I am looking for some advise on software or solution on how to set up parental controls on a computer using windows xp. I want to be able to see internet surfing history, web sites visited, downloads and also be able to block adult content, poker sites, P2P downloads.

I'm not sure if I am able to do this via the internet router/modem set up. I used to have a Lynks wireless router and I was able to do it, but now I have a different router (ATT DSL).

Any guidence will be much appreciated, thank you.


lavega21

If you are familiar and comfortable with performing the restrictions with router settings, put the router back in the sequence.

But you also stated that you wanted to collect "history".

Since any marginally savvy user can delete history via using IE Clear History or a third-party utility such as Ccleaner, you will need a software parental control installed to gather and keep such information safeguarded for your intended use.

Learn about using Limited User Accounts in Windows XP:
http://forums.whatthetech.com/Limited_User...nts_t88937.html

K9 is a well respected software
www.k9webprotection.com
__________________________

Most folks who have read my contributions in the past know that I'm not at all a fan of Parental Control Software.

If your Member Profile is accurate, at 29 you may not be dealing with children, but rather attempting to keep your own machine secure from the possible abuse of roomates, partners or other guest users.
That's fine.
The important thing to remember is: "It's your machine." How it is used is a matter or your own decision and should be respected by all others, adult or child.

For you, or other readers who may be dealing with children...
Here's an excerpt of what I've posted before.

Doug,

Thank you for your reply and for taking the time. I completely agree with you with the fact that we need to educate our children and talk to them about the risks of surfing the internet. Having said that, as a parent of a 10 year old boy and 6 year old girl, I do not want to take the chance of them by accident or on purpose, to access websites that would open a door to curiosity and take away the most precious thing a child could have, which is their innocence. We see sites with ads and banners that are not appropriate for kids but are listed on websites that one may say it is safe or ok for a child.

I think it has to do how the child is being brought as well, I talk to my kids and I explain the reason why they are not allow to do certain things,for example, the movies they watch, the music they listen or programs not only the computer, you know, I want to do this things now that I have control (maybe that's not the right word) over them. This is when their personalities and characters are being built. We have kids in our family even younger than mines that their parents don't care what they watch, how they talk , what they listen to and if reflects of how the child behave, It is very sad.



My member profile says that I have kids...Kind of a of a complement here?...I started early the positive it's that you end early as well, J/K you never end with your kids they are forever your kids.

Roommates? No thank you
Partners? No I am happily married
Other Guest= Well you always have those, even the annoying ones LOL

with much respect,


I totally agree with you on everything you have on your excerpt post.....To add something else, I read somewhere, not sure where, much is said that we need to be friends with our kids, yes we do but we need to be parents first, they have friends everywhere and they will always have new friends, old friend but they only have one set of parents and they need mom and dad.
lavega21

This post has been edited by lavega21: Oct 24 2009, 02:18 AM

Hi,lavega21,
What an excellent and well reasoned response to Doug's post.
All good wishes to you, and your family, from all of us here on the WTT forums.
Regards
paws

lavega21,

I concur with Paw's observation.
Thanks for your thoughtful reply.

As parents, we are all in this together, and relying upon each other's good parenting.
Afterall, our children are at risk of meeting each other now or in the future.
How we raise them predicts how they may contribute to the world and their peers.
I'm glad to read that you value talking with your children.
_______________

As an afterthought regarding Software, I use MVPS Hosts File to block most all third-party advertisement
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

Removes much of the risk of accidental "click".

To further clean up the page, I use "Homer" from funkytoad software
http://www.funkytoad.com/index.php?option=...4&Itemid=32

Between the two (MVPS Hosts file and Homer) the protection actually increases speed of smooth browsing.... (no more waiting for your browser to load all those unwanted third-party advertisements.

Best Regards

lavega21

I have to agree that using the lock and key approach to internet safety at home is something I have had to consider myself, with 5 children and now 1 grandchild, I have seen them try almost every trick in the book to find there way to the sites I know led me here for virus removal. Though kids are always curious, especially when led by a friend at school, or an ad from TV, and Google makes everything that little easier for wondering, curious minds.

My solution was to add Firefox as a 2nd browser with a few add-on's that are recommended here at What the Tech and by some Microsoft MVP's

• Set up Limited User Accounts,
• Download Firefox,
  
  • Glubble is a great (Firefox add-on) if you have kids and want to manage the sites your kids are allowed to see.
  • Adblock Plus(Firefox Add-on), NoScript(Firefox Add-on),
  • I also use a MVPS Hosts File, and a anti-virus and firewall program.

For some more information here are a few good links:

Microsoft - Security at Home
Preventing Malware - Tools and Practices for Safe Computing
Simple and easy ways to keep your computer safe and secure on the Internet

Regards,
Jkc73

FYI...

Another option:

- http://www.opendns.com/support/article/239
"For seven adult site categories, OpenDNS licensed St. Bernard's iGuard* database. We're pleased to have this high-quality service integrated into OpenDNS..."
* http://www.stbernard.com/products/iprism/iguard/default.asp