How to build local web proxy without configuring the browsers

Question

How does Netnanny or k9 Web Protection setup web proxy without configuring the browsers? How can it be done?

Answer 1

Using WinSock directly, or at the NDIS or hardware driver level, and then filter at those levels, just like any firewalls soft does. NDIS being the easy way.

Download this ISO image: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/confirmation.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=36a2630f-5d56-43b5-b996-7633f2ec14ff
it has bunch of samples and tools to help you build what you want. After you mount or burn it on CD and install it go to this folder: c:\WinDDK\7600.16385.1\src\network\ndis\

Answer 2

I think what you need is a transparent proxy that support WCCP.

Take a look at squid-cache FAQ page

And the Wikipedia entry for WCCP

With that setup you just need to do some firewall configuration and all your web traffic will be handled by the transparent proxy. And no setup will be needed on your browser.