Private Monitoring of Internet Usage

An interesting topic - a colleague on here and colleagues at work have asked me recently about monitoring software for use at home.

Parents have also asked the same question at parent's evenings.

They all want an application that enables them to monitor the internet / email usage of their offspring. Particularly the use of social networking sites. More to protect them rather than to snoop.

I've recommended Spector Pro in the past but it is rather expensive if you have a handful of machines. Is there anything else out there?

2 possible solutions for you to get started:

K9 Web Protection
Free, Software solution installed on computer(s) required.

OpenDNS
Free. The configuration can be hard coded into your broadband router and various restrictions set online.
This means all internet traffic goes via OpenDNS, so all computers connected are subject to the restrictions you've set.

Free: Windows Live Family Safety

Note I haven't used this extensively so can't say how good it is, but the feature set certainly seems to cover the things you've mentioned.

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Originally Posted by AngryTechnician

Free: Windows Live Family Safety

Note I haven't used this extensively so can't say how good it is, but the feature set certainly seems to cover the things you've mentioned.

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I tried this last year and found that it slowed the machines down horribly. Has it been improved?

been using OpenDNS for some time, it's a good all rounder and like MYK-IT hard coding is best..

I recommend OpenDNS but the only issue is you have to keep a PC on so it can keep track, if you use a router and share the connection amongst multiple PCs.

Could look at http://www.imsafer.com/ from Crisp Thinking.

I tell them to use K9 for home usage, its a good enough piece of free software that they can add the blocks themselves.

If they want corporate software then I point them to smoothwall and tell them the implications.

Parental control seems to be pretty good, although I'm only just about to start testing it.

K9 web protection is good choice

Not much use to most of you but all Birmingham parents\students have access to CyberSentinel for free.

Info here http://www.suttcold.bham.sch.uk/Webs...erSentinel.pdf and here CyberSentinel - e-Safety and internet parental control software

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I recommend OpenDNS but the only issue is you have to keep a PC on so it can keep track, if you use a router and share the connection amongst multiple PCs.

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Don't quite understand what you mean about having to keep a PC on :confused:

regards

Simon

I've just done a session with parents tonight and recommended k9 web protection also.

Try IMSafer - its a free solution for parents in its basic format.

For more info go to bbesafe Protect children from cyber bullying internet grooming and other online dangers

Hope it helps.

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Originally Posted by Edu-IT

I recommend OpenDNS but the only issue is you have to keep a PC on so it can keep track, if you use a router and share the connection amongst multiple PCs.

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I'm confused by what you mean too. I use OpenDNS at home and just enter their DNS server IP addresses into my router. I can then track the websites visited via the dashboard on their website. :confused:

Open DNS is extremely effective as long as you can lock the PC's down enough and use it as part of a more comprehensive solution.

Setting up your home router or network to use opendns forwarders is easy enough but if the kids can change their DNS settings it's defeated instantly.

My favourite tool to try and keep my kids in check was always the router itself, I have always used Draytek's as they gave me an interface that was easy enough to understand and program whilst locking the kids out!
I used a free tool called "WallWatcher" to monitor everything in realtime as it flows in and out of the house whenever it became obvious the kids were taking the P, I would simply block them at the router for days at a time!

I was always more worried about getting a visit from the RIAA or FBI than if they had managed to find a porn site!