[ILoveLabs]

Hello everyone!

I am hoping someone can help me out I have already set-up a personal user account for my daughter.

I would like her to have access to all non-Internet related applications on my desktop. Additionally, I would like to be able to specificy exactly which internet related applications she can access (dictionary.com, etc.) verses having a 'general' setting.

If there is a way to do this without it cosing any money, that would be great; otherwise I am open to suggestions that must be purchased.

I really appreciate your input and suggestions.
Thanks

[lunarlander]

Are you using Vista ? There is a Content Advisor that is part of IE7 so that is free. Use the windows Help and Support and query for 'parental control'. Content Advisor is the first thing on the answers list.

[Frank4d]

While you are figuring out the best way to restrict access you can use a hosts file to block access to certain sites. On a Windows XP system it is a text file (editable using Notepad) in C:\Windows\system32\drivers\etc.

The format to enter is 127.0.0.1 (space or tab) then website you want to block. The following blocks Myspace, AIM, Youtube and Facebook:

127.0.0.1 youtube.com
127.0.0.1 www.youtube.com
127.0.0.1 facebook.com
127.0.0.1 www.facebook.com
127.0.0.1 myspace.com
127.0.0.1 www.myspace.com
127.0.0.1 63.208.226.219
127.0.0.1 63.208.226.24
127.0.0.1 63.208.226.25
127.0.0.1 63.208.226.28
127.0.0.1 63.208.226.40
127.0.0.1 63.208.226.41
127.0.0.1 63.208.226.42
127.0.0.1 63.208.226.43
127.0.0.1 login.oscar.aol.com:443
127.0.0.1 login.oscar.aol.com
127.0.0.1 toc.oscar.aol.com
127.0.0.1 login.icq.com

Note: This won't stop a tech saavy 13-14 year-old for long though.

[ILoveLabs]

Thanks so much for the suggestions. We are using Windows XP.

How about blocking any chatting/instant messaging? Or would this already be in place because of her being set-up as a Limited User.

I think there are some chatting programs that are only online (you don't have to download an application).

Really appreciate the guidance.

[lunarlander]

You can also use NTFS to prohibit certain accounts to use a program. For example, if you want to ban Internet Explorer, you can right click on \Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplorer , choose Properties then the Security tab. ( XP Home users will need to boot into Safe mode to see the Security tab ) Add that user name to the list and choose Deny for every privilege.

As a limited user, she cannot install programs, so that takes care of most instant messaging applications.

Yes, there are online versions of chat apps. You can use Frank4d's HOST file method of denying access to them. But if you used NTFS security to ban internet explorer ( and firefox if you have it ) then this is a non-issue.

[jsparky77]

Kaspersky Internet Security comes with Parental Controls. I find them easy to use and they password protect the settings the people you want to control can't change the settings.

You can also manually block and allow specific sites.

[Ryoushi]

I too would go with JSparky's suggestion and use Kaspersky Internet Security. My sister uses the parental controls on there for her daughter, though she also uses another program. I can't remember the name for the other right now but I'll get it for you if you wish. They both have a blacklist & whitelist, meaning you can choose individually which websites you wish you block.

Hope I helped!
-Ryoushi.

[stugo]

there is also monitering programs out there(google them) that can silently record any thing she is typing and any webpages she is going too..

at our school they have a box(between computers and internet) that blocks all the proxy site and proxy/p2p ports also it blocks inappropriate sites by determining the content(with keywords) and builds a database.
They also have accounts for students, so they recourd any thing you type or do on the computer and that gets added to your permanent record(and they don't distroy it after 5 years, thanks to huge harddrives)
And you can find names from google... and check out reviews to see it they are any good.

Edit: you can also install this program from microsoft that keeps system settings from being changed.. they get reseted afterthe next boot.

[lunarlander]

Since this is the security forum, a concern is maintaining the security of your PC. If you use your PC for internet banking and purchases, you need to keep the PC clean of malware, spyware etc. Contrary to common belief, a limited account can still install software, but only not to the Program Files folder. Children usually don't concern themselves with your security, their thinking is more like 'I want it work, lets download this and try". My friend's children's PC is so loaded with malware that she avoids using the PC for anything important, and uses telephone banking. Your first post says you want to ban all internet programs. Its a little draconian, but it will keep your PC clean. If you want to implement that, the NTFS restriction will work. But most teenagers need to search the web to do research for homework, and I think using Parental control software is a better route. I don't know if Parental control software can forbid downloading applications or downloading in general, but in my house there is a No Downloads policy. I explain to my child that Mommy uses the same PC for internet banking, and if you inadverdently load spyware on the PC, our money will be stolen. So far that explanation is working.

[HCD]

Lunarlander has my vote. If you have a wireless router that is the main access point you can block particular sites via the router's firewall......usually under categories of gambling etc.