Free Security Filter???

Family friends wants to stop their kids from accessing bad sites (they are pretty young) but the Content Filter in IE doesn't seem to work well seeing how a lot of sites aren't rated...Something simple and password protected would be lovely

 

If they use Windows Vista, they could activate the parental controls functionality included in the OS. It contains a dynamic website filtering system that's different than IE's in that it doesn't rely on people rating their websites. They would have to create standard user accounts for each child. More Info here: http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/585539d0-0862-41e4-9b39-53467648efc51033.mspx

Another free tool, is Windows Live Family Safety. Once setup, WLFS works using a dynamically updated filtering system similar to the one used by internet services like MSN and AOL. The advantages of WLFS is that it can be installed on Windows XP, and parents can change settings and approve websites on the fly from work from a secure website, those alone may make it a worthwhile alternative to Vista's parental controls. More info here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Live_OneCare_Family_Safety and have a parent log onto here w/ their Windows Live ID (A.K.A hotmail account) to get started: http://fss.live.com/

One drawback to WLFS is the lack of integration that it has with the OS-They'll have to create Windows Live accounts for each family member-themselves included-in order to set and maintain restrictions. (although if the parents already have a hotmail account, they can just set up ones for the kids) Each user also will have to sign into the WLFS software before starting an online session, in order to activate the connection and have WLFS apply restrictions.

So I'd say that if the family uses Windows Vista, have them try the Windows Vista Parental Controls (have them disable the IE Content Filter first) If they use XP, then have them try WLFS, again with IE's own Content Filter turned off.

Good Luck
Ricky

 

Anything a little...easier? Don't think they are going to want to setup accounts for each member of the family...

 

Hmm... There's AOL Parental Controls (it's now a standalone app) but it also requires a screenname for each child...

Are you sure they couldn't create one account for both children? (If they are close in age, they could probably get away with it)

What Operating System are they running?

 

Of course they could, I guess it would be nice to just have a standalone app or program or add on that works like the IE Content Filter, but actually works, lol... Basically something like set password - tick of words or types of content not allowed - save - done. Running XP