Childproofing a computer

[yfel]

I'm sure there's a few parents out there who have given their old pc's to their kids as hand-me-downs. I'm a bit concerned about what they are doing outside of using their educational programs and like neopets.com and cartoonnetwork.com or whatever... they have already discovered youtube

Before anyone gives me shit about infringing on their privacy they are both under ten, so they really don't need to have any privacy on the computer anyway (I don't care what you say, you can't trust the word of an eight year old, I was one once too!). What programs (preferably free programs) can I use to filter/monitor what they do on there?

 

[rokar]

I have never used any sort of programs like this but heard net nanny was semi-ok. there are quite a few programs that will monitor/restrict access.

 

[sdotbrucato]

if you have another spare PC around, running some sort of UTM with a proxy would be your best bet. It would only cost you the extra PC, the OS is free, and you'd have complete control over the network, nothing on the actual PC to disable etc etc.

Most child-proofing software can be circumvented by that "one friend" that knows too much. Locking it down via the network is your best bet.

 

[450]

Most child-proofing software can be circumvented by that "one friend" that knows too much. Locking it down via the network is your best bet.

I was that one friend. :-p

Yay for using Administrator account on safe mode!

I second the lock down via the network. If you don't have a spare PC, a PIII based computer should be less than $40.

 

[OmegaAvenger]

I was that one friend. :-p

Yay for using Administrator account on safe mode!

I second the lock down via the network. If you don't have a spare PC, a PIII based computer should be less than $40.

My parents tried locking down our pc once. They didn't do it well enough. I uninstalled the software

 

[Lethal]

IMO your best bet is to only allow supervised use. Put the comp(s) they will use in plain sight and only allow net access when a parent is around. Not like you have to constantly monitor them, but if they know you could walk by at any minute and see what's on their screen, they'll be less inclined to try to visit risky sites. Works especially well with pubescent males who might otherwise be inclined to seek out porn and fap if they had net access in their bedroom.

 

[yfel]

if you have another spare PC around, running some sort of UTM with a proxy would be your best bet. It would only cost you the extra PC, the OS is free, and you'd have complete control over the network, nothing on the actual PC to disable etc etc.

Most child-proofing software can be circumvented by that "one friend" that knows too much. Locking it down via the network is your best bet.

I'm savvy enough with the hardware to get by putting together my own pc's and the like, but I have no idea what a UTM with a proxy is or how to do this Can you explain a little further or point me in the right direction? I do have a spare pc lying around.

 

[Deleted member 133315]

This is the perfect solution, child proofing at its best!

 

[atomiser]

I'm savvy enough with the hardware to get by putting together my own pc's and the like, but I have no idea what a UTM with a proxy is or how to do this Can you explain a little further or point me in the right direction? I do have a spare pc lying around.

google for untangle...download the iso...burn it...install it...either replace your router completely, or just use it in transparent mode between your router and your network...there's plenty of documentation on the site and a forum to answer questions...plus there are a few of us on here that use it also. quite simply, it's freakin *awesome*...!

 

[goodcooper]

IMO your best bet is to only allow supervised use. Put the comp(s) they will use in plain sight and only allow net access when a parent is around. Not like you have to constantly monitor them, but if they know you could walk by at any minute and see what's on their screen, they'll be less inclined to try to visit risky sites. Works especially well with pubescent males who might otherwise be inclined to seek out porn and fap if they had net access in their bedroom.

+1

watch your kids, not calling you a bad parent, so don't get offended, just saying this is the BEST option...

 

[scottatwittenberg]

Most child-proofing software can be circumvented by that "one friend" that knows too much. Locking it down via the network is your best bet.

it took me all of 5 minutes to figure out how to crash net nanny on my friend's win98 computer back in the day..

 

[SPARTAN VI]

What about OpenDNS?

More than 50 Categories
OpenDNS divides the Internet's content into more than 50 categories. Simply choose your desired filtering level, from "High" to "Minimal," and check its corresponding box. Your filtering preferences take effect in just minutes. Further customize your preferences by adding additional categories or individual Web sites that are problematic for your business.

Web Content Filtering Categories:

• Adult Themes
• Adware
• Alcohol
• Auctions
• Automotive
• Blogs
• Business Services
• Chat
• Classifieds
• Dating
• Drugs
• Ecommerce/Shopping
• Educational Institutions
• File storage
• Financial institutions
• Forums/Message boards
• Gambling
• Games
• Government
• Hate/Discrimination
• Health
• Humor
• Instant messaging
• Jobs/Employment
• Lingerie/Bikini
• Movies
• Music
• News/Media
• Non-profits
• Nudity
• P2P/File sharing
• Parked Domains
• Phishing
• Photo sharing
• Podcasts
• Politics
• Pornography
• Portals
• Proxy/Anonymizer
• Radio
• Religious
• Research/Reference
• Search engines
• Sexuality
• Social networking
• Software/Technology
• Sports
• Tasteless
• Television
• Travel
• Video sharing
• Visual search engines
• Weapons
• Webmail

Filtering by Department
OpenDNS makes it easy to implement different filtering levels for different networks within your organization. Set up more restrictive filtering for some departments, and less restrictive filtering for others. It's as easy as adding the network and checking a box.

