Episode #164
Hello Kate My question is about network hardware firewalls – not the retail ones at Best Buy but the more elaborate ones, Dlink DLF-210 or even Microsoft ISA server etc. Retail type routers stop inbound access fairly well, but it’s becoming more evident that the out-bound access has to be controlled as well for both personal (Children) and corporate citizens alike. As much as Steve Gibson (episode 104) reviewed (but not recommended) software firewalls I was wondering if the hardware firewalls were the answer to content filtering. I think there is a really need to have better control of what goes out as well as in. Now I know this question maybe a little out of scope of the show but it doesn’t hurt to ask. Maybe this question should really be for Steve Gibson. I have purchased and TRIED to configure some of these types of devises but it seems you need a PHD in networking to even attempt it. So to summarize it – are there any simple to configure hardware content filtering firewalls, e.g. Stop torrents, radio stations, (very distracting and time consuming in the work place) ms-messanger, youtube etc. Do you think Leo and Steve would like to address this topic on the show or have a review of these types of firewalls?
Angelo, Toronto, ON
Actually controlling what your kids do is also an inbound access issue. You can use an everyday router to block IM and P2P. Some routers also block individual sites, but you’re right you’ll need more sophisticated hardware to control everything your kids do online. Fortunately OS X Leopard and Vista both have excellent parental controls that do everything you might want. For XP, try a program like Cyberpatrol - free to try from http://cyberpatrol.com. You’ll find it much easier to use than a network appliance.