Protecting Children online

[DavidRS]

Not sure if this is best category to ask but here goes!

I want to install some software that will allow me to protect my daughter when she's online but will allow separate settings for myself and my wife. I am running XP SP2 and connecting using an external wireless router plus I use ZA Pro for security. I'm reluctant to use the internet options in IE7 as it seems to apply to all users. I used to think I knew a good bit about this subject but I seem to be lost as to what to choose!

Can anyone advise me what is either the best software solution is or if there is anything I can use with what i have already got.

Many many thanks in advance

David

 

[Minkey]

NetNanny is supposed to be very good (never used it myself)

I'm reluctant to use the internet options in IE7 as it seems to apply to all users

It wouldn't do any good either consider a safer and better browser - Firefox or Opera though you will have to keep IE as some websites don't conform to W3C standards.

 

[Adeptus]

I use PC-Cillin antivirus/antispyware/firewall software. It has a web filter built in. You can set it to exclude sites in certain categories (plus your own custom list) or you can set it to block all except your own custom list.
Only thing is, I think it applies to all users. (But you can easily enable/disable it without affecting the settings)

 

[DavidRS]

Thanks to both of you.

Minkey - I have pondering about switching to Firefox. I use it at work (only because IE on my machine is all mashed up) but I don't know much about the security side. Why is it so good?

 

[Minkey]

In it's basic form (without addons) provides more protection than IE as it has build in spyware, anti-phishing and can automatically delete your private data see see Firefox features when it closes but more importantly:

It's open source so everybody can contribute to bug fixing, patching possible exploites and adding code so the application will always be more secure and you never have to wait very long for a fixes and updates. Almost as soon as something descovered a patch or fix is made available.

This also means it's very easy for other people to write addons the best of which are things like - adblock (removes any images/banners/ad's from web pages), No script (prevent web sites from running any type of script), oh and the coolest Mouse Gestures.

You even have access to edit the way the software runs, for example if you type about:config in the address bar you can edit many of the function parameters - try this to speed up the browser:

1.Type “about:config” into the address bar and hit return. Scroll down and look for the following entries:

network.http.pipelining
network.http.proxy.pipelining
network.http.pipelining.maxrequests

Normally the browser will make one request to a web page at a time. When you enable pipelining it will make several at once, which really speeds up page loading.

2. Alter the entries as follows:

Set “network.http.pipelining” to “true”

Set “network.http.proxy.pipelining” to “true”

Set “network.http.pipelining.maxrequests” to some number like 30. This means it will make 30 requests at once.

3. Lastly right-click anywhere and select New-> Integer. Name it “nglayout.initialpaint.delay” and set its value to “0”. This value is the amount of time the browser waits before it acts on information it receives.

I admit there is a down side - some web site don't work proprerly in Firefix but this is not a problem with the broswer it's because the web site is not complient with the W3C specifications, but of course you can always download the handy addon IE View.

 

[DavidRS]

Great Minkey - I'm sold! I'll check with Zone Alarms but i assume that my other security kit will work with it - no?

Cheers

 

[Minkey]

It works the same as any application with firewalls etc. but remember to keep IE for those 'incompatable' websites. Whilst were on the subject of Mozilla products they also do an excellent e-mail app Thunderbird.