I have a thirteen year old son and we are going to get internet for his computer because he is having more homework needs for it and it bogs down own computer. Any suggestions for a security system for it? I have heard about "Net Nanny" but which is best? I want to restrict certain websites/exposure.
Thank you!
C.
monitoringsoftwarereviews.org reviews all the major options. It seems to recommend Web Watcher, but check out the site and see what you think. That program allows you to monitor his computer from yours and to record where he goes. Give the site a look, as different programs address different concerns with teens on the computer. :)
A.
I have AT & T Yahoo, and I am very happy with the parental control that they supply. You can set it, from minimum to maximum security, so, you can adjust the filters to the appropriate age, You can set it up, where they will notify you of the different alerts. My daughter is going to be 11 yrs. old, and I have had it since she was 6, and we have grown with it, and I wouldn't change it. I think its awesome. You can also research the history, to see what they were doing. It is also great, because there is no seperate software. Good Luck!
C.,
I have program called Safe Keepers. It is wonderful. You can put it on more than 1 computer. You can block what ever site you want. You can also see how long he has been on the computer and were he has been. You can look at it online at www.mysafekeeper.
I hope this works for you.
Good Luck
J.
We use SpectorPro. It records EVERYTHING! You can block sites, programs, etc. I love it! When installing you use a stealth mode and no one can see it's installed on the computer! He'd never know, my kids don't! Good luck.
Mom to four VERY watched kids! LOL
Maybe consumer reports has some best buys to pick from
Speaking as a software developer, parent, and former school teacher, it's a LOT tougher than you think. Just about any program you can think of, he can probably figure out how to subvert it if he's determined. There are even a handful of programs on the internet that you can put on CD or USB drive, reboot the computer FROM the CD, and the computer completely ignores anything you've installed on the hard drive - the whole computer runs off the CD/USB.
The only-foolproof blocker is one that sits on a different computer in the house that is set up as a gateway for all of the others; see if a computer geek friend can't set up a spare computer with a program called "Squid proxy" or "Dan's Guardian" - they can also block ads and speed up surfing.
Additionally, many Nanny programs often have too many false-positive alarms. Check with your library and local school for what THEY use.
In our house, the best "Net Nanny" is keeping the computers in the kitchen and family room. They're in full view of regular traffic patterns, and nobody visits any sites they wouldn't want anyone else to know about. If this isn't possible, then the next best chance is to set up a recording program on the computer that logs key presses, mouse clicks, and takes a picture of the screen occasionally, and let him know you're watching over things - his own self-censorship will be much better than any program. Hiding a program on the computer and then ambushing him later can really damage trust later.
BTW: Among most of my geek friends, "putting the computer in plain sight" is the favorite Nanny program of the bunch.
