TheFeniX

One thing you should know (and probably already do): url based filtering (which I think all free filters are) is not 100% effective. Sites like whitehouse.com pay thousands for systems that are specifically designed to defeat content filters. Just letting you know that some things may slip through, but netnanny, cybercop, and others like weblocker are about as good as you can get for the price.

__________________

=DdogG=

a 2wire 100 router is a corporate level firewall, url AND ip address content filtering, has a timer (only allows traffic from this time to this time) it also does not matter the vehicle.... (if you don't want them using chat programs, the programs, port, ip and url are all blocked. there is no way around it.) want to visit wwwdotasianteensdotcom, typing in the ip or using netscape to bypass ie and aol's will not get you there.

an AMAZING product with more features than any other router i've ever seen. can do hpna, wireless, usb, AND ehternet and let them all talk to each other.

the non wireless is only like 60.00 I think.

__________________
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former. -Albert Einstein
The two most common elements in the universe are Hydrogen and stupidity. -Harlan Ellison

If all else fails: "rm -rf /"

dragon

WOW, I must be sick or the world is ending but I agree with DdogG on this one. I picked up my 2wire 100 / wireless on ebay for $50 and it was practically new. Software wise I like the feel and managabiliyt of NetNanny 5.1. Being a new daddy I have been researching the issue of kids and the internet and even though their mom dont like the idea of them on a computer for a while it is a very useful tool to build skills that will be needed later. Like hand eye coridination and memory. Even kids programs need internet too. So protect them at all costs.

__________________
WARNING: DO NOT LET DR. MARIO TOUCH YOUR GENITALS. HE IS NOT A REAL DOCTOR.

DudeMan

both net nanny and cyber cop are crap alll you need to know is how to back door them and you can go to alot of places.

and trust me if your son goes to a school like the one i went to man he will know how to do this by the time he is 12,

DdogG#s program looks like its more effective only it means alot of hassel if you are on at the times when all the filters are in action.

TheFeniX

That's the reason I like hardware filter system such as the Watchguard Firewall SOHO. They aren't cheap, but there is no way to disable them as they are a router/firewall/content filter. You could replace your current linksys/D-Link router with one. They also offer a built in Wireless access point version too. Since they sit in-line: disabling them kills your Internet as well. They also offer a nice page when something is blocked that allows you to enter in a password to allow access to the site. If it's blocked, your kid asks you for the password. You inpt it and see what he wants to view. It also allows logging of sites it's blocked.

It's not perfect, but our customers complain less about it than any other filter.

What you could do on filters like netnanny is setup the server service to use something like port 8080, and completely block outgoing port 80 requests on your router. This way, if they went to Tools>Internet Options> connection and disabled the proxy server, they would be unable to access the Internet at all.

Most schools are easily crackable because the Tech Staff is either uncaring or not as knowledgable about security as they should be.

__________________

DudeMan

well they used net nanny and god it was useless.

=DdogG=

the 2wire IS a hardware solution....... its a brand of router like netgear and linksys. the us robotics 802.11g router I just got is a nice one for this stuff too, but no where near the 2wire.

__________________
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former. -Albert Einstein
The two most common elements in the universe are Hydrogen and stupidity. -Harlan Ellison

If all else fails: "rm -rf /"

TheFeniX

Yea, but that's a failing of them for insecure setup. What they probably did was just run a script (God help them if they set them all up manually) that told the browser to use x.x.x.x:x as the proxy server, but left port 80 open to regular use. All you would have to do is uncheck the proxy and you get through just fine. That's a failing of the Network Admin, not the software. Luck you, the filtering we setup make life a lot harder for students to bypass.

I would have a Hell of a time getting around it without the passwords. I don't know if I even could at some of the sites we've done.

__________________

SamHamwich

Cobra, show your kid this site, seems to keep my brother interested for the whole time hes on and hes the same age, http://www.neopets.com/. Hope that can help him keep interested in stuff he should be!

Apophis

I've read all the other responses.. mine is simple..

Block everything. Only allow domains you want him going to.

__________________
Diplomacy is the art of saying "good doggie" while looking for a bigger stick.

Apophis

Please please please please don't say that.. :-) I know they post it on their site, but a hardened corporate firewall with a packet switching engine fast enough to deliver gigabit and beyond traffic through complex firewall rulesets isn't cheap.

But that's just on a technogeek standpoint..

We are talking about keeping an 8 year old off the porn sites. I don't think he's Kevin Mitnick Jr, is he? ;-)

__________________
Diplomacy is the art of saying "good doggie" while looking for a bigger stick.

Emanon

I wish i knew about dirty things when i was 8 actually nm. I personally didnt even think about that stuff till I was 13-15. I enjoyed the child life as much as possible.