Recommended Linux Build for content filtering?

[BourbonBrew]

Been looking into different options for content filtering that are cost effective. Most that I seen are costly and thought I would looking into running a Linux machine to filter our internet usage.

What is the best route to go and are there any packages or distributions out there that are worth looking into?

 

[Jackson Brown]

If when you say content filtering, you mean blocking websites and stuff like that, squid3 is a really good cost effective route to go. It's an open source proxy server that can be used to filter web traffic, and has a multitude of configuration behind it.

 

[Bethlehem]

@BourbonBrew Yeah, I know it's been a month since you asked, but.....
If you are wanting to dedicate a device to this, meaning you are wanting to build a computer (or vm) specifically for this:
Endian (Community Edition)
Untangled
Clear OS
.... in that order.

If you are wanting to build your own, IPTABLES, DansGuardian, Squid, etc can easily be rolled into a router with content filtering.

I have plenty of healthcare clients with Endian or Untangle boxes protecting their networks, both the free editions and the paid for versions.

Now how about some of that bourbon? I like BuffaloTrace and Makers Mark.