Adult Site Blocking from St. Bernard Software
OpenDNS Web content filtering uses the iGuard database from St. Bernard Software to power all categories relating to "Adult" content.

 

[HoppyChris]

I don't have kids, but for sub-10 year olds I'd probably make sure that they could easily get to Reader Rabbit (or whatever kid software they have these days) and then make the internet an only-when-I'm-there-with-you thing. I'm probably just weird, though and this is likely unrealistic.

 

[GushpinBob]

One of the best things you can do is put the computer in a public area like the living room in the house. That way it's pretty easy to tell if little Johnny is really doing his homework when he says he is.

I don't have kids, but for sub-10 year olds I'd probably make sure that they could easily get to Reader Rabbit (or whatever kid software they have these days) and then make the internet an only-when-I'm-there-with-you thing. I'm probably just weird, though and this is likely unrealistic.

That's not a bad idea. Young kids don't really need 24/7 access to the Internet with exceptions relating to school, extracurricular activities, or contact with friends (known in flesh ) or family. Besides, what retail-box educational game is gonna require a connection to the Internet?

*Remembers the days of Reader Rabbit, Gizmos & Gadgets, Math Blaster, and Mavis Beacon in the early 90s*

 

[Destonomos]

Once I have a kid all his internet traffic is getting logged. I'm also going to be restricting his access to all websites and he/she can ask for me to let them get on certain pre approved sites.

 

[mystykmax]

as I've learned from some wise folks here, Untangle and pfSense are perfect for this kind of thing.

 

[yfel]

Can I apply untangle filtering to certain pc's or does it blanket the entire network?

 

[supergper]

Can I apply untangle filtering to certain pc's or does it blanket the entire network?

I don't know with untangle, but I know with Dan's Gaurdian you can filter by a lot fo criteria, including vlans (put your kids on one vlan and restrict it, put yours on another and let it be free ) I imagine untangle can do similar.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Can I apply untangle filtering to certain pc's or does it blanket the entire network?

You can make multiple rule sets and apply them to specific, separate computers...or even groups of computers. Exclude computers from any filtering, etc.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

What about OpenDNS

Excellent first suggestion.

It's FREE
It requires NO additional equipment
Simply change your routers DNS servers to it (or your DHCP service, or your DNS forwarding, whatever). So very easy to setup and implement on a network.
It does a pretty decent job.

 

[criccio]

Excellent first suggestion.

It's FREE
It requires NO additional equipment
Simply change your routers DNS servers to it (or your DHCP service, or your DNS forwarding, whatever). So very easy to setup and implement on a network.
It does a pretty decent job.

But if he changed his routers DNS servers to it, it would affect all the machines on the network. Just change the DNS servers on the computers in question to 208.67.222.222, and 208.67.220.220 (the openDNS nameservers), register an account with them, set up a quick filter, and your done.

 

[Jodiuh]

OpenDNS is nice for someone that can't change to 4.2.2.2, but what about adult proofing a tech savvy individuals computer?

I'm looking for a free client based web content filtering system like K9(doesn't disable in safe mode), but it has to work in Windows 7 64. At this point ill consider paid apps too.

 

[raykain]

OpenDNS is nice for someone that can't change to 4.2.2.2, but what about adult proofing a tech savvy individuals computer?

I'm looking for a free client based web content filtering system like K9(doesn't disable in safe mode), but it has to work in Windows 7 64. At this point ill consider paid apps too.

I have OpenDNS setup at 86 of our remote locations. You can not bypass this if you make sure your router is setup correctly. Meaning you need to intercept the DNS. Changing DNS on workstation will not work (Have Tested personally). How to below.

http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/OpenDNS

 

[Malk-a-mite]

Any solution that can be devised can be bypassed - ... we see it every day, both in our jobs and on this forum.

2-3 people already hit the nail on the head, be involved, keep the computer in a public part of the house.

 

[marley1]

netnanny

 

[Stanley Pain]

I think back to all the crazy shit I did/found on the Internet. My kids are going to be supervised, without a doubt

 

[g1no23]

Use OpenDNS, then use Windows Steady State or GPO to lock down Network Connections access.

 

[OmegaAvenger]

my parents tried restricting me with software when i was in middle/high school. it was so easy to ge around. then they tried unhooking the computer from the router when they wernt home and(house was wired with cat5, all terminated in the master bedroom closet.), but the modem was in the kitchen, computer was in the living room.... and i cable that could reach from there hidden in the entertainment center.. hehehe.

 

[|CMF|SoulAssassin]

OpenDNS is nice for someone that can't change to 4.2.2.2, but what about adult proofing a tech savvy individuals computer?

What do you mean by changing to 4.2.2.2 ? Can you elaborate on this exploit ?

I happened to use OpenDns been using it for more then 1 year and i find it very easy to configure....

 

[Malk-a-mite]

What do you mean by changing to 4.2.2.2 ? Can you elaborate on this exploit ?

Not an exploit - couple of years ago when I think Comcast was experiencing nationwide (US) DNS issues a list of "open" DNS server IPs were compiled by members of numerous forums.

4.2.2.2 happens to be (I believe) the easiest to remember of that list, which was easily a couple dozen different IPs.

EDIT: Owned by GTE/Verizon I believe - but it's been a while since I looked it up.