How do I manipulate the Windows Hosts file so that it only allows certain websites?

Question

I'm trying to restrict employee access to only the websites we approve.  I figured the best way to do that is with a simple script.  The script would be run when an operator logs in to a station, and manipulate the hosts file so that only certain sites can be reached.  In other words, if the site isn't on the list, they can't access it.  

Any ideas on how to code the hosts file to accomplish this?  Thanks!

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

That's not how the hosts file works.  If the site *is* on the list, and pointed to 127.0.0.1, the computer can't access it.  It's a blacklist, not a whitelist.

To do what you want to do, the easiest way is with a proxy server.  Something like http://whitetrash.sourceforge.net/ is a good starting point, but someone would have to add the AD (active directory) interface (to have a different whitelist based on the login of the computer accessing the internet).  That's not cheap programming.  (Maybe you could interest the author in adding it.)  It also would probably require an additional computer (unless you're already running Linux, not Windows).

My view · Answer

Try this website
http://www.opendns.com/
free, If you subscribe for a fee, you get more.  I like it a lot

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How do I manipulate the Windows Hosts file so that it only allows certain websites?

2 Answers