Making our home network safe for the kids

CheezePleeze

We want to make computer use safer for our kids - block as much inappropriate material as possible. We currently have two laptops, and I know we can probably set up a firewall on each one. But I want to make the whole network safe, so when friends or cousins come over with their iPads, that they cannot access inappropriate stuff through our wifi network.

Is it possible to do this?
Do any of the providers offer a family-safe subscription, like sky broadband shield?

Any ideas?

bonzodog2

http://www.opendns.com/home-internet-security/parental-controls/opendns-familyshield/ may suit you, but it may depend on your wifi router's setup options

wandererz

CheezePleeze wrote: »

We want to make computer use safer for our kids - block as much inappropriate material as possible. We currently have two laptops, and I know we can probably set up a firewall on each one. But I want to make the whole network safe, so when friends or cousins come over with their iPads, that they cannot access inappropriate stuff through our wifi network.

Is it possible to do this?
Do any of the providers offer a family-safe subscription, like sky broadband shield?

Any ideas?

You should push your service provider about this.
Right now they don't see the justification based on the cost model. i.e. they mostly don't believe that people will actually pay for this service, rather expect it at no extra cost.

Back to your query though, another option is to use a gateway type device at home that has web filtering etc built into it.
Located at the edge of your network (i.e. at the internet connection itself) it will filter all traffic.

Others can offer more advanced options such as a locked down wireless SSID for the kids etc and a more relaxed one for yourself.

CheezePleeze

wandererz wrote: »

Back to your query though, another option is to use a gateway type device at home that has web filtering etc built into it.

Thanks for the response. can you give me an idea of what these gateway devices are? If I pop into PC World, I suppose I'll find out more?

Thanks again.

GarIT

Change your DNS server on your router to Norton DNS and choose the option with the adult material filter.

To find out how to change it google your routers model number and DNS. All you have to do it change 2 12 digit numbers. To find out the new numbers to use just google Norton DNS.

It will work across all devices connected to that router.

CheezePleeze

Thanks...

vibe666

bonzodog2 wrote: »

http://www.opendns.com/home-internet-security/parental-controls/opendns-familyshield/ may suit you, but it may depend on your wifi router's setup options

GarIT wrote: »

Change your DNS server on your router to Norton DNS and choose the option with the adult material filter.

yep, either of these will work very well as long as you can change the DNS settings on your router itself. failing that you can also set them up on individual devices, but it can be a pain in the hole t o do if there's a bunch of them in the house.

depending on your ISP, they *may* actually have a similar "safe surf" option themselves, but you'll have to ask.

worst case scenario, you can buy your own router to use in place of (or inline with, depending on the ISP) your ISP's existing modem/router and configure everything to go through it to filter all your web traffic.

uch

Have a look at this http://www1.k9webprotection.com/
I used to use this when my kids were small

CheezePleeze

uch wrote: »

Have a look at this http://www1.k9webprotection.com/
I used to use this when my kids were small

Thanks - not sure if this can be installed on the whole wifi network, which is important for when the cousins visit with their iPads...

GarIT

CheezePleeze wrote: »

Thanks - not sure if this can be installed on the whole wifi network, which is important for when the cousins visit with their iPads...

You're right, there is no child protection software that will work on the whole network.

You need a router level solution.

Mr. G

Changing your DNS to Norton is probably the cheapest and easiest. You can change your DNS server to get around the block, but if someone's going to do that I wouldn't bother trying.

https://dns.norton.com/