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Aaron Kulkis wrote:<br>
<blockquote cite="mid473B4937.2080304@hotpop.com" type="cite">
<pre wrap="">Dean Durant wrote:
</pre>
<blockquote type="cite">
<pre wrap="">Hello, does anyone know of software that monitors web sites visited, and
restricts unwanted sites without beng an actual proxy? Presently we
have squid. It was a system we inherited. But I don't understand
exactly how everything works. Neither does anyone else. The new boss
says he doesn't like it. My task is to find something simpler than
squid. The new boss says we don't use the proxy features of squid, and
so don't need that. He said, "find something else." It doesn't have
to be free. Could be HW or SW. I appreciate any help anyone can
give. Thanks, Dean
</pre>
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<pre wrap=""><!---->
It sounds like the problem isn't squid itself, or the idea
of proxies in general...but instead the problem is probably
just a really poorly designed configuration -- the main clue
here being "I don't understand exactly how everything works.
Neither does anyone else"
Sounds like the previous admin was a hack (NOT a hacker),
who, among other things, didn't believe in commenting
his work -- probably because he didn't know very well
what he was doing in the first place.
I would keep squid, and design a new configuration
from scratch.
I've never had to admin a squid proxy, but I have worked at
places where it was being used. Squid works well when
properly configured -- just like most other software out there.
</pre>
</blockquote>
I have to agree with everything said, except I have admin'd Squid in a
fortune 50 company as well as smaller companies. You could spend $$$$$
for a cisco solution that would also have a learning curve and it
wouldn't gain you much other than getting locked into a smartnet
contract if you want sw upgrades.<br>
<br>
-dave (CISSP)<br>
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