Internet filters ?

[Fnaar]

Does anyone know of (preferably freeware) internet content filters that can be used (Windows 7) to variably limit content for the youngsters? The important thing is that I want one THAT IS CONFIGURABLE FOR DIFFERENT 'ACCOUNTS' ON A PC (there are 5 of us, kids of varying ages, all log in to our own 'version' of the PC). Fed up faffing about putting in password etc, changing for different users and so on, with available filters on IE).
Thanks in advance

 

[matc]

Freeware, I don't think so. This is, and I happily used it for years until I needed multiple accounts. Maybe it now has them, but I don't think so. Today use netnanny again - it went off the boil for a while, but is now once more one of the best, and will easily allow you to configure 'per age/account'. Copes with chat and 'social meejah' also.

Logging, remote access, all bells 'n whistles. Not particularly easy to get round either, should you have a pack of l33t haxxx0rs.

 

[Carwash]

You want to be careful with content filters - Google might get in a huff and decide they don't want to play with you any more. ('Fnaar out of Tibet!' etc etc)

 

[Fnaar]

Thanks folks. Had looked at K9, but it's that multiple account thing...

 

[phil_hg_uk]

Kaspersky Internet Security has parental controls and can be assign on a per account basis.

 

[Night Train]

One thing that I liked about AOL when I first got it was that it allowed 7 screen names to log online with and two could be set as master screen names where the other screen names could be 'managed' with parental controls.

I used to use a screen name set to age 12 and under for browsing to ensure no unsolicited (rude) content was descovered while I was using my laptop at work.

 

[2Loose]

This is just my opinion, and is slightly off topic - maybe I will change my mind when my daughter is older, but I believe that teaching responsible net use is better than enforcing it.

Having the kids computer in sight of an adult, or even logging use and then discussing the sites that were visited with the child would give better results.
Having a chat about what sites they have visited the day afterwards lets them know that they are being monitored, but are allowed to use their judgement and so to be cautious.
The 'Do what you want, just don't get into trouble' message.

Parental controls are great until the child goes to their mates to find out why certain sites were blocked or whatever.

Also, considering the fact that so much happens in mySpace or Facebook or whatever, some of it fine, some of it not so savoury, perhaps just talking about these things would be better in the longer term because you can't just block those (and their social life) can you?

Just my tuppence.

 

[2Loose]

This is just my opinion, and is slightly off topic - maybe I will change my mind when my daughter is older, but I believe that teaching responsible net use is better than enforcing it.

Having the kids computer in sight of an adult, or even logging use and then discussing the sites that were visited with the child would give better results.
Having a chat about what sites they have visited the day afterwards lets them know that they are being monitored, but are allowed to use their judgement and so to be cautious.
The 'Do what you want, just don't get into trouble' message.

Parental controls are great until the child goes to their mates to find out why certain sites were blocked or whatever.

Also, considering the fact that so much happens in mySpace or Facebook or whatever, some of it fine, some of it not so savoury, perhaps just talking about these things would be better in the longer term because you can't just block those (and their social life) can you?

Just my tuppence.

 

[ASC1951]

Just my tuppence.

You may need to re-word that. Fnaar's existing filter probably has a block on people showing their tuppence.

 

[ASC1951]

Just my tuppence.

You may need to re-word that. Fnaar's existing filter probably has a block on people showing their tuppence.

 

[chris667]

Is it one site you want to block, or a whole genre of sites? And which version of Windows are you running?

 

[chris667]

Is it one site you want to block, or a whole genre of sites? And which version of Windows are you running?

 

[yenrod]

On Vista which I run, I can as admin; though not many use this apart from me; set various parameters - aint that the case on Win.7 ??????

 

[yenrod]

On Vista which I run, I can as admin; though not many use this apart from me; set various parameters - aint that the case on Win.7 ??????

 

[ufkacbln]

I think there are two issues here...

It may be possible to allow your child to roam the net and do so safely, with a degree of common sense and responsibility.

However there is a lot of stuff that will creep through and this can be monitored and removed by this type of software.

You are not neccesarily restricting their use, just making it simpler and easier.

Let me give an example. Suppose they want to look up an actress - it will allow them to do so, but will remove the sex scenes and fake nude pictures.