Limiting Internet Access

[Guest]

I have restarted this post because I got responses that wouldn't fit. I
don't need parenting books and I can't pull the network plug because they can
just plug it back in.

I'd like to limit internet access on certain users from 9:00 PM to 6:00 PM
without purchasing software. Is there an xp policy setting that I can
setup.

If there isn't can I stop access for the computer as a whole between those
hours.

I have used the toolkit, but it is an either or - either they can access the
internet or they cannot.

This is a work environment. We have a computer usage policy and we do track
usage, but for the night shift in this environment the temptation is just too
great and people are accessing the internet inappropriately. They don't need
the internet for work and at these remote locations they are not on a domain
so I can't set up restrictions that way. It is one or two computers on a
workgroup at about 5 locations.

I'd like to limit internet access on certain users from 9:00 PM to 6:00 PM
without purchasing software. Is there an xp policy setting that I can
setup.

If there isn't can I stop access for the computer as a whole between those
hours.

I have used the toolkit, but it is an either or - either they can access the
internet or they cannot.

 

[Maincat]

I have restarted this post because I got responses that wouldn't fit. I
don't need parenting books and I can't pull the network plug because they
can
just plug it back in.

I'd like to limit internet access on certain users from 9:00 PM to 6:00 PM
without purchasing software. Is there an xp policy setting that I can
setup.

If there isn't can I stop access for the computer as a whole between those
hours.

I have used the toolkit, but it is an either or - either they can access
the
internet or they cannot.

This is a work environment. We have a computer usage policy and we do
track
usage, but for the night shift in this environment the temptation is just
too
great and people are accessing the internet inappropriately. They don't
need
the internet for work and at these remote locations they are not on a
domain
so I can't set up restrictions that way. It is one or two computers on a
workgroup at about 5 locations.

I'd like to limit internet access on certain users from 9:00 PM to 6:00 PM
without purchasing software. Is there an xp policy setting that I can
setup.

If there isn't can I stop access for the computer as a whole between those
hours.

I have used the toolkit, but it is an either or - either they can access
the
internet or they cannot.

Have you explored log on hours settings for each user?

 

[Evan Platt]

I have restarted this post because I got responses that wouldn't fit. I
don't need parenting books and I can't pull the network plug because they can
just plug it back in.

I'd like to limit internet access on certain users from 9:00 PM to 6:00 PM
without purchasing software. Is there an xp policy setting that I can
setup.

If there isn't can I stop access for the computer as a whole between those
hours.

I have used the toolkit, but it is an either or - either they can access the
internet or they cannot.

This is a work environment. We have a computer usage policy and we do track
usage, but for the night shift in this environment the temptation is just too
great and people are accessing the internet inappropriately. They don't need
the internet for work and at these remote locations they are not on a domain
so I can't set up restrictions that way. It is one or two computers on a
workgroup at about 5 locations.

I'd like to limit internet access on certain users from 9:00 PM to 6:00 PM
without purchasing software. Is there an xp policy setting that I can
setup.

If there isn't can I stop access for the computer as a whole between those
hours.

I have used the toolkit, but it is an either or - either they can access the
internet or they cannot.

General nettiquite is to reply / follow up to your original thread,
not create a new thread.

Having said that, if this is a work environment, if you already have a
way of tracking usage, then create a company policy of no internet at
night. If they violate the policy, they get written up. Twice, maybe
suspended for a few days. Third time, fired.

Let's be honest. If these people disobey this simple policy, what
other policies are they disobeying?

 

[Guest]

I don't want to get into debates on policy or how to hire the correct person.
The response I got on my last thread were and I quote "get a book on
parenting" and "pull the network plug". They are not helpful and I thought
inappropriate.

I want to keep the computer available so that they can type reports, print,
etc. but I want to limit the access to the internet between those hours. If
there is a way to do that through XP for certain users in the setup I have,
that is the answer I am looking for.

Maincat says have I explored the logon hours for the user. I don't believe
that this will work because I want them to be able to login so that they can
document incidents, etc. But I don't want them to access the internet.

 

[gordon]

I don't want to get into debates on policy or how to hire the correct
person.
The response I got on my last thread were and I quote "get a book on
parenting" and "pull the network plug". They are not helpful and I
thought
inappropriate.

I want to keep the computer available so that they can type reports,
print,
etc. but I want to limit the access to the internet between those hours.
If
there is a way to do that through XP for certain users in the setup I
have,
that is the answer I am looking for.

Maincat says have I explored the logon hours for the user. I don't
believe
that this will work because I want them to be able to login so that they
can
document incidents, etc. But I don't want them to access the internet.

As it's a work environment, presumably you are using XP Pro? if so just deny
those users access to internet explorer, and prevent them (presumably that's
there already) from installing any other browser....

 

[Guest]

Gordon, Thanks, but the problem with that is we have multiple people coming
in on one signon. During the day they are pretty responsible, but the
night-time staff is not always as professional and that is why we want to
take the temptation away. Better choice would be discontinue internet access
between those hours, if I can. I know that I can do this on a domain for a
specific user, but don't know if it is possible to do that on a computer that
is only on a workgroup. Dave

 

[Guest]

Sorry, it is XP Pro too.

As it's a work environment, presumably you are using XP Pro? if so just deny
those users access to internet explorer, and prevent them (presumably that's
there already) from installing any other browser....

 

[Seahawk60B]

Sorry, it is XP Pro too.

