Hi,
My son is getting to that "funny" age whereby I need to keep certain sites away from him.
Is there any way that I can block an IP address or certain keywords from his user settings so that it doesn't matter which browser he uses, he can't access them?
For example, I want to block the BBC websites wholesale or anything with the words Microsoft, MSN or Hotmail in the URL - you get the idea - but also an IP range such as 172.168.*.*
TTFN
Paul
On Sat, 30 May 2009 17:53:19 +0100 Paul wrote:
My son is getting to that "funny" age whereby I need to keep certain sites away from him.
You would probably be better off talking to him, and putting the computer in the living room or something instead of his bedroom. Both of those are better solutions than a purely technical approach. No matter how many sites you block, there is always one more....
Is there any way that I can block an IP address or certain keywords from his user settings so that it doesn't matter which browser he uses, he can't access them?
Paul wrote:
Hi,
My son is getting to that "funny" age whereby I need to keep certain sites away from him.
Is there any way that I can block an IP address or certain keywords from his user settings so that it doesn't matter which browser he uses, he can't access them?
I use Dansguardian and Tinyproxy for this. Works like a charm. All you do is set it up and then configure your sons' browser to use the proxy server. I have a 14 year old and it works perfectly for her.
Hope that helps.
jack
For example, I want to block the BBC websites wholesale or anything with the words Microsoft, MSN or Hotmail in the URL - you get the idea - but also an IP range such as 172.168.*.*
squidguard can sort of do it but there is so much iffy content on the net that you will need good block lists updated regularly. The other option is to use an ISP has aggressive filtering services available. Several UK ISPs do this as an add on or opt in service - especially those aimed at educational markets.
They do tend to backfire spectacularly on a regular basis of course.
You could also just log (or tell them you do anyway) all web page visits but if they hit something bad by mistake thats ok and to tell you...
I worked on a box that did filtering about twelve years ago and even then the blocklists (purely for porn) were heading for 10,000 entries and very incomplete.
Alan
Paul wrote:
Hi,
My son is getting to that "funny" age whereby I need to keep certain sites away from him.
Don't
Wouldn't you rather be able to talk to him about *taboo* subjects. Rather than have him go a a friend house\Cafe and do it without a parents guidance.
Frank
PS: 7 children, and just 45 :) PPS: same mother to above :D
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1
One fairly easy thing to do is to create an account at OpenDNS.com then set you DNS settings to use OpenDNS. You can then block sites by IP or by classification.
On 05/30/2009 11:53 AM, Paul wrote:
Hi,
My son is getting to that "funny" age whereby I need to keep certain sites away from him.
Is there any way that I can block an IP address or certain keywords from his user settings so that it doesn't matter which browser he uses, he can't access them?
For example, I want to block the BBC websites wholesale or anything with the words Microsoft, MSN or Hotmail in the URL - you get the idea - but also an IP range such as 172.168.*.*
TTFN
Paul
- --
Steve
Paul wrote:
For example, I want to block the BBC websites wholesale
WTF???
or anything with the words Microsoft, MSN or Hotmail in the URL
That at least won't block much in terms of useful content. :-D
Still, I think your blocks are far overreaching and still won't even get close to blocking all the "naughty" content out there. Blocking per IP or domain name is probably the most ineffective way to censor the Internet.
Kevin Kofler
Move the computer into the living room. It treats the kid like a semi-responsible person (which is one definition of a kid) and it admits to him you know you know you can't win all the time.
Paul wrote:
Hi,
My son is getting to that "funny" age whereby I need to keep certain sites away from him.
Is there any way that I can block an IP address or certain keywords from his user settings so that it doesn't matter which browser he uses, he can't access them?
For example, I want to block the BBC websites wholesale or anything with the words Microsoft, MSN or Hotmail in the URL - you get the idea - but also an IP range such as 172.168.*.*
You can add one line to iptables to log every outgoing TCP connect at the sync level, and then just browse the list in the log. Knowing you are doing this will help him learn about anonymous redirection networks, proxies, etc. It is unlikely that you will keep him in check unless you simply block everything except "pure" content.
If you block the BBC don't let him read the papers either, they report on sex and senseless violence.
On Sat, May 30, 2009 at 05:53:19PM +0100, Paul wrote:
Hi,
My son is getting to that "funny" age whereby I need to keep certain sites away from him.
Is there any way that I can block an IP address or certain keywords from his user settings so that it doesn't matter which browser he uses, he can't access them?
For example, I want to block the BBC websites wholesale or anything with the words Microsoft, MSN or Hotmail in the URL - you get the idea - but also an IP range such as 172.168.*.*
In the US most ISPs have parental tools that filter use those if you have them in the UK.
Some home network boxes have tools.
The best strategy is to block the entire family including yourself. Squid or another proxy tool is the foundation of more filters.
However children are clever. Nothing will keep them out when they want in. Kids have their own code words for 'stuff' and keep changing them...
Nifty Fedora Mitch wrote:
On Sat, May 30, 2009 at 05:53:19PM +0100, Paul wrote:
Hi,
My son is getting to that "funny" age whereby I need to keep certain sites away from him.
Is there any way that I can block an IP address or certain keywords from his user settings so that it doesn't matter which browser he uses, he can't access them?
For example, I want to block the BBC websites wholesale or anything with the words Microsoft, MSN or Hotmail in the URL - you get the idea - but also an IP range such as 172.168.*.*
In the US most ISPs have parental tools that filter use those if you have them in the UK.
Some home network boxes have tools.
The best strategy is to block the entire family including yourself. Squid or another proxy tool is the foundation of more filters.
However children are clever. Nothing will keep them out when they want in. Kids have their own code words for 'stuff' and keep changing them...
I just read an article that Microsofts new "Bing" search engine will show preview videos of porn. I guess you can "Bing" to the block.
I would look at the proxy issue and route the computer through a firewall/desktop server. Most desktops now come with two ports. A bit of wiring and home free. Block the mac address at the router/firewall to it will only work through the proxy/firewall.
It takes some time to learn the firewall rules but the proxy may make it easier.
I feel it is better to train your children and trust them. If they cannot feel free to discuss these issues at home, they will find it someplace else.
Have fun being a parent. I know that I am.
-
Alan Cox -
Bill Davidsen -
Frank Cox -
Frank Murphy -
George Yanos -
Jack Wallen -
Kevin Kofler -
Nifty Fedora Mitch -
Paul F. Johnson -
Robin Laing -
SternData