Thanks, Doug, I’ll ask my husband to check into the openDNS. The only reason we have not gotten any type of filtering software is because of the cost. I recently received this article (pasted below) from a business that we know. While on this subject, I wondered if you could tell me if you’ve heard of it and what you think.
“I recently received a call from a customer who had problems with some of her employees using company PC’s to cruise the internet when they should have been working. The customer had a small business, thus did not have the security benefits of a full network domain. She needed this problem resolved without spending a ton of money. She was really frustrated and wanted to be absolutely, positively, without-a-doubt 100% sure those guys could not access the internet. Without internet access, they still needed to use the programs necessary to accomplish their jobs. Was this possible? The solution I came up with caused me to think about how many of you might benefit from this as well.
There are lots of benefits to having a home PC that the entire family can share, but the real challenge is internet security. Some families like the idea of children learning via PC-based software, but really struggle with being sure that their children cannot access the internet or email. Bottom line: without spending money on 3rd party controls; how do you keep the children from having access to the internet yet allow dad and mom full access as needed? Is that possible?
Lo and behold, Microsoft has a free utility called “Steady State” which allows administrators to lock down user accounts on stand-alone or network PC’s. I simply logged in with an account that has administrator rights, installed the software, and selected the user account which internet access needed to be disabled. It was that easy!
In addition to removing internet access, there are also a host of other options which work well to keep the budding “PC guru” in your family (or business) from making system changes that can drive you crazy. Perhaps your children (or employees) need internet access to only one or two sites while excluding all others? This utility allows you to enter those sites.
This utility was a “bulls eye” for my customer, and may also be a great solution for you too (no, I’m not being paid to say this)! I like this utility because families can take the maximum advantage of technology while maintaining control for the sake of the family. Sounds like a win-win to me! Read more about (or download) this great utility by going to:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/sharedaccess/default.mspx
Thanks again, Doug.
Heather
ps Moderators, I hope its okay to post that article.