Resolved internet filter/safety software

Hi there!

Does anyone have any suggestions as to which is the best? They all claim to be... I have been looking at K9 Web Protection, Safe Eyes, CyberPatrol and Net Nanny.

My children are now teens and I don't have time to stand over their shoulders. I do let them use Facebook and MSN/hotmail and they have a couple of music sights that they get guitar tabs and piano notes, but I don't want the wrong thing to show up...

I appreciate your help with this.

Sincerely,
Living Life

 

Its been a while since I've looked into this, but the first thing you want to do is figure out what your exact goals are--do you simply want to create an inadvertent popup or the bringing up of a kporn site that someone thought was legitimate? If that's all you're looking for, filters like net nanny would be sufficient. You have to understand, though, that any filter that runs on your computer can be turned off if the desire and persistence is there. This goes even for plan b, below.

If you really are looking for something that will block out sites even if the person is really trying to access them, you will need a server-side filter, which gives you a small program to install, and that re-routes your internet access through their servers. This can't simply be shut off at the computer itself, and will be much harder to break (read: not at all impossible).

Hedgebuilders and WiseChoice run a server-side filter that will be stronger. I believe Netnanny and cyber patrol are simply programs that you install, that would fall into the first category. As I said, this is a dictum in computer security circles--a computer can be compromised if you are in front of it--so don't think that either of these solutions are permanent, but they would be better than nothing at all.

 

Parents also need to understand Notebook computers have additional risks. First, this is a dynamic issue ... involving hardware (Notebook) and your local network / other local networks / public networks. Your children can link up to numerous networks, this would be best served by a "installed program" on child's notebook. This is only half the issue, you also have your kid's "friends laptop" requesting to link into your network / router. This latter issue can continue through college age adults. This additional security / filtering can be managed through your router DNS via free services like OpenDNS.

 

Great! Thank you! I just installed FamilyShield by OpenDNS. it is exactly what I was looking for!

 

Is this Profile independent ? I'm looking for something that works different setting in different profiles for instance my brother uses my Computer but i created a different User Profile so can we just implement security setting for that profile alone ?

Thanks,
Captain