Looking for good / cheap content filtering software for personal use

[Punkrulz]

My girlfriend's dad has me working on his computer while he's on vacation this week. They stated that the computer had gotten so bad because his girlriend's son keeps looking at inappropriate websites on the computer. He wanted me to reformat the computer, but also wants me to get something that can handle content filtering to stop these websites from being able to be accessed.

I went looking around at Best Buy the other day. The first thing I had noticed was that Symantec Client Security does NOT have an adult content filter. I was looking and looking, when I saw that the McAfee Security Suite did have one, so I bought it. Fortunately I haven't had to open the box, as I am a member of Comcast and get a few subscription to the same software. I was testing out the McAfee, and while it did block some content, it wasn't able to block all. I was hoping that it would block the entire website stating that this page is blocked due to adult content... instead it replaces some images with the McAfee logo.

Does anyone know of a low cost solution so that I can help my girlfriend's father stop adult content from being viewed on the computer?

 

[X-Istence]

I disagree with what is stated:

They stated that the computer had gotten so bad because his girlriend's son keeps looking at inappropriate websites on the computer.

That was just a cop-out excuse to be able to block all adult content. It would have been better to go:

"My girlfriends son is browsing porn on it, how can I stop that"

And to that your reply should have been:

"Better parenting"

Simple. No software required. You won't be able to stop it at all, not until the US government allows .xxx top level domains (blame the christians) since then you can just disallow access to .xxx and be done. Also anything that blocks or filters on the computer won't do a great job. Since it can be bypassed.

Better parenting, spend time with your kids, watch what they are doing, keep the computer in a public place so that it is less likely they are going off to watch porn on it. Software is the wrong approach.

If you still want to go software, install Linux on a machine with Squid, proxy all outgoing connections through it, and add a plugin to block inappropriate content using filters much like the Symantec netgate filters in use at libraries and other places.

 

[fitz]

well said X... as a wise man once said:

There are seldom technical solutions to behavioral problems.

 

[Punkrulz]

Very wise man, I am quickly accepting that is what I have to do is basically tell them there is no easy way out there and they have to monitor what's being done.

 

[Sazar]

Yah, I mean they KNOW where he is going and that can be tracked, no problems.

Blocking them all is kind of stupid and frankly, there are plenty of places that kid can go and get inappropriate content that just won't be blocked.

 

[LeeJend]

Actually there is a technical solution. Install a password that only he knows.

If the step-son-in-girl-friend-law is surfing porn I'm sure he's doing illegal downloads also. Not to mention installing keystroke loggers to scam off the credit cards, etc.

You need to have a long talk with your future father in law...

 

[hansrijf]

I use K9 webprotection (besides good parenting). It is good (imho) and it is free, it's for XP and VISTA.

www.k9webprotection.com

 

[Punkrulz]

Thanks Hans, I have seen this program recommended in a few other places today. I have also had two other recommendations, both were DNS Filters:

ScrubIT
OpenDNS

After trying OpenDNS first and switching to ScrubIT, I have been very happy with ScrubIt. K9 Web Protection also seems like another great alternative, and hopefully I don't forget about in the future. My problem is trying to remember all of these program names / services so that if I lose the webpage I can google them in the future...

I think that's the toughest part of them all with me in my job.

Thanks!

 

[X-Istence]

Actually there is a technical solution. Install a password that only he knows.

If the step-son-in-girl-friend-law is surfing porn I'm sure he's doing illegal downloads also. Not to mention installing keystroke loggers to scam off the credit cards, etc.

You need to have a long talk with your future father in law...

Installing keystroke loggers to scam off credit cards? What makes you say that? In most teenage kids minds that **** won't even come up at all, there is too much free porn out there available to be grabbed at any time, to even BOTHER with doing that crap, since it can cause way more trouble than it is worth.