Internet content filter recommendations?

**HungusMaximist** · 3rd January 2009, 21:12

Got a younger, just turned a teenager brother who loves surfing the net and looking at crap like hacking, cracking, game mods, home made explosives and so on, and lots of these sites are linked to porn sites and has porn ads.

Just need a some recommendation on a GOOD content filter which WORKS and is EASY to use. The shit ones I've seen on the net are the free ones and 90% of them don't even block jack.

Need some tips and willing to PAY $$ if it actually WORKS! Cuz, I hate to pay for something that actually don't work. Tips? Your recommendations?

Cheers!

**jrandom** · 3rd January 2009, 21:18

Good luck trying to install anything on the computer itself that he can't just bypass immediately.

Your only hope is to set up a separate firewall box that he has no passwords for, and install a filtering system there, and make sure he has no physical access to that box and the internet router (locked cupboards are good).

But anyways. He's 13. Why are you so worried about him seeing porn? Half the girls in his class at school have probably had abortions by now.

**HungusMaximist** · 3rd January 2009, 21:30

Originally Posted by jrandom

Good luck trying to install anything on the computer itself that he can't just bypass immediately.

Your only hope is to set up a separate firewall box that he has no passwords for, and install a filtering system there, and make sure he has no physical access to that box and the internet router (locked cupboards are good).

But anyways. He's 13. Why are you so worried about him seeing porn? Half the girls in his class at school have probably had abortions by now.

I like to Firewall idea.

Actually, it's actually all the underground torrent sites, hacking sites, mods this and that type of sites that get inundated with spy ware, mal ware, whatever ware else that downloads on to your computer without your permission.

**mashman** · 3rd January 2009, 21:31

Originally Posted by jrandom

Good luck trying to install anything on the computer itself that he can't just bypass immediately.

Your only hope is to set up a separate firewall box that he has no passwords for, and install a filtering system there, and make sure he has no physical access to that box and the internet router (locked cupboards are good).

But anyways. He's 13. Why are you so worried about him seeing porn? Half the girls in his class at school have probably had abortions by now.

That's a lot of work... you'll constantly have to check the logs and check the sites he's visiting to block them, in which case you'll likely never get anything done but you will become a pron encyclopedia, or develop RSI... Might be worth gettin in touch with the ISP and see if they have any filtering at their end, I bet they have...

**NJ83** · 3rd January 2009, 21:48

hey we had the same problem with my little brother not so long back

downloaded a filter from here

www1.k9webprotection.com

seems to do the trick

**rainman** · 3rd January 2009, 21:49

Originally Posted by HungusMaximist

...which WORKS and is EASY to use

Those two attributes are probably incompatible, given the problem you are trying to solve.

An external box that he has no access to is the only option. Do you have any Linux skills?

**Slyer** · 3rd January 2009, 21:55

Tell him if he visits those sites he doesn't get to use the computer.
The best content filter is in his head, train it.

**samgab** · 3rd January 2009, 22:01

Really awesome and easy and FREE way!!!

check out openDNS (google it)
http://www.opendns.com

You register for free, then choose which filters you want, from mild to wild, then go into your router settings and put the new DNS numbers in instead of the automatically selected dns settings.

Very easy to set up and VERY effective.

Another benefit is it protects you from phishing and stuff AND speeds up your internet browsing, as the openDNS servers keep a big cache of dns server resolves.

5 Stars out of 5 from me

**BigGuy** · 3rd January 2009, 22:02

You could set your DNS to point to the opendns servers. Go to http://www.opendns.com/ and have a read. I've used the service with a fairly good success rate and it's free.
Once you have an account you can set the level of filtering you wish.
Of course this only works with sites that use DNS to resolve the site rather than direct IP access. But at least it's a start!

**BigGuy** · 3rd January 2009, 22:03

Haha - you must have been typing the same thing as me at the same time samgab

**samgab** · 3rd January 2009, 22:03

Originally Posted by BigGuy

You could set your DNS to point to the opendns servers. Go to http://www.opendns.com/ and have a read. I've used the service with a fairly good success rate and it's free.
Once you have an account you can set the level of filtering you wish.
Of course this only works with sites that use DNS to resolve the site rather than direct IP access. But at least it's a start!

haha, SNAP!

**P38** · 3rd January 2009, 22:07

Had a similar issue with my boys when they were teenagers.

Teenage boys who are a bit net savvy are gonna get around a filter in a heartbeat.

Simple solution ... move the pc into the lounge and supervise them.

**BigGuy** · 3rd January 2009, 22:12

Originally Posted by P38

Had a similar issue with my boys when they were teenagers.

Teenage boys who are a bit net savvy are gonna get around a filter in a heartbeat.

Simple solution ... move the pc into the lounge and supervise them.

Not if they don't have access to the DSL routers password (assuming DSL of course). The only way they can get around it is to do a hardware reset on the modem. Then they have to figure out the userid, password, other details for the DSL provider that you signed up with. and those details of course are a secret aren't they

**inlinefour** · 3rd January 2009, 22:17

Originally Posted by HungusMaximist

Got a younger, just turned a teenager brother who loves surfing the net and looking at crap like hacking, cracking, game mods, home made explosives and so on, and lots of these sites are linked to porn sites and has porn ads.

Just need a some recommendation on a GOOD content filter which WORKS and is EASY to use. The shit ones I've seen on the net are the free ones and 90% of them don't even block jack.

Need some tips and willing to PAY $$ if it actually WORKS! Cuz, I hate to pay for something that actually don't work. Tips? Your recommendations?

Cheers!

Just let him do it, give it awhile and most of it will loose interest and the novelty will be gone. Game mods even I still do, although Im no longer running cloned games as I can afford the originals. Just make sure you have decient antivirus software and if he opens a can of worms etc that screws up the PC then just put him on clean up duties for a few weeks.