How about a script that changes the default gateway of the ip
address. Even if you're using DHCP, write a script that changes to a
static configuration with a dummy gateway. Schedule the script to run
at 9 PM. Then have a second script that will revert the changes back
to the daytime configuration and schedule that accordingly.

 

[Lem]

I have restarted this post because I got responses that wouldn't fit. I
don't need parenting books and I can't pull the network plug because they can
just plug it back in.

I'd like to limit internet access on certain users from 9:00 PM to 6:00 PM
without purchasing software. Is there an xp policy setting that I can
setup.

If there isn't can I stop access for the computer as a whole between those
hours.

I have used the toolkit, but it is an either or - either they can access the
internet or they cannot.

This is a work environment. We have a computer usage policy and we do track
usage, but for the night shift in this environment the temptation is just too
great and people are accessing the internet inappropriately. They don't need
the internet for work and at these remote locations they are not on a domain
so I can't set up restrictions that way. It is one or two computers on a
workgroup at about 5 locations.

I'd like to limit internet access on certain users from 9:00 PM to 6:00 PM
without purchasing software. Is there an xp policy setting that I can
setup.

If there isn't can I stop access for the computer as a whole between those
hours.

I have used the toolkit, but it is an either or - either they can access the
internet or they cannot.

How are the computers connected to the Internet? Linksys "entry level"
or SOHO routers usually have the ability to limit access by individual
clients on a timed schedule, either to the Internet as a whole, or to
specified sites, and I would expect corporate-strength routers, such as
Cisco, to have similar capabilities.

Your answer most likely lies in your network management or proxy server
-- not in settings in individual computers -- especially if you want
your users to be able to access local network resources, such as
printers, while being unable to access remote (Internet) sites.

 

[Poprivet]

I have restarted this post because I got responses that wouldn't fit.
I don't need parenting books and I can't pull the network plug
because they can just plug it back in.

I'd like to limit internet access on certain users from 9:00 PM to
6:00 PM without purchasing software. Is there an xp policy setting
that I can setup.

If there isn't can I stop access for the computer as a whole between
those hours.

I have used the toolkit, but it is an either or - either they can
access the internet or they cannot.

This is a work environment. We have a computer usage policy and we
do track usage, but for the night shift in this environment the
temptation is just too great and people are accessing the internet
inappropriately. They don't need the internet for work and at these
remote locations they are not on a domain so I can't set up
restrictions that way. It is one or two computers on a workgroup at
about 5 locations.

I'd like to limit internet access on certain users from 9:00 PM to
6:00 PM without purchasing software. Is there an xp policy setting
that I can setup.

If there isn't can I stop access for the computer as a whole between
those hours.

I have used the toolkit, but it is an either or - either they can
access the internet or they cannot.

 

[Poprivet]

I have restarted this post because I got responses that wouldn't fit. ....

I'd like to limit internet access on certain users from 9:00 PM to
6:00 PM without purchasing software. Is there an xp policy setting
that I can setup.

I -thought- there was, but darned if I can find it now!
One thing you've left out is how savvy the users are and whether any of them
can/will work to get around anything you do. How secure does the fix need
to be?
And how savy are you? It's hard to respond to some things when you have
no idea who your audience is.

If there isn't can I stop access for the computer as a whole between
those hours.

I have used the toolkit, but it is an either or - either they can
access the internet or they cannot.

I dislike that toolkit for a lot of reasons, the worst of which is the
partition manipulation it requires and how hard it is to remove if you're
not careful to follow procedures carefully.

This is a work environment. ...

Here's my take on it, for the moment at least.
1. There ARE 3rd party tools to do things like that, but I dislike them and
only consider them as a last resort.

2. The best I can think of at the moment is a couple small, simple batch
files and the Task Scheduler.

Write one batch to rename iexplore.exe (or a dll or whatever you think
would fit the expertise or lack thereof of the personell on the machines).
Rename it such that it wouldn't jump out at you, but you personally know
what/where it is. Perhaps something as simple as making ie eiexplorer.exe;
whatever.
Write another to rename it back to its original, correct name.

TEST to be certain cold starts and restarts don't fail and stop something
else from working during the boot. Especially you don't want it creating
error messages.

Then just use Task Scheduler to run the appropriate batch files at the right
times.

If a user happened to be online when the batch file wanted to run, you might
have to do something to kick him off, like give him a message that the
machine will Restart in x minutes, whatever. Use XP's shutdown.exe located,
I think, in the windows/system32 folder. Type shutdown /? at a Command
Prompt to see its switches.

If you want to look at a 3rd party app, try looking up wizmo.exe. It's a
very capable app and one of the few I allow on my system besides RemoteKeys.

HTH
Pop`

 

[Guest]

If you're looking NOT to spend money, you might want to check out AOL, that
provides Parental Control software free of charge if you set up a "free" AOL
mailbox.

I control my kids PC's with it, and it emails the administrator, i.e. me,
the email activity of the kids, when they logged on, sites they go into etc.,
and I can selectively allow sites to be visited. I believe I can set time
restrictions, though I don't use it, since we keep an ey on the kids when
they go on.

 

[Guest]

If you're looking NOT to spend money, you might want to check out AOL, that
provides Parental Control software free of charge if you set up a "free" AOL
mailbox.

I control my kids PC's with it, and it emails the administrator, i.e. me,
the email activity of the kids, when they logged on, sites they go into etc.,
and I can selectively allow sites to be visited. I believe I can set time
restrictions, though I don't use it, since we keep an ey on the kids when
they go on.