Lock down a Mac (OSX 10.6) for young children

[eevans]

Can anyone suggest the best way to either lock down the user settings on an iMac running 10.6 so it can only browse to certain sites (and ideally can be locked to only running the browser) or a Kids browser (like Kidzui - but that doesn't work any more) that requires a password to exit?

 

This is for a primary school that I do IT support for, they have 2 oldish imacs that they want to use in their pre-school and Reception class, but only want the children to be able to browse to certain sites, and not be able to run other applications.

 

Many thanks

Emma

[pete]

Parental controls will handle the application restrictions and (IIRC) a restricted list of websites.

 

Just test it so it behaves as you expect.

[aarongulley]

Hi Emma,

 

Does the school have a MacServer? If not use chrome with a simple filter addon, this is my personal best: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/webfilter-pro-the-best-fi/ejgfoklefkbjadjcgjmnhfbdfjolojnn?hl=en

 

You can use profile manager if you have a mac server Let me know if you do and I will talk you through the set up.

 

Thanks

 

Aaron.

[computer_expert]

You can use profile manager if you have a mac server Let me know if you do and I will talk you through the set up.

 

I think 10.6 may be too old for profile manager - I think workgroup manager is the equivalent for 10.6

[3s-gtech]

Which model of iMac is it? Anything Core 2 Duo or later will run Lion, which gives you the option to use Profile Manager. Otherwise you'll be using WGM which is a pretty different beastie and a bit involved for two Macs.

[eevans]

Thanks all for the replies.

The school does have a Mac server but it will be phased out over the next 6 months or so as I am in the process of installing a Windows server to replace it.

I will give the other suggestions a go.

Thank you again

Emma

[Guest obsidianpillar]

Thanks all for the replies.

The school does have a Mac server but it will be phased out over the next 6 months or so as I am in the process of installing a Windows server to replace it.

I will give the other suggestions a go.

Thank you again

Emma

 

What server is it? Is it capable of running the latest OS X? I can't see why you'd want to make matters more complicated by removing a facility that is able to manage the Macs with minimal fuss?

[Jehanzeb]

What server is it? Is it capable of running the latest OS X? I can't see why you'd want to make matters more complicated by removing a facility that is able to manage the Macs with minimal fuss?

 

Agree. With OSX server it is seemless to have Mac clients. Though one thing I couldn't achieve was how to connect NAS storage and direct all clients to use NAS storage (making homes folder to NAS). That was the only reason I stopped using Mac server, though our Mac is now running as a caching server.

 

Kindest regards

 

J

[Guest obsidianpillar]

Agree. With OSX server it is seemless to have Mac clients. Though one thing I couldn't achieve was how to connect NAS storage and direct all clients to use NAS storage (making homes folder to NAS). That was the only reason I stopped using Mac server, though our Mac is now running as a caching server.

 

Kindest regards

 

J

 

Hi J,

 

Good to hear you've found a use for the Mac!

 

Have a good weekend.

 

Tom