Parental controls for the internet

[ski_mom]

We are hooking up somewhat of a computer network at home where both of our computers are going to be able to use our DSL to be on the internet. The kids are starting to need to be on more for school, etc. Anyway, I want to find some type of controls that will either block certain sites and/or that will let us know where all they have been.

I really don't know anything about these types of programs, so I just wondered what others used and what you like/don't like about them.

Thanks for any opinions/advice!
Becky

 

[hydster]

We have 4 computers on our home network and all 4 of them are outfitted with this
http://www.k9webprotection.com/

It's really great and free is the best part. DH is in IT and we have found this to be the best one out there for OUR family. You can see what sites were accessed or tried to be accessed and if you as an adult need to access it you can for 15 min at a time just by filling in your password.

We love it!

 

[rhonhod]

A friend of ours has THE NET NANNY.

 

[problemchild718]

PCTATTLETALE Is great

 

[Toby'sFriend]

netnanny is a good program but it also has a couple of backdoors and the kids pass the information around between them on how to defeat it.

The most universally highly rated product is webwatcher

http://www.webwatcherkids.com/features.php

It is a little pricey, but it works extremely well. You can customize different limits for different kids etc. You can also monitor what the kids are doing at home while you are at work.

 

[Plantlady]

I tried installing a program once.. when I restarted my computer, the entire thing locked up, and told me that forbidden sites had been accessed, and the internet was being locked..

I uninstalled it.

I *know* nothing was accessed. The computer that the kids use is in a public room, and we keep an eye on them. When friends come over, I keep an even closer eye on them. (The friends coming over, is what prompted me to install anything to begin with.)