Using Squid to filter Internet access
Content Control
Kurt describes how to use Squid's ACLs and ICAP when you want to limit Internet access, for whatever reason.
The last time I talked about Squid [1], I looked at using Squid [2] to intercept HTTPS sessions, which has become both more necessary (Wikipedia, for example, redirects all logged-in users to HTTPS) and more difficult (because sites like Google don't want HTTPS connections to be intercepted).
I did not, however, actually talk about the filtering aspects of Squid [3], and this has suddenly become a very important topic to me. My kids are getting older and will soon be using the Internet to surf the web, play games, Skype with relatives, and so forth. That means I want to give them access to cool sites, but I also really don't want to give them unfettered access to the Internet. Even with supervision, I don't trust all the third-party ads and junk served off many popular websites.
So, I'm going to assume you have Squid set up and running, either as a transparent intercepting proxy or for devices configured to use it. Squid provides two main mechanisms for controlling content: The first is internal ACLs you can configure, and the second is ICAP.
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
US / Canada
UK / Australia
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
-
openSUSE Joins End of 10
openSUSE has decided to not only join the End of 10 movement but it also will no longer support the Deepin Desktop Environment.
-
New Version of Flatpak Released
Flatpak 1.16.1 is now available as the latest, stable version with various improvements.
-
IBM Announces Powerhouse Linux Server
IBM has unleashed a seriously powerful Linux server with the LinuxONE Emperor 5.
-
Plasma Ends LTS Releases
The KDE Plasma development team is doing away with the LTS releases for a good reason.
-
Arch Linux Available for Windows Subsystem for Linux
If you've ever wanted to use a rolling release distribution with WSL, now's your chance.
-
System76 Releases COSMIC Alpha 7
With scores of bug fixes and a really cool workspaces feature, COSMIC is looking to soon migrate from alpha to beta.
-
OpenMandriva Lx 6.0 Available for Installation
The latest release of OpenMandriva has arrived with a new kernel, an updated Plasma desktop, and a server edition.
-
TrueNAS 25.04 Arrives with Thousands of Changes
One of the most popular Linux-based NAS solutions has rolled out the latest edition, based on Ubuntu 25.04.
-
Fedora 42 Available with Two New Spins
The latest release from the Fedora Project includes the usual updates, a new kernel, an official KDE Plasma spin, and a new System76 spin.
-
So Long, ArcoLinux
The ArcoLinux distribution is the latest Linux distribution to shut down.