best free internet screener/blocker software?

Hi gang,


What's the best free internet screener/blocker?

Need to keep younger family members from accessing 'forbidden' sites; what is the best software for this?

BTW, we're using WinME with IE, ver 5.5 I believe...

thanks!

 

In IE>Tools>Options> Internet Options>Content tab
Enable the Content Advisor
You can set up what you do or do not want viewed in IE
You can also put a password on your settings so kids can't change them

 

You might also want to install this program to block known "bad" sites that the kids might otherwise stumble onto.
SpywareBlaster 3.5.1
http://majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=2859

 

Hey, thanks for the tip!

However, it seems to block EVERYTHING, asking for my password to EVERY site I visit... So I checked to allow 'non-rated' sites, but that allows EVERYTHING also!

Not sure what to do; is this a ratings problem (ie, most sites simply aren't rated?) But why would it block hotmail or google, etc? Why would their meta-tags interfear?

Is there a way to use the content filter in IE tools without requiring a password to visit every single website?

THANKS!!!

 

>> What's the best free internet screener/blocker? Need to keep younger family members from accessing 'forbidden' sites; what is the best software for this? << KuriousJorj

Parental Filter is a very stable and fairly easy-to-use freeware product for parents who want to 'Screen Out' [or 'filter'] certain sites. It is very often advertised on various websites as specializing in "blocking porno websites nothing more, nothing less," however I tested it awhile back and found it to be highly configurable and it can actually do a lot more than that [with a little 'tinkering' under the hood]. You can actually specify a list of websites that the user will be redirected to [instead of the restricted sites] as well as customize the list of blocked sites and keywords. The HELP files provided for Parental Filter is far easier to navigate and use in my opinion; as well as being far more comprehensive than the many other "screening" types of programs out there. It is listed as functional on all Windows operating systems. Click here to check out: Parental Filter.

Another "Parental Control Program" (called iProtectYouFREE) can be used to control which web sites can be visited, which programs can have Internet access, block e-mails, chat sessions and instant messages with inappropriate words, stop ads, and/or restrict internet time to a predetermined schedule. You can also get 'covert' detailed information about your child's online activity. Works fine with Microsoft Windows 98/Me/2000/XP operation systems. Click here to go to iProtect's website where you can read about and download this 'Parental Control' program.

Somewhat Related Info and Link (for others reading this thread):
This is not actually a "screening" program... but may be useful to protect very small children who are using a computer from actually damaging the family PC. GDS Childs Menu – w/ Child Safe Internet Browser has a few advanced features to prevent any damage caused by children playing with the pc. With GDS Child Menu you can: Optionally allow only one application to run at a time. Disable any key on the keyboard including special windows keys and combinations. Control Logoff and Shutdown from the menu. Automatically generates statistics of the applications that runs trough the menu (time spend, number of times started etc.)

NOTE: I actually tested all of these programs using Windows XP and therefore cannot verify how well they work well with other Windows operating systems. Some of these programs are actually 'donationware' but all are FREE to use, although you are sometimes encouraged by the website's developers to make a modest donation if you find them very useful - The iProtectYouFREE program comes in a freeware and shareware version (but in my opinion, the shareware and the freeware versions of this particular program are practically identical)

Good Luck!

 

Parental Filter more or less worked... But seemed to block alot of crucial sites. I couldn't access it anymore to change settings, so thought I'd temporarily uninstall it...

...but can't! No matter what I try (safe mode, msconfig), it always says it's 'in use' and I can't uninstall or delete it...

So now I can't go on sites like carfax or kelley blue book, because Parental Filter keeps re-routing me to google!

arghhh!

 

>> Parental Filter more or less worked... But seemed to block a lot of crucial sites. I couldn't access it anymore to change settings, so thought I'd temporarily uninstall it... but can't! No matter what I try (safe mode, msconfig), it always says it's 'in use' and I can't uninstall or delete it... So now I can't go on sites like carfax or kelley blue book, because Parental Filter keeps re-routing me to google! arghhh! KuriousJorj <<

Sorry to hear that you’re having problems with the Parental Filter program. When I tested this program it uninstalled quite easily using Windows Add/Remove.

I’m confused by your statement: “I couldn't access it anymore to change settings...”

What I mean is: What exactly happens when you try to access the program? Does the program close? Do you receive an error message? Do you mean that you forgot the password?

The only thing I can suggest would be to re-read the help files located within the Parental Filter program software and to also check out this list of Parental Filter (FAQ) - Frequently Asked Questions.

Also, have you tried using the Windows System Restore utility? Check out this FAQ “Frequently Asked Questions Regarding System Restore in Windows XP;” especially if you are unfamiliar with System Restore.

Good Luck!

 

When I click on the shortcut, nothing happens, not even the hourglass icon; if I go into the folder (hoping the link was broken), and click on the exe/icon, nothing happened.

Out of desparation, I tried to uninstall (even in safe mode) but it claimed it was in use. Tried using control panel uninstall, but no go. Finally, just tried to delete the files and but only deleted some.

Now an icon appears in the system tray asking to 'restore' or 'make a donation' and I can't get rid of it.

I've also noticed that all of my names/password fields are now empty, and I have to type them all in.

Granted, this computer (on dialup) is still WinME and IE 5.5, so maybe it's time to upgrade.

 

>> Out of desparation, I tried to uninstall (even in safe mode) but it claimed it was in use. Tried using control panel uninstall, but no go. Finally, just tried to delete the files and but only deleted some. Now an icon appears in the system tray asking to 'restore' or 'make a donation' and I can't get rid of it. I've also noticed that all of my names/password fields are now empty, and I have to type them all in. KuriousJorj <<

Thanks for your follow-up reply. While I cannot offer any 'definitive answer' to your current problems; your follow-up sheds a little more light on what may have transpired here.

For future reference it is never a good idea to simply click "delete" to remove any program which was actually 'installed' onto your computer. This is particularly true when you are dealing with a stealthy 'security' type of program which runs in the background. Security programs like Internet filtering programs tend to add registry entries that must be 'cleanly' uninstalled through the Add/Remove process; as directed by the program’s installed HELP files.

Generally, whenever you attempt to simply 'manually delete' these types of installed program files; or the entire program folder for that matter, rather than 'uninstall' them as directed by the developers’ HELP files - the remaining registry entries; which may be co-dependant on the files that are improperly deleted - can cause the affected program to function erratically/improperly as well as cause other seemingly unrelated system problems.

In any case; you might try running the disk cleanup utility called CCleaner which is available right here at Major Geeks. This utility also offers several options like removing registry entries that go nowhere and removes other various program 'leftovers' that are obsolete, or aren't listed in Add/Remove after you attempt to uninstall programs and utilities. You can also CCleaner to get rid of the "hidden" temporary files and other junk files from your system and free up even more space.

Use the CLEANER and especially the ISSUES options to thoroughly clean out anything that may have left behind after you attempted to "delete" the files in the Parental Filter folder. If you are unfamiliar with this cleaner utility; click here for a Quick Tutorial/Tour regarding how to use CCleaner after it is installed.

Also; as I mentioned in an earlier post - be sure to check out the developer's list of Parental Filter (FAQ) - Frequently Asked Questions about the program.

Good Luck!

 

How about my best sugestion, you your computer in a public place.