Teens, parental controls and safe mode

[tom982]

If you've looked through them all then no.

I think when he is allowed back on the PC you need to completely block him from installing any programs that you have not authorised, if he asks and says something that you don't understand say maybe tomorrow, go do a little research on its capabilities and decide whether or not it's OK to be installed.

The modification of the host file to block certain sites as mentioned above is a very good idea and I recommend you implement it ASAP.

Another thing you may want to do is remove all media codecs that you don't use. This will limit what video formats can be played even if he does manage to get round the restrictions, thus meaning he can download something but then find it's completely useless.

If you need some help doing this just shout.

Oli

Yes, especially the DivX codec because this is a commonly used codec to host online videos.

Weirdly enough I have NEVER had that installed, knowingly at least, to any of my systems and I've never had problems.

Oli

Oh, I come across it quite a lot, but I don't notice it any more because I have pretty much every video codec that I will ever need installed.

It's not a default Windows codec, but I usually back up my DVDs to AVI files so that they can be played on my dvd player.

Tom

 

[MamaDee6]

Another thing you may want to do is remove all media codecs that you don't use. This will limit what video formats can be played even if he does manage to get round the restrictions, thus meaning he can download something but then find it's completely useless.>>>>>

How would I know which ones I need so I don't remove something I want? This is all so confusing. Isn't there just a good security program I can buy for $100 that will protect me? Why must I learn to be a computer programmer to keep a 14 year old in line? Sigh.....

I guess I need to do these things and THEN ALSO buy a good program. Do you guys recommend anything in particular?

Dee

 

[tom982]

Unless he has installed additional codecs, I wouldn't try to uninstall them.

What do you want the program to do? Anti virus or parental controls?

Tom

 

[osholt]

Another thing you may want to do is remove all media codecs that you don't use. This will limit what video formats can be played even if he does manage to get round the restrictions, thus meaning he can download something but then find it's completely useless.>>>>>

How would I know which ones I need so I don't remove something I want? This is all so confusing. Isn't there just a good security program I can buy for $100 that will protect me? Why must I learn to be a computer programmer to keep a 14 year old in line? Sigh.....

I guess I need to do these things and THEN ALSO buy a good program. Do you guys recommend anything in particular?

Dee

UYou are getting the low down from 3 very clued up people who know how easy it is to bypass things... unfortunately by the sounds of it your son is also getting the some of the same low down from someone who's done this before.
Our aim is to get one (if not several) steps ahead.

It just so happens that Windows is built with a lot of fail safes in mind which can also be abused for other purposes. eg Safe Mode and the hidden Administrator.

The codecs thing is fairly easy, just tell us what media you watch/listen to on that PC (if any).

Unfortunately if you know what you're doing and don't have a level of trust or moral foundation (that's the difference between a programmer and a hacker) Windows is easy picking.

For instance if given access to that computer even with all the stuff we've put inplace I could still get around all of it using a simple CD and that's regardless of whether there's the largest, most advanced piece of security software is on there or not.

Hopefully though, your son will never be able to do that and we can get to a point where enough security is in place for him to just give up trying to get past it.

Oli

 

[tom982]

Another thing you may want to do is remove all media codecs that you don't use. This will limit what video formats can be played even if he does manage to get round the restrictions, thus meaning he can download something but then find it's completely useless.>>>>>

How would I know which ones I need so I don't remove something I want? This is all so confusing. Isn't there just a good security program I can buy for $100 that will protect me? Why must I learn to be a computer programmer to keep a 14 year old in line? Sigh.....

I guess I need to do these things and THEN ALSO buy a good program. Do you guys recommend anything in particular?

Dee

UYou are getting the low down from 3 very clued up people who know how easy it is to bypass things... unfortunately by the sounds of it your son is also getting the some of the same low down from someone who's done this before.
Our aim is to get one (if not several) steps ahead.

It just so happens that Windows is built with a lot of fail safes in mind which can also be abused for other purposes. eg Safe Mode and the hidden Administrator.

The codecs thing is fairly easy, just tell us what media you watch/listen to on that PC (if any).

Unfortunately if you know what you're doing and don't have a level of trust or moral foundation (that's the difference between a programmer and a hacker) Windows is easy picking.

For instance if given access to that computer even with all the stuff we've put inplace I could still get around all of it using a simple CD and that's regardless of whether there's the largest, most advanced piece of security software is on there or not.

Hopefully though, your son will never be able to do that and we can get to a point where enough security is in place for him to just give up trying to get past it.

Oli

Yes, there are a range of bootable tools out there So why don't we disable booting from a cd or usb in the BIOS?

Tom

 

[osholt]

Another thing you may want to do is remove all media codecs that you don't use. This will limit what video formats can be played even if he does manage to get round the restrictions, thus meaning he can download something but then find it's completely useless.>>>>>

How would I know which ones I need so I don't remove something I want? This is all so confusing. Isn't there just a good security program I can buy for $100 that will protect me? Why must I learn to be a computer programmer to keep a 14 year old in line? Sigh.....

I guess I need to do these things and THEN ALSO buy a good program. Do you guys recommend anything in particular