How can I restrict user internet access?

[mycarsavw]

My old router (BT2700HGV) had built in Access Controls which I could tweak from its setup pages.

My new router (exactly the same unit with a pointless firmware revision) no longer has these built in controls.

What, if anything, can I use, from my desktop to restrict their access to certain sites.

If it helps there are four users (I'm one of them) all on XP Pro SP2 and all connected via Cat5 cable to the same aforementioned router.

I have oodles of old PC parts laying about and understand from my searches that I can build a smooth/m0n0wall box but have no idea if a) this is what is needed or b) if I know what I'm doing.

Any ideas?

[Metier9]

nothing from your desktop as XP that i can think of. Unless you set that everyone gets their net connection from you and alot of fiddling

[mycarsavw]

Thanks, is there anything I can I add in, but access and control from my desktop?

[MadduckUK]

have you tried looking for older firmware to flash it with?

[Metier9]

you could set up the browser each person uses, but thats an awful long way about it...

[Vroomparrot]

There is commercial software like netnanny. Or, doing a quick search on sourceforge I came across this: http://foxy.sourceforge.net/ - I have no idea if it is any good, but it may be worth a look.

The free version of smoothwall will not include any web content filtering, it will only act as a hardware firewall. I'm not that familiar with monowall but taking a quick look at their website I have a feeling it will be similar to smoothwall.

If you're feeling really brave then install linux on an old box and use an excellent piece of software called Dansguardian along with some sort of web proxy like squid or tinyproxy. This would require a fair amount of research and configuration.

[mycarsavw]

have you tried looking for older firmware to flash it with?

Now that's a good idea, can't believe I forgot that.

Next question is, obviously, does anyone else have this router and could they tell me what version of firmware still uses Access Controls.

Should I start a new thread?

[mycarsavw]

Bumping up an old thread.

I now have the latest version of firmware installed and Controls are back.

Is there any way to log visited sites or see live data on what a user is accessing at any one time from a machine other than the one they are user (ie mine)?

I suspect not, but it's worth an ask.