how do i child proof my computer ??

marlie2005

Okay so i'm not very technical about this stuff but i would like to prevent my child from being just a few clicks away from stuff they are too young to see..
Does anyone recommend any type of software (free or cheap ) that might suit..

thanks

chin_grin

In all fairness you cannot 100% block content as they'll find a way through. (IE booting from an ubuntu disk or something similar).

Microsoft has a program called "family safety" you could try that.

http://explore.live.com/windows-live-essentials-other-programs?T1=t5

Also be sure to set up a new user account and limit what they can do (install programs, etc).

Torqay

How old and technically versed is the child?

TBH, there are pretty good web filters, even free, but efficient protection requires a fair bit of knowledge regarding their configuration and indeed regular maintenance. But most of these "net nanny" type programs which promise protection out-of-the-box aren't worth their salt.

BengaLover

Depending on the age of the child you can install kids browsers, firefox has one called Kidzui that only displays age related content.

Gloomtastic!

BengaLover wrote: »

Depending on the age of the child you can install kids browsers, firefox has one called Kidzui that only displays age related content.

+1 to kidszui Has everything kids want but without the worry.

yoyo

K9 Web Protection is fairly good. Its a "Net Nanny" type program, and fully free

Nick

PaudyW

put the computer some where it could be monitored, Kids can get round them programs handier then you can set it up on the computer, if not now soon and then you have no way of knowing what there at on it,

Bosh

I use MS Family Safety for the 12 yr old.

You can either set it to block everything & then individually allow sites as you go. Can be a bit of a pain but is the most effective. Or add sites to the block list on an ad hoc basis, not as effective and site will be seen before you can block it.

It monitors all usage, time spent online, sites accessed etc.

You need to set up their own user account on the computer, set it as limited, which prevents them changing anything vital and stops them installing anything. Then set Family Safety to monitor that account. You will need a Windows Live ID which you sign up for (free) or use a Hotmail if you already have one.

Best advice has already given, have computer in the living room or somewhere that you can monitor whats going on. They're less likely to be up to mischief if they're likely to be interrupted

Friel

Keep the computer in your sight, they won't be watching porn if you're in the background watching Corrie. Setup a limited user account, and make sure you always log out of your account when you're finished with it. Otherwise they'll be able to use yours.

Use the K9 Web Protection and Kidzui as already mentioned. Haven't seen Kidzui in use before, but K9 is a good program.

You'll never be able to 100% filter things, theres ways around everything. But if they're just kids you should be grand.

BengaLover

I agree, K9 was the best thing i ever installed. you can block specified sites or sites containing things of your choosing.

marlie2005

Thanks all for the advice.
i had been looking into K9 as it was one of the first to come up on google but needed to get opinons on it.. I think maybe I am being a bit over cautious as my son is only 6 but has recently told me to 'go away' while he was on the computer. Got my mind thinking ...He really only watches trucks on youtube but am very aware that he could be a few clicks away from other sites..

while I was at it today I set up a separate user for him with very limited access and will probably add to that as needs be.. Will i hold off the other downloads for the time being and see how this goes ??

BengaLover

YouTube has so many links and ads and pop ups and banners, it would be so easy for him to get onto something dodgy even when looking at trucks!
If you download K9 you can tick all the things you want your pc to block - alcohol, porn, violence, weapons, etc.

marlie2005

Will be done tonight so .. never paid any attention to the banners and links on youtube but would they open if youtube is the only site allowed by parental control ??

Thanks for the speedy reply by the way ..

yoyo

K9 is decent, and fairly robust, just give your son a limited user account and bypassing it would be very difficult

Nick

The Black Oil

Supervision and keeping the PC in a family area are probably the only real guarantees. On the software side, there are a few options like Open DNS, PC Pandora, Family Keylogger, etc.