Spyware, viruses, & security : How do you keep your kids safe online?
- 4/2/07 2:22 PM
iBoss
by superhifi - 4/24/07 12:27 PM In reply to: Er, sorry. But I think you paid a bit much. by ArchusArchus,
I also have the iBoss and have been using it for over a year now. The Linksys WRT is NOT a content filter you would even consider. Typical router with so called controls. If you enjoy entering all the site you "Think" your kids will visit then its the one for you. Have you even purchased one to make this claim? Are you currently using the filter? I read alot of reviews and am activlely searching for great filtering and have to say that yes the iBoss has limitations in that I would like to monitor chat rooms conversations but if you have 3 kids each with there own computer, its really cheap for what you get. I was using software but besides it being bypassed by my kids with software hacks and the HUGE feeling of intruding on my kids to install it on there computer, I felt as if I was degrading my trust in them and babying them. This was installed, non intrusive, and VERY powerful. Suggest a try
Look at this link
by superhifi - 4/24/07 12:40 PM In reply to: iBoss by superhifihttp://www.techdirt.com/articles/20060419/0949255.shtml
This will give you an idea of what kids are up too. They are actively finding bypasses for these filters. Very interesting. But the language, what is with this. I know we all had our lingo but this is just horrible
incorrect
by mstarcom - 10/18/07 1:34 AM In reply to: Er, sorry. But I think you paid a bit much. by ArchusLinksys used to contract with Netopia for filtering on this device, but the filterning service has long been discontinued. Also, back when they did offer it, it was not free.
...Bad experience with the Snoopstick
by InsertCleverUserNameHere - 4/12/07 10:08 AM In reply to: I like the iBoss filter by InsertCleverUserNameHereSnoopstick didn't work worth squat -- it failed to install properly on two different computers; it shut down the internet connection on both; then it woulnd't UNINSTALL, and I had to use System Restore to get rid of it. If it worked as advertised, it would be great, but I'm never touching it again.
However, the company did right by me -- they returned my call almost immediately, walked me through the restore process on both pc's, and refunded me the purchase price. If only the product worked as well as the customer service!
Most Important Topic!
by yukiuk - 4/10/07 12:44 PM In reply to: How do you keep your kids safe online? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
This is such a relevant topic and one, I'm sure will continue to grow in importance. My kids are grown up now but my grandchildren are all heavily into computers and the net. My eldest son has 5 children and he expressed to me his concerns over them accessing inappropriate sites. He was also concerned about their use of 'chat programs' and the dodgy characters who use these sites. So I did some investigating, and this is what I found:
There is a very good FREE program available called "K9 Web Protection" which denies access to any sites within designated genres. It is password protected and, as long as the kids don't know the password they cannot disable it, change any of the settings or access any banned sites. The parent or guardian, however can still visit any site they wish by simply applying the password. My son now has this program installed and it works wonderfully well, I highly recommend it to any concerned parent.
Programs which monitor and report chat room activity are another matter. There are no freebies that I can find and there are lots of commercial releases to choose from. After some serious scrutiny I decided to try "Stealth Chat Monitor 1.5", it costs $19.95 (which is at the lower end of the scale) and offers a 5 day free trial. I found that it worked very well. It is well hidden and can only be accessed by applying a designated password. I struck a small problem when it would not display the reports, so I sent an email to their 'support team'. Their prompt reply indentified and explained the reason for the problem and gave a succesful solution. I was all ready to buy the product and began the process when I was directed to their registration page, that's when I struck a snag. Boy, did they ask for some personal information, too much, much more than I deemed was necessary or warranted. Some people may not be put off by that but I am always wary of giving TOO much information so, after consultation with my son we decided not to go ahead and have temporarily put the project on hold. Sorry I can't be of more help, but if anyone knows of a good and inexpensive chat monitor program they can recommend please let me know. Good luck to all you concerned parents (and grand parents), I hope my contribution has been some help.
Regards JIMBO
A way to keep children safe
by crazyheart232 - 4/13/07 4:55 PM In reply to: Most Important Topic! by yukiukThere is a way to keep our children safe online for those that are interested visit tuki.com
I Used Two Things When My Kids Were Younger..
by Grif Thomas - 4/5/07 10:58 AM
In reply to: How do you keep your kids safe online? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
First, I used a HOSTS file to block inappropriate sites from being accessable on any browser.. (I also "hid" the folder where the HOSTS file resides and setup "limited" accounts for each user..)
For those interested, see the link below:
How To Use A HOSTS File
Second, I had the computer setup in a room where we all could see any activity going on.. Nothing was secret. At the time, we had ONE computer and ONE television.. Both were in a common room where everyone could see what the other was doing.
I never really had any computer-related problems with either of my girls or the friends they brought over to the house.
Hope this helps.
Grif
Impractical?
by packjazz - 4/12/07 5:56 AM In reply to: I Used Two Things When My Kids Were Younger.. by Grif Thomas
In order for the HOSTS file method to work, don't you need to list EACH inapropriate website seperately in the file? If that's the case, there is no way you'd be able to list all of the potentially inapropriate websites on the internet. Maybe I'm not understanding the concept, but this seems like an impractical approach.
