security for a kids pc

[jinkie]

hello can anyone help my with my kids pc a would like to change the settings so no websites with chatrooms can be viewed the os is vista is there anything on the os that can help thanks

[MrFug]

Have a look in your routers settings. It's possible to block certain websites, services, port ranges etc.

[Reapers]

youll have to setup a new user without administrator privileges
and customize the options you want
*make sure the main adminstrator account has password on.*

this shows you how

How do I set up parental controls? - Parental control software - Child safety at home - Which? Baby & child

if you want more control youll need to get parental control software on the pc

examples

Net Nanny

http://www.netnanny.co.uk/

features

http://www.netnanny.co.uk/net_nanny_video_tour.htm

k9 web protection (free)

http://www1.k9webprotection.com/

features

http://www1.k9webprotection.com/aboutk9/overview

[TheCoder]

Unfortunately there's no real way to do this properly as kids are often far more PC savvy than their parents and can get around just about any restrictions in minutes.

Generally, website blocking is pointless as proxies are so prevelant. The only solution would be to block all websites/ip's which effectively makes the internet unusable (you may as well just unplug the modem).

The majority of 'nanny' software is also pretty pointless. I've seen 7/8 year olds get past those in minutes. Same thing with windows security. Savvy kids can get through it likes it not there. Even the less savvy kids are usually observant enough to remember the 'adult' accounts and passwords if given half a chance.

As far as PC's are concerned there's really no alternative to parental supervision. Put the PC in a common room and make a rule that the kids can only use it whilst an adult is actually present. Sounds tough but if you dont then the kids will almost certainly find a way around any restrictions.

Also, remember a lot of kids have smartphones these days so can browse all kinds of stuff using those. They probably dont need to use the home PC !

[jinkie]

thanks for all the help

[Rodbouy]

Use a safe keylogger to monitor what they are using, then use the sites you dont like they are on and restrict them via the router.

For as long as they dont get on to the router settings they cant change it.

If they begin to use proxies then by the keylogger you will be able to see what they are using and block it.

Keeping you one step ahead

[TheCoder]

...For as long as they dont get on to the router settings they cant change it.

Most routers can be reset to default values relatively easily, often via an external reset button. Kids are quite capable of looking up the relevant procedures. I've even heard of routers being 'replaced' by identical models aquired via car boots etc.

Most keyloggers are also very easy to spot and negate, especially once the kids realise that you must be monitoring them, which they almost certainly will once you block a few of their favourite sites. Kids really can be hyper-suspicious when they think they are being thwarted.

Maybe i'm giving kids too much credit but in my experience any parent that needs to ask about this stuff is likely already into a losing game.

[happy_highlander]

I think you are spot on coder. The best internet security for kids is information. If you are concerned enough to worry about what the kids are looking at then you clearly have a good relationship with them, monitor what they are looking at yes, but then speak to them about it, doesn't have to be a lecture, even go on the sites with them if you have to and explain your reasons. If this is a female child the chances are they won't listen anyway because just like their mum they think they always know better.

[Rodbouy]

Most routers can be reset to default values relatively easily, often via an external reset button. Kids are quite capable of looking up the relevant procedures. I've even heard of routers being 'replaced' by identical models aquired via car boots etc.

Most keyloggers are also very easy to spot and negate, especially once the kids realise that you must be monitoring them, which they almost certainly will once you block a few of their favourite sites. Kids really can be hyper-suspicious when they think they are being thwarted.

Maybe i'm giving kids too much credit but in my experience any parent that needs to ask about this stuff is likely already into a losing game.

No you are right to think that way,

But it all depends I suppose on how savy the parent is.

There are a few good keyloggers out there that will work really well with out them realising for as long as you change the default prompt and password protect it.

For changing the router The parent would notice right away as the network would then have been changed, ie passwords or showing un-secure network.

So there would have to be a hell of a lot done for the Parent not to notice that there has been some sort of system change.

But it can be done and if the kid is at that level then your right the parent is loosing the battle.

[TheCoder]

For changing the router The parent would notice right away as the network would then have been changed, ie passwords or showing un-secure network.

So there would have to be a hell of a lot done for the Parent not to notice that there has been some sort of system change.

If the parents are tech savvy then your probably right but your average parent barely knows what a router is and has almost certainly never touched it since the 'tech' guy installed it.

Regardless of that, setting a router up (for a savvy kid) is the job of minutes. They could probably even change the router mac so the same external IP is allocated.

This knowledge gap gives kids a massive advantage. To them (or quite a few of them) this kind of stuff is part of daily life and they soon learn to master the technology thats leaving their parent behind. Thats why I made the comment about "if you have to ask, then you've already lost" because if you dont understand it, then you have little chance of controlling it.

[darcu5]

ok, i have similar problem with daughter, i wouldnt bother trying to block a site, as there is always another exactly like it, i kept blocking utube and other sites for watchin films and d/l songs, but every time i blocked one she would find something similar, even foreign sites i'd never heard of ,
My temp fix was to limit her activity on the net to 10gb a month then it shuts off, i have opened an account on her laptop making me the admin, set times it comes on and turns off, installed net meter on my account so it shows how much internet usage she uses, it has a password and she cannot do anything with it as she needs admin rights, which is also locked, i have unblocked all the sites tho as i would rather her go on utube then some of the other site knocking about out there, set her a utube account with age limitations, i have also found that with software called 'teamviewer 6' i can remotely access her computer from mine and watch her activity if i choose to, i can check what she has been on, rather then go into her room and start looking at her laptop,
This isn't a permanent fix as i am looking for a router which i can install dd-wrt on as that will allow me to limit her access more then trying to do it on the laptop..

[TheCoder]

dd-wrt is a good option and, if your savvy enough to set that up, then you have a good chance of partly winning the battle, at least for a while. Note though that you'll have almost no chance of blocking a competent teenager from any website they wish to visit regardless of how you set the router (except for turning it OFF). A simple vpn will effectively bypass any router filtering controls thus limiting you to bandwidth controls only.

The rest of it though can be pretty pointless. Kids these days can often get around Microsofts fairly pathetic security in minutes so talk of Administrator rights etc is a very temporary stopgap method at best. Even bios locking can be defeated easily enough by a determined teenager.

[Puffingweed]

This site is not free but depending on how bad your kids are it might be the best fiver your ever spend. You will have totaly control on what, when, and how much internet they have.

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