Looking for good / cheap content filtering software for personal use

P

Punkrulz

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Nov 11, 2001
Messages
1,458
My girlfriend's dad has me working on his computer while he's on vacation this week. They stated that the computer had gotten so bad because his girlriend's son keeps looking at inappropriate websites on the computer. He wanted me to reformat the computer, but also wants me to get something that can handle content filtering to stop these websites from being able to be accessed.

I went looking around at Best Buy the other day. The first thing I had noticed was that Symantec Client Security does NOT have an adult content filter. I was looking and looking, when I saw that the McAfee Security Suite did have one, so I bought it. Fortunately I haven't had to open the box, as I am a member of Comcast and get a few subscription to the same software. I was testing out the McAfee, and while it did block some content, it wasn't able to block all. I was hoping that it would block the entire website stating that this page is blocked due to adult content... instead it replaces some images with the McAfee logo.

Does anyone know of a low cost solution so that I can help my girlfriend's father stop adult content from being viewed on the computer?
 
The best way is to just put the computer in a place where the kid knows someone might walk up behind him. Really, I kind of think that no matter what software is used, the kid will be able to figure out a way around it.

You might want to add on some sneakiness, like a custom hosts file that blocks whole websites. That would mean you have to hunt down a comprehensive site list somewhere.

You also could try this, assuming formatting the hard drive was an option anyhow:
http://www.whatwouldjesusdownload.com/christianubuntu/2006/07/about-ubuntu-christian-edition.html
 
Thanks Lang, anyone else? Unfortunately the OS wouldn't be an option because it isn't just his computer. I thought about the computer placement too, but I think that just generally falls into the category of supervision... which I'm not so sure is the case. I have not been to her dad's girlfriend's house, nor do I know her work schedule. I do know that the boy is old enough to be left on his own (16)... so I'm sure actual supervision is a problem. That's why I'm trying to find more of a way to put a stop to it.

You're right, I'm sure they can find a way around it... but at least I can say I then tried, and can take it from there.
 
Punkrulz said:
They stated that the computer had gotten so bad because his girlriend's son keeps looking at inappropriate websites on the computer.
Click to expand...

Everybody blames the little kid for the computer problems. I see that all the time. :rolleyes:

Punkrulz said:
I was looking and looking, when I saw that the McAfee Security Suite did have one, so I bought it. Fortunately I haven't had to open the box, as I am a member of Comcast and get a few subscription to the same software. I was testing out the McAfee, and while it did block some content, it wasn't able to block all. I was hoping that it would block the entire website stating that this page is blocked due to adult content... instead it replaces some images with the McAfee logo.
Click to expand...

If you can, return McAffe. If you can't, throw it in the garbage. McAfee will only make matters worse. Ask any [H]ard user here.

I never had the need or want to block porn sites so I don't know too much. :D I do know that SpyBot's "Immunization" feature blocks bad addresses for IE. Perhaps you can get them to change browsers. While you're at it, you can add some Firefox extensions that block certain content. I can't talk about it too much as it's against the forum rules. ;)

PeerGuardian will block many bad addresses as well.

There are some filters that block certain sites, but many times they block to damn much of other stuff.
 
r-486 said:
Everybody blames the little kid for the computer problems. I see that all the time. :rolleyes:



If you can, return McAffe. If you can't, throw it in the garbage. McAfee will only make matters worse. Ask any [H]ard user here.

I never had the need or want to block porn sites so I don't know too much. :D I do know that SpyBot's "Immunization" feature blocks bad addresses for IE. Perhaps you can get them to change browsers. While you're at it, you can add some Firefox extensions that block certain content. I can't talk about it too much as it's against the forum rules. ;)

PeerGuardian will block many bad addresses as well.

There are some filters that block certain sites, but many times they block to damn much of other stuff.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the insight R-486, I will take a look into those options as well. I was fortunate. When I found McAfee, I didn't open it because I knew Comcast had the same product offered to it's customers. I decided to try that out (which was the same product I bought for $70) before opening the box. Thankfully I have unopened software the Best Buy has a 30 day return policy. I should be returning it sometime tomorrow.
 
What operating system are they using? I know windows vista has parental controls built into it, but honestly I have never used it with my kids so I have no clue how well it works with anything.

Also suggest creating a user account just for him and putting a password on all the accounts so that when he wants to log in they have to do it themselves and hopefully they can keep an eye on him a bit better while they are there and he is on the computer. I know my computers are all password protected at my house as well and they are not allowed on the computer unless I am home, not that I don't trust them, but I would rather be safe than sorry.
 
