Parental Guidance software / methods.

[BFG]

Relatives are finally going broadband! I will be helping them set up their NAT firewall router, but they have young (and very inquisitive) children so I think they'll need some protection software too.

Any recommendations for a method where someone with very limited IT knowhow can manage a good environment with few false positives?

[Davo]

Probably the best way is to have the PC in the family room where someone can easily oversee what the children are doing (e.g. lounge etc..) as far as I'm aware it can be quite easy to circumvent most popular packages such as Net Nanny.

[Suzuki]

Linux firewall/router. Block off all access to the internet, and force them to browse through an HTTP proxy.

Then restrict your proxy to allow them to view as little or as much as you want them to.
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[BFG]

We obviously have different definitions of 'very limited IT knowhow'

They couldn't handle a linux server. But thanks for the suggestion.

[Suzuki]

LOL. Must have missed the "limited IT knowhow" somehow.

You could always just set it up for them?

I installed a linux router at my dad's house for him. It's been running for nearly 2 years now and he's never had to touch it.
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<Simple> it is a big enough hole.. I'll leave it now
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[BFG]

I would make the whole world UNIX if I could. No, it's just not practical unfortunately. They live right out in the sticks and mains power fails quite frequently. They have a UPS for their desktop + there's a laptop, but adding a server+UPS for routing - they don't have the space, money or knowledge.

There are a thousand and one apps out there that can do this, like net nanny and so on. Just looking for recommendations for what's good from ordinary users (shouldn't really have posted in geek I guess, but I bet I'd have been slated if I posted this in general) - need something with real noddy type controls.


I know they can be circumvented. But then if a 14yr old circumvents something, maybe they'll be more conscious of the right/wrong balance compared with if they just blundered into it because it was easy / no protection.

Not too bothered if it can be got around with a little effort. Need to stop accidental encounters with the dark side because of the 7 year old.


Netnanny seems to get a lot of press.

[Suzuki]

Staying OT... there's no need for a linux server to be bothered by power failures. Provided everything is designed to start at boot, and the BIOS is set to power-on after a power failure, you'll have no problems!

Anyway, since that's not an option, I'll shut up.
____________________
<Simple> no I'm shaven Jon
<Simple> it is a big enough hole.. I'll leave it now
Ride: 1999 Suzuki GSXR600 (yellow/black) IRC: Stats - Relationship Map

[Mrs Kickstart]

Hi,

for the protection stuff then go for Norton Internet Security it has firewall virus protection and the parental control. You can set up several accounts if they have kids of different ages and set it to use the most restrictive at boot up.
It also does suto live updates and is really simple to use.

The down side is norton does hog resources a bit but I have not found anything better for the non it household that need control

For young kids you can just allow access to specified sites or use the options to block porn or violence etc. It works really well in this area but persistant teenage boys will get access to some porn if you let them in the same room as a computer.

Do not get mcaffee it far to sensitive, for example cant but cherry nutrigrain at tescos as it s a bit dodgy .

You can get NIS from the net cheaper than norton direct (I went to the software cellar) . Beware some of the ones on Ebay they have been pre registered and are pain to make work.

Regards
C
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[Rob W]