all sites.")
(<=
span
class=3DGramE>category
(transmit-as "m")
(name "Yes")
(l=
abel
(name "Level 0: No Setting")
(description "No Setting")
(value 0) )
(label=
(name "Level 1: No Setting")
(description "No Setting")
(value 1) ) ))
After pasting in the text, click File>>Save As. Under "Save i=
n:," select the C: drive. Select the Windows folde=
r.
Then select the System32 folder. That's where you'll be saving the new file=
.
Under "Save as type," select All Files. Un=
der
"File name," type in the name "noaccess.rat" (without t=
he
quotes). Finally, click Save.
Now you can start Content Advisor. From Internet Explorer, click
Tools>>Internet Options. Select the Content tab. Under Content Adviso=
r,
click Enable. Select the Approved Sites tab.
Type in the Web address of your site. Windows
understands wildcards (*). So you don't have to specify each page of your s=
ite.
For example, instead of http://news.yahoo.com, enter *yahoo.com. After typi=
ng
in the address, click Always. Now your site is listed as the only approved
site.
Next, create a password for Content Advisor. Otherwise, someone might
disable it and start surfing away on the Internet. Select the General tab. =
In
Content Advisor, select the General tab. Under "Supervisor password,&q=
uot;
click Create Password.
You can type in a password and a password hint. The hint can help if you
forget your password later. And it's a good idea. Without the password, you
won't be able to access Content Advisor without some creative measures. When
you finish, click OK.
Under "Ratings systems," click the Rating Systems button. Sele=
ct
any items listed and click Remove. Then click Add and pick the noaccess.rat
file that you made earlier. Then click OK. You'll be at the General tab aga=
in.
Finally, make sure that the checkboxes under "User options" are
not marked. Then click OK.
Now you can test the new settings. Try your Web site to make sure it wor=
ks.
Then try going to other sites. Internet Explorer will display a warning that
other sites are not allowed.