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Please forgive me if this has been asked before. I have done a search for this question and couldn't find one so I decided to ask here.
I am trying to monitor my children and their internet use on our home PC. How can I get the computer to prompt for a password when logging onto the internet? I want to be the keeper of the password so that I will always know when and who is on the computer.
Thanks so much for any advice any of you may have.
What operating system are you using? Depending on the OS you can create accounts for individual users and limit what applications they are running. You could simply put a password on the account and when they want to use the computer (for anything) they'll have to come to you.
A place like Softheap might also be helpful. Keep in mind however that your children might find ways around this. (not knowing how old they are). Have you considered talking with them about where and why they are surfing to specific places, as well as the idea of using the Internet responsibly?
you can easily do this nomatter what os u r using, u can just go to the website of ur ISP provider, change the password there. than u can open connect to internet dialog box there u uncheck the option "Save Password", that's it. After that if someone wants to access internet thru ur computer he/she will need the password.
That's only valid if you are using dialup or an account that actually requires connection like that (say, PPPoE or PPP). I use cable internet access and I have never had to enter a password for internet access, save for accessing email.Quote:
you can easily do this nomatter what os u r using, u can just go to the website of ur ISP provider, change the password there. than u can open connect to internet dialog box there u uncheck the option "Save Password", that's it. After that if someone wants to access internet thru ur computer he/she will need the password.
From experience the best way to monitor your childrens on line activity is to only allow them access when you are in the room. For instance i only allow my daughters to use my network for net access from the living room. At all other times i keep there laptop under lock and key. If that is not possible only have one resticted account for your kids to use. As stated, password protect that account and keep the password to your self. They then can only access the net when you log them in.
Or you could just put an internet filter on... Though not fool proof it will stop your kids... Unless they really know what they are doing with computers they won't be able to find a way around it... I myself use Cybersitter to keep my brother off of sites that he was getting me in trouble for. He ain't the smartest but he ain't the dumbest either when it comes to computers and he has never found a way around it. And you can adjust what is filtered to say allow Warez sites but block porn sites or gambling sites. And if they don't know better they won't even know it's filtered because mine just shows a bs error message or redirects to a deemibly "safe" website.... Had my bro confused for a while... He figured out after a day or two but in 2 years hasn't been able to get around it I think he got frustrated and quit tryin though
There is plenty of software available to control access to the internet from a PC. CyberPatrol is one I have seen working that looks good.
Personally, I prefer to leave the use of the PC as open as possible to my son. He has his own windows account that he knows the password of. This has certain restrictions, e.g. he can't install anything!
I use Norton Internet Security, which has some parental control features. These, however, are just set to block websites with adult themes. My son knows that I regularly check in the Norton log files to see his browsing history. This is a great deterrent, on the few occassions he has stumbled accross naughty websites he has told me exactly how it has happened. Good lad!
This setup whilst right for me, may not be right for you, plus I do not know the age of your children. I felt this setup was better, as he would otherwise just go round to a mates house and surf there. In that scenario I would have very little power.
It's a big world out there and sooner or later your children and mine are going to be exposed to something you'd rather they weren't. It's up to us as responsible parents to prepare them for that inevitability.
I hope this has been of some use.
First of all, I'm with Jinxy on this one..
Untill the age of 16 (or something, kinda depends on the child) no unsuppervised internet access..
You wouldn't let your children play with matches unsuperviced either...
Another option would be to install a hardware lock..
I have seen RJ45 locking devices somewhere (google found me none right now..)
That way you first have to take the lock off the NIC to be able to stick the cat5e cabel in to get online..
Nothing beats physical security :)