Restrict pc access for children

Slipper1

Hi All,

My brother has a new Win XP pc and he wants to restrict access on it for his children so that they don't cause any problems.

He as 4 children 12, 11, 6 & 5.

Can you please advise what options are out there to protect them while on the internet (11 & 12 year olds, younger children will not be allowed use the internet) and also restrict general access to the pc e.g. start menu, control panel etc

Any advice on how I could set this up or software available to do this would be greatly appreciated?


Thanks in advance


P.S. I have viewed user profiles but they don't go far enough where security for children is concerned

MunsterCycling

What type router does he have as most good one's allow access restriction based on time/IP address.

http://www.google.ie/search?q=Restrict+pc+access+for+children&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&client=firefox-a

MC

gamer

install naomi free prog blocks adult websites, make password sumthing like, cvj731kl, otherwise they might guess it.JUST google naomi download.
if you use opendns ,i think that blocks adult websites.
dont allow them them to open a youtube account, as there is 18+ videos there too.
you can also buy a program like netnanny.naoimi blocks some ordinary websites,like health medical,info, so you input password to knock it off,while adult uses the pc. on reboot ,it should be re enabled ,i think.

Capt'n Midnight

[edit] see PogMoThoin's post for opendns [/edit]

setup an ordinary account so they can't install programs or change settings

the best way is to make sure you can see what they are doing, leaving the pc up in the bedroom is just asking for trouble especially when the friends come around.

tech

bluecoat K9 is your man for the job.

PogMoThoin

Capt'n Midnight wrote: »

get a static IP from your ISP and register with www.opendns.org to get sites blocked - won't work without a static IP IIRC

I'm doin it with a dynamic ip

http://www.opendns.com/support/dynamic_ip_tech/

Most ISP's charge shítloads for a static ip

Capt'n Midnight

PogMoThoin wrote: »

I'm doin it with a dynamic ip

http://www.opendns.com/support/dynamic_ip_tech/

Thanks nice to know

bpmurray

If he doesn't know how to set this up, he should realise that it'll take the kids about 20 seconds to get around these.

The correct approach is to educate the kids: they should understand never to give out personal information, etc. And then he has to trust them.

PogMoThoin

bpmurray wrote: »

If he doesn't know how to set this up, he should realise that it'll take the kids about 20 seconds to get around these.

The correct approach is to educate the kids: they should understand never to give out personal information, etc. And then he has to trust them.

Well then, how do you get round having opendns blocking adult content at dns level? Remember anonymisers and proxys are also blocked. And you say you can do it in 20mins My dynamic ip updater isn't even on the kids pc, its on the network and they don't have access to the modem to change dns.

There are loads of things out there that need blocking, like the one going round last yr with the girls and a cup. 2 yrs ago my son googled "fat arses" for fun, just lucky i was there to close the browser. Educate them, yes, but its not enough.

More info on opendns adult content filtering

MunsterCycling

tech wrote: »

bluecoat K9 is your man for the job.

Thanks tech, couldn't think of the name of that one the other day, sister had it on her pc for her children's use but it just slipped my mind at the time.


MC

Overheal

where does he keep the computer? The living room or kitchen area is the best.

Cabaal

Overheal wrote: »

where does he keep the computer? The living room or kitchen area is the best.

I'd agree, keeping it in bedrooms is only asking for trouble...

As much as having a PC in the living room would have pissed me off as a kid I'd have it in a family room for my kids,

Slipper1

Hi Guys,

The router he will be using is an Eircom standard router (Netopia WiFi
router).

The computer will be based in his bedroom and not the children’s.

However, it’s just not possible to watch them all the time so a combination of good pc security and educating the children about safety on the internet will be the best approach as you guys have advised.

Thanks for all help.

Overheal

Slipper1 wrote: »

The computer will be based in his bedroom and not the children’s.

However, it’s just not possible to watch them all the time so a combination of good pc security and educating the children about safety on the internet will be the best approach as you guys have advised.

yeah, even in the parents bedroom, that never stopped me as a kid. youve been warned.

Gary ITR

Overheal wrote: »

yeah, even in the parents bedroom, that never stopped me as a kid. youve been warned.

In your mothers bedroom. You need a role model

Overheal

stepmothers

PogMoThoin

Slipper1 wrote: »

Hi Guys,

The router he will be using is an Eircom standard router (Netopia WiFi
router).

The computer will be based in his bedroom and not the children’s.

However, it’s just not possible to watch them all the time so a combination of good pc security and educating the children about safety on the internet will be the best approach as you guys have advised.

Thanks for all help.

How often would you check on them in a bedroom? Not a great idea to have it in a bedroom, even if its your bedroom. Your right in saying it’s just not possible to watch them all the time. The kitchen is where I've got my kids pc, there's very little they can get up to there as there's always the risk of someone walking in unexpected which is whats needed.