Web-Filtering for Kids

[accadacca]

I'm sure this has been discussed before. Has anyone used Net Nanny or a better program?

[Sombeech]

just be sure to put bogley on the unblock list

[BruteForce]

I have used a cloud-based solution for the past few years. I use Dyndns.org and simply have all outbound DNS redirect to their servers. They provide DNS and URL/Content filtering that can include a customized screen when an inappropriate web site is accessed.

[DiscGo]

I prepared the email below and sent it to some friends last year. I hope this is helpful:


In the face of a barrage of stories and statistics showing what a threat and how common pornography is on the internet for children at younger and younger ages, I am writing you as your friend to offer up some free ideas of what I suggest to help protect for home & family. The first thing I recommend is that you set up a content filter on your network to protect your family while surfing the internet.
We are currently using a mixture of two different content filters in our home, and I would recommend them both.
OpenDNS

Open DNS is the first layer of content filtering we have at our home.
Simple Explanation: OpenDNS gets set up on either your router or a home computer, and it blocks all devices using your network (wired or wireless) from accessing the content/category of various subjects (pornography, gambling, lingerie, drugs, etc.).
Detailed Explanation:

DNS is the like the phone-book for the internet. When you type Google.com into your web-browser your computer does not actually go to Google.com. It checks with its DNS server and asks it to translate Google.com into an IP address (the same way a phone book might translate a business name into a phone number for you). Your computer then goes to an IP address (like 69.169.182.84) but translates it back from an IP address into a name so you can keep track of the website on which you are surfing.
OpenDNS has to get set up for your network, and then you tell it what categories to block (pornography, malware, game sites, etc.) and when your computer asks OpenDNS to help you find a site (like http://www.internetbadguys.com

) your computer receives a blocked message saying you aren't allowed to visit this site. Basically making so that your computer can't find the sites related to the blocked content.OpenDNS can be found here

http://www.opendns.com/

Pros:
It is a network wide solution
oIphones
oiPads
oLaptops
oDesktops
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[Scott P]

We're used K9 (which is mentioned above) and it does work and does what it is supposed to, but be aware that it really does seem to slow down your internet.

[phatch]

If your kids are tech savy or have a techie friend, the best thing is to filter at your ISP level or at your router/modem level if you have that ability. Solutions based at the local computer are fairly easily bypassed. At it's simplest, a flash drive with a bootable linux install will leave no traces at the computer and bypass the local controls. While there are ways to lock a computer down to prevent this, it's not something often done in homes.

[BruteForce]

If your kids are tech savy or have a techie friend, the best thing is to filter at your ISP level or at your router/modem level if you have that ability. Solutions based at the local computer are fairly easily bypassed. At it's simplest, a flash drive with a bootable linux install will leave no traces at the computer and bypass the local controls. While there are ways to lock a computer down to prevent this, it's not something often done in homes.

So for the purposes of my solution (Dyndns.org), I have my router/firewall perform the DNS lookup to Dyndns. I then block direct DNS queries (TCP/UDP 53) from going out via any IP address on my home network. Problem solved.

[accadacca]

Thanks everyone! Awesome! Sorry to hear Dan. Your advice is excellent though, much appreciated.

[accadacca]

I've been messing with openDNS for 90 minutes and no love. Trying to set it up through my AirPort Extreme. Everything is set right...no filtering.