The HOSTS File I Use Already Has Them..
by Grif Thomas - 4/12/07 8:07 AM
In reply to: Impractical? by packjazz
It's not impractical at all.. EVERY bad site I have problems with is there.. In addition, it's updated frequently.. Currently, the HpHOSTS file I use has 58,523 "bad" sites listed.
Of course, if you know about any additional sites, the HOSTS file can easily be updated...or you can submit the site to the HpHOSTS site and they'll add it to the file.
Hope this helps.
Grif
Not a good idea. New bad site coming out eveyday.
by yuhaian - 4/13/07 1:53 PM In reply to: The HOSTS File I Use Already Has Them.. by Grif Thomas
You cannot catch them all. hosts file can be easily located for a kids with even a few experience on computer.
But I like the list of sites. May be a tiny software in service to block this is a better way. Kids use only limited account. This software have to update its list of bad sites from online.
Good Idea For All My Customers...HOSTS File Is Updated..
by Grif Thomas - 4/14/07 10:12 PM
In reply to: Not a good idea. New bad site coming out eveyday. by yuhaian
...frequently. In fact, we use a HOSTS file in our office environment as well. It prevents almost ALL spyware infections, as well as incorrect surfing of "bad" sites. Still, nothing's perfect...
And if my kids tinkered with the HOSTS file, they lost computer privileges. When my kids were going to junior high school & high school, we only had one computer and they didn't want to take the chance of losing those privileges. Same with my employees at work.
Hope this helps.
Grif
online safety
by 2handsmm - 4/10/07 12:43 PM In reply to: How do you keep your kids safe online? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Lee, this is Such a timely topic! As a single parent of an 11yo daughter, I am so interested in tools/ideas that can help this one pair of eyes do a better job of monitoring her internet experiences. I did move her computer down to the living room as her need for internet use grew (schoolwork) this year. I do not allow any instant messaging or chat room use; I can access her email at any time-even remotely since I know her password etc having set up her acct; and have downloaded a free program called HOOPAA that alerts me/sends summary list of all websites she visits. I can block any websites she's visited (or add any as pre-emptive protection) thru their website. It is-and they emphasize that it is-- strictly a monitoring tool- it does Not judge websites or rate them for you-the parent must still stay involved and make those calls.
I chose this program after having tried for a year the Parental Control feature offered by Earthlink, which we found to be too restrictive (& not customizable) for her age range. I know Hoopaa is not the be-all end-all answer, but I feel it's a good next step for us. As others before me have stated, protection definitely needs to start, and end with the continued involvement of parents and maintaining good communication with our children as they grow.
Perfect Protection...so far
by edadusa - 4/6/07 6:18 PM In reply to: How do you keep your kids safe online? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
A couple of years ago we got a virus and installed a new wireless router with a good firewall. That router also provided Parental Control software for a small yearly fee ($49). In that time our children (ages 11-16) have never had a bad experience. We had one e-mail slip in just a month ago that showed a side shot of a nude woman (for male enhancements) and that was the first time it has come close to objectionable material. You have the option to block domains that you want, allow those that you agree to, and set those levels for each child (or adult).
Rick
www.TheDigitalLife.net
For users who don't use router
by Donna Buenaventura - 4/6/07 8:44 PM
In reply to: Perfect Protection...so far by edadusa
There is free tools/utilities that will protect kids in visiting bad websites:
1. IE-SPYAD adds a long list of sites and domains associated with known advertisers, marketers, and crapware pushers to the Restricted sites zone of Internet Explorer. Once you merge this list of sites and domains into the Registry, the web sites for these companies will not be able to use cookies, ActiveX controls, Java applets, or scripting to compromise your privacy or your PC while you surf the Net. Nor will they be able to use your browser to push unwanted pop-ups, cookies, or auto-installing programs on your PC. It also have adults.reg that has long list of adult sites that is added in the restricted sites of IE.
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/uiuc/resource.htm
2. Like Grif said, a 3rd party HOSTS file will help in blocking bad sites:
HOSTS File - replacing the default HOSTS file in Windows will help in stopping the communication with websites that is known to install or inject malware or parasites.
MVPS Hosts - http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm
hpHosts - http://support.it-mate.co.uk/?mode=Products&p=hphosts
3. SiteHound - this is freeware and they also offer a paid version.
SiteHound - this toolbar will block the site that is known Rogue or Suspect Product distributors. It will also block many other website that posed security threat to the user. Firetrust offers free and paid versions of SiteHound. Browser supported: IE, Firefox
http://www.firetrust.com/en/products/sitehound
Note: SiteHound will automatically block the user of viewing/loading the porn sites too in real-time that is known to its database as porn sites.
Reply to: For users who don't use router
by yukiuk - 4/7/07 3:49 PM In reply to: For users who don't use router by Donna Buenaventura
Hi Donna - The issue here is children accessing inappropriate sites, NOT spyware and adware.
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