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I have a networked computer that is used as a remote print/scan server (which is shared by numerous users) Is there any way I can block the machines internet access while still allowing it to connect to our local network?

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Essentially, its a Windows XP machine shared between myself and 5 others in my department (a workaround to share a scanner without purchasing a network enabled scanner) VNC server is set up on the acting 'server' computer and each user is using a vnc client to access the machine. The machine has its own account and I would like to disable internet access. Is there a way I can disable all internet access from the computer itself without changing group policy settings?

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This might actually get a better response on ServerFault. – C. Ross Dec 10 '09 at 14:35
can you give us more details? what OS on the networked computer? what is the router/gateway device on the local network? – quack quixote Dec 10 '09 at 15:30
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4 Answers

up vote 0 down vote accepted

The easiest way to do this by far (but anyone technical could bypass) is simply to go to internet properties and change the proxy to something non-existent.

Other than this, If you have no intranet, you could look at Windows Firewall (If this is Vista +, not sure XP supports this) and block port 80 outgoing.

Both of these methods can be countered if the machine is not locked down.

Personally, if there is no reason for users to be on this other than there programs, just completely lock it down through group policy.

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-1: changing proxies and blocking port 80 (not to mention port 443, for HTTPS) might shut down a webbrowser, but "internet access" isn't limited to browsers. +1: locking down through group policy is a good suggestion. – quack quixote Dec 10 '09 at 15:34
well, we are talking about a machine used as a server that needs user access - usually, changing proxy or blocking port 80 is enough to discourage people from using it - typically, if they open IE and see page cannot be displayed, that is enough!... but at least I end up with a 0 and not a -1 in your books, so +1 from me! :) – William Hilsum Dec 10 '09 at 21:13
maybe the -1 is better applied to the question for being unclear... ;) – quack quixote Dec 11 '09 at 3:03
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up vote 3 down vote

I think the simplest way for doing this is to set wrong default gateway.

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or remove the default route entirely, so the only IPs it can route are those of its local interfaces. without experimenting i'm not sure which approach would work better -- Windows may prefer being lied to. :) – quack quixote Dec 10 '09 at 15:28
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up vote 0 down vote

I also think that changing the default route in your router should do the trick. However, this will not stop the router from routing, if one points to it. Changing the default route as published by the DHCP server will only remove the default route from the client computers. Anyone who adds the route manually will then gain internet access back. And removing the default route FOR THE ROUTER ITSELF might not be a good idea, as it denies access to the internet for everyone.

Another solution bight be routing based on the source IP. You could block internet access to IP addresses under x.x.x.128, allowing others. If you have a Linux-based router, such rules could easily be programmed. With a router such as those you buy at the store, this may be a bigger challenge.

Many routers may also have access permissions that can be based on IP range. Check your own router configuration. Or just go Linux !

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up vote 0 down vote

I believe you could do this at the router level (depending on you QOS) and put in a rule to BLOCK all traffic (outbound off LAN) for that specific server/computer IP.

That way the server can function just fine internally but the router will drop / deny all access externally.

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