Is there a way to block "https//:" domains on a WRVS4400n?

[n8smitchko]

We are currently using a WRVS4400n router here and I have recently been asked to block Facecbook from all but a select few computers. 

I have been trying to do this through the Internet Access Policy section of the Firewall.  I have tried listing facebook.com under the forbidden domain section as well as adding "facebook" as a keyword to block. 

While this generally works, I found that users can get around this by going to the secure facebook site by adding https//: in front of the address.  I also noticed that a lot of websites out there have links that point to their own facebook pages that use the https//: prefix.  This allows users to access facebook by clicking on the link.

When I try to add a forbidden domain such as "https//:facebook.com" it tells me that it is an invalid URL.

So is there a way that I can block this?

[cadet alain]

Hi,

the easiest would be to install a Proxy Server like Squid but I suppose this is not one of your options.

Have you got a DNS server or is it the router ? if you've got a separate proxy dns server then point the facebook domain to 127.0.0.1 otherwise do this on the hosts file from the computers, make this read-only and disable other dns servers on the computers with local GPO.

Regards.

Alain

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[n8smitchko]

Thanks Alain,

I forgot about using the hosts file.  While this creates a fair amount of work on my end, at least it is a workaround for now.  So that's what I did.  I'm sure that we will be looking into getting a more sophisticated Web Content Filter device in the future.

Thanks again for your help!

Nate