Filtering home Internet access with Squid
Parental Guidance
© Natascha Farber, Fotolia
Are your children wearing out their eyeballs on the Internet? Squid will help you impose some time limits and filter out inappropriate content.
Corporate networks often use the Squid proxy server to filter Internet traffic. If you are using a Linux system as your home router and firewall, you can also use Squid on a smaller scale to create access rules for your home network. A few simple commands will help you establish a schedule for Internet use and rule out sites with inappropriate content.
Getting Started
These examples assume your Linux home server is acting as a firewall and router. The Linux system will be the only computer on the home network with an Internet connection, and it will act as a proxy server, giving all the other clients access in a way that ensures nobody can work around the filter. For this reason, the router will not forward TCP ports 21 and 80, forcing the clients to access the proxy for the ftp and http protocols.
System Requirements
The information in this article is based on Squid version 2.6 [1]. Debian 4.0 and Ubuntu 8.04 users can simply type apt-get install squid to install the proxy.
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Framework Laptop 13 Pro Competes with the Best
Framework has released what might be considered the MacBook of Linux devices.
-
The Latest CachyOS Features Supercharged Kernel
The latest release of CachyOS brings with it an enhanced version of the latest Linux kernel.
-
Kernel 7.0 Is a Bit More Rusty
Linux kernel 7.0 has been released for general availability, with Rust finally getting its due.
-
France Says "Au Revoir" to Microsoft
In a move that should surprise no one, France announced plans to reduce its reliance on US technology, and Microsoft Windows is the first to get the boot.
-
CIQ Releases Compatibility Catalog for Rocky Linux
The company behind Rocky Linux is making an open catalog available to developers, hobbyists, and other contributors, so they can verify and publish compatibility with the CIQ lineup.
-
KDE Gets Some Resuscitation
KDE is bringing back two themes that vanished a few years ago, putting a bit more air under its wings.
-
Ubuntu 26.04 Beta Arrives with Some Surprises
Ubuntu 26.04 is almost here, but the beta version has been released, and it might surprise some people.
-
Ubuntu MATE Dev Leaving After 12 years
Martin Wimpress, the maintainer of Ubuntu MATE, is now searching for his successor. Are you the next in line?
-
Kali Linux Waxes Nostalgic with BackTrack Mode
For those who've used Kali Linux since its inception, the changes with the new release are sure to put a smile on your face.
-
Gnome 50 Smooths Out NVIDIA GPU Issues
Gamers rejoice, your favorite pastime just got better with Gnome 50 and NVIDIA GPUs.