Thanks for the help guys. I was actually checking back with this thread because I had located another form of content filtering from another source I check. I'm surprised that I hadn't thought about it before, but I'm very happy with how it works right now. The following two links do similar things, they are both "DNS Filters", which I think is a great idea.

ScrubIT
OpenDNS

I had initially looked at OpenDNS, because it allows you to configure your specific settings for your network if you wish. This requires the knowledge of your Public IP address. I felt this would pose a problem because I know my provider, as well as probably the one that this computer would primarily be under utilize Dynamic IP addresses, and it would be too much to have to re-configure the network settings every time. I then switched over to ScrubIT which I have been extremely pleased with the test results.

K9 Web Protection also seems like it would be a great product; it's free (can't beat that!), it's going to continue to be free, it appears to scan websites based on the content that it isn't sure about, and it also allows you to add websites to block, or allow you to websites it possibly incorrectly blocked using a password. It's a phenomenal idea.

While I have learned a lot going through this experience, I think my primary concern is remembering all of these great products and how to keep accessing them in the future. How do you guys remember everything? Favorites can be lost, and the forums may not be around forever... just a pet peeve of mine that I'm really worried about losing that!

Thanks!
 
Punkrulz said:
OpenDNS
Click to expand...

I currently use OpenDNS, but my settings aren't blocking porn. :D

Punkrulz said:
I had initially looked at OpenDNS, because it allows you to configure your specific settings for your network if you wish. This requires the knowledge of your Public IP address. I felt this would pose a problem because I know my provider, as well as probably the one that this computer would primarily be under utilize Dynamic IP addresses, and it would be too much to have to re-configure the network settings every time. I then switched over to ScrubIT which I have been extremely pleased with the test results.
Click to expand...

OpenDNS does support dynamic IP addresses. It blocks more sites than ScrubIT.
 
I have to deal with this stuff at work all the time. We have sales guys that want to surf pron and lotto/gambling sites in their offices :( We are using Surfcontrol which is a commercial product and works pretty well, but nothing will catch everything. The sites just change too often and some of them are IP only.

The single most effective thing to do is have the computer in a "public" area and have the monitor facing a door so people can't close whatever they have up real quick when someone walks in. Also have people use a specific login id and let them know what they are doing is being monitored. Vista does have parental controls which work ok if you take the time to configure them, and there are tons of 3rd party applications some of which work fairly well. The only way to ensure that nothing unwanted can be accessed is to do DNS/gateway tricks.

One way to do it if you really want complete control is to point ur gateway to an invalid site so no websites at all will open. Then add in valid DNS records in your hosts file only for sites you want the user to be able to open. This does require alot of legwork but unless somebody knows a bit about networking they will not be able to circumvent this method.
 
r-486 said:
I currently use OpenDNS, but my settings aren't blocking porn. :D



OpenDNS does support dynamic IP addresses. It blocks more sites than ScrubIT.
Click to expand...

When I tried using this method, it let every single website through. Does it only begin to block them when you configure the networking on their site? Also, is it possible for me to configure it while at my house under one IP address, and then when they were to go to their home it would work for them? How does it recognize the dynamic IP change, software on the computer?
 
I hate to be the naysayer, but when my parents tried this on me, I broke 3 different "Babysitting" programs before they gave up.


If that kid knows how to get around a PC, no program you will install can stop him!!

If my parents had known about hosts files, they probably woulda got me. Alas, that takes too much work. So many people don't bother.


^_^
 
The hosts trick is unbreakable as long as you can't get admin access or write permissions on the files. So for it to work you have to give them a debugger user login or something of that nature and be sure any admin users are password protected. If they have admin access and know what they are doing they can change permissions on the hosts files and then with some basic networking knowledge do whatever they want. But most people don't even think to look at the hosts file and wouldn't be able to figure out why they were being blocked, especially if you modify the default error messages in IE:D
 
Punkrulz said:
When I tried using this method, it let every single website through. Does it only begin to block them when you configure the networking on their site? Also, is it possible for me to configure it while at my house under one IP address, and then when they were to go to their home it would work for them?
Click to expand...

Yes, you can control different IP addresses with one account.

Punkrulz said:
How does it recognize the dynamic IP change, software on the computer?
Click to expand...

Make an account at the site. It'll tell you how to do it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top