Restricting websites...

andrew · Mister Road Rage Joined: 03 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi, I need to be able to restrict access to websites on my sisters computer and don't want to use a firewall. The machine is currently running Windows XP.

Thanks in advance. Thumbs Up

fuzz · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Karma :

In IE, goto Tools, Options, Content and click on content advisor. Enter a password and select what level of each of the categories are allowed.

You can also set up a site ban list on the security tab, click restricted sites and add those sites to the list.

tgabber · Crazy Courier Joined: 03 Jun 2004 Karma :

IMHO you're better off trying to educate your sister about the nasty stuff out there and how to avoid it, rather than using a content filter.

I looked into this whole area a while back for a friend of mine who has a nine-year-old. None of the content filters I looked at worked to my satisfaction and were more trouble than they were worth.

Also, if the censorship is being imposed against the child's will then it doesn't take long these days for a computer savvy kid to bypass it.
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Frost · World Chat Champion Joined: 26 May 2004 Karma :

Content filters DONT work. no matter what filters you slap on a browser you can allways access stuff you wouldnt want kids to see.

best thing to do is to find her some friendly sites to use, that way you can check them out first, or sit with her while she is online

conpants · Spanner Monkey Joined: 20 May 2004 Karma :

whatecer you do....

do not let her on www.bikechatforums.com

Shade_BW · I'm better than you Joined: 13 Jul 2004 Karma :

Ban it, hide it, stop it.......

Are you going to join the labour party?

Educate your sister.

Wrap people in cotton wool, and they hurt themselves on sharp edges. Teach them that scrapes aren't so bad, and they grow into better people.

Shade
Worldly Wise

Davo · Davo To The Rescue! Joined: 04 Apr 2004 Karma :

One way to do it is to find a file on your pc called hosts

enter the website address and a false ip address next to it

Look in C:\windows\system32\drivers\etc (on windows xp)

e.g.

#
# For example:
#
# 102.54.94.97 rhino.acme.com # source server
# 38.25.63.10 x.acme.com # x client host

127.0.0.1 localhost
127.0.0.1 www.dodgywebsiteidontwantmysistertosee.com

Quite handy for blocking popups as well, if you need a hand doing this PM me.

Craggles · Traffic Copper Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Davo - thats a smart idea, I might just try that to play some practical jokes on friends!

Anyway, I have to agree with Shade - my sister (12) has internet in her room via wireless. We don't restrict her access, but make sure she knows what she is doing - I had the same treatment. So far have had no problems. - As someone who's only stopped being a "kid" in the last few years, I can say I perfered the responsibility etc of having unrestriceted internet, to having a filter that I could have bypassed in 5 mins flat.

Craig
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skyline · Scooby Slapper Joined: 20 May 2004 Karma :

if you put a filter there she knows shes not allowed on the site so will always wander whats there and try to break to filter to see. the same as the old 'if you see a wet paint don't touch sign, you have to touch it just to see if it is wet'. you would be much better off educating her what is on the sites and what to expect than for her to accidently stuble upon one and be absolutly shocked Shocked

fuzz · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Karma :

andrew · Mister Road Rage Joined: 03 Feb 2002 Karma :

Mrs Kickstart · Brolly Dolly Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Karma :

As I get to fix loads of PC kids have access to I use Norton Internet Security I generally buy last years copy for about 8 quid and you get 12 months virus and content updates. It not fool proof in terms of content but does stop popups and shopping sites and stuff. I means they have to really try!

Regards