Help me make the internet rated G! (Parental control software)

rfalias

So, I was tasked with finding the best way to convert the internet from decrepit cesspool filled with all manner of unspeakable acts, to a shining meadow with ponies prancing and drawing pictures of other meadows with more ponies prancing about.

I'm very technical but the one thing in all of technologyland I know jack shit about, is all that parental control software, seeing as I don't have any kids and all. I've googled a bit, but have no idea what is total crap, and what is worth it.

The freeeeeeer the better!
It's for my niece that is slowly becoming more and more interested in computers and all of that (Woo future nerd!). My sister just does not want her to have free reign, for obvious reasons.

I need suggestions!

Tav

Maybe Kidsplorer? It was made by a Dad for his son with a severe learning disability so he could let him use the internet without having to be overbearing on him (Giving him a sense of independence).

rfalias

So I noticed vista has parental controls, do they work alright?

Tinuz

I guess there are two reasonable ways to go, whitelisting, and blacklisting. The former is what KidSplorer does, and although a viable method, you end up with the problem where you have to approve every site the kid wants to visit. If she visits two or three sites, that's no problem, but a Google search becomes near impossible.

The latter has the same problem, but in reverse...

The third alternative is something I have only seen done well in websense. This is a content based filter, probably with a proprietary algorithm. It tends to work very well, as I can visit anything I want at work, except evidently 'bad' sites.

My solution would be slightly different. Depending on the age of your niece, tell her that she is not allowed to visit 'bad' sites (assuming she is of age to know this). Then just log her history and check occasionally (or flag when something dubious pops up).

Finally, the effectiveness of these things also depends on how computer savvy your niece is. I am no hacker, but I can break through most of these solutions (except websense, haven't tried, but I doubt hacking a US federal server will go down will ), and was able to do so since my 14th.....kids are very quick learners.

Kistra

Sorry, I don't know anything about parental control software. But make sure your sister is reasonably computer savvy. When I was about 12 my mom tried to put parental controls on my AOL account (this was a while ago). I promptly removed them and put them on her instead and I don't think she noticed for several years.

I would suggest some sort of content filter while your niece is really young and after that talking about what is "good" and what is "bad" and monitoring her history.

rfalias

Oh no not websense! We use that at work, but I was under the impression it was corporate shit, and very expensive.

My sister and her husband are reasonably savvy, my neice is getting there.
Now, the whole log thing is an idea, but the objective is not to catch her, its to prevent her.
I think if you view black midget amputee toilet hardware hand-job porn at a young age, you will have some issues after that.

Now its not really a trust issue either, so her trying to hack it to check out midgetshookup.com isn't really the concern. It's just, well the internet holds many surprises that are a click away.

After looking at some of the recommendations, I'm sure they will want usage restrictions, coupled with some of the other methods.
I'd assume you could technically 'stack' some of this stuff to achieve the results we are looking for?

Trentus

I'm not too sure where you live, but over in this part of the world (Australia) there are a few ISPs who offer filtered proxies their customers can use if they so choose. It certainly isn't a perfect solution, and their web crawlers do make mistakes, but they generally have a way for you to submit amendments to their filter lists which would be updated within a day or so, whether it be a false positive, or a site they've missed (I used to work at a public school and the ISP we used was a little slow on blocking redtube... luckily we had our own local proxy filter in addition to theirs).

It's also nice to be able to just untick the use proxy box if you need to check if a site is a false positive, or if there are issues with the server. You'd just have to make sure your niece's account is locked down.

You could also do some simple blocking with the hosts file. There are a few around on the net which block malware hosts, probably stuff like last measure and other shitty sites too. You'd just have to look through them and figure out if they'd be worth using.

As for usage restrictions, being able to set a bedtime with the built in parental controls in vista would be handy. There's bound to be some third party software which lets you whitelist a bunch of apps she's allowed to use aswell (if it offers time restrictions on these, bonus. Something like "no IM after 8pm" could be a good rule). You might like to have a look at Trust No Exe , though I've no idea if it works with Vista or not (I'd try it out, but I don't use Vista).

Remember, there's no substitute for parental supervision (I do understand that this isn't always possible though).

Aergonaut

Perhaps try looking into how to use OpenDNS as a parental filter? I have not tried this method myself (no kids) but I hear it is effective and also very free.

Clipse

Two things:
(1) The only kind of "filter" that really works is the one where the family PC is in an open and frequently traveled area, and only accessible when one or both parents are home. Anything else is, at best, mostly secure.
(2) If you agree to set up any sort of filtering software, make sure your sister and brother-in-law are absolutely, painstakingly clear on the fact that it isn't perfect. Or else prepare to have a shit-ton of anger directed at you if it fails - and it will likely fail to some degree at some point.

rfalias

I think I'm going to combine OpenDNS with some time restrictions.
Had a look at it and OpenDNS seems really nice.
I still have to talk with my sister and see if that will be sufficient.

I think OpenDNS, with Windows account settings that restrict tampering with the computer settings and time restrictions will be a good start, and as she gets older they can always ease up on them too.

Here is kind of what I've come up with:

1) Create two accounts, one admin account with a GOOD password, one restrictive account for the normal user.
2) Configure OpenDNS via Admin account
3) Set usage restrictions (if they have Vista, I'll just use their time restrictions, else use something different).
4) Make sure the history is set to save for a long ass time, so in the event they wish to audit usage, they can easily do so.
5) Force usage of firefox, with noscript. Any other firefox addon suggestions?

I think that about covers it...

underdonk

You can spend all sorts of time figuring out solutions and money buying software, but nothing is going to make the Internet 100% "safe" for children. Make sure whoever you're putting this together for, regardless of the solution you choose, is aware of this and that the actions you are taking are "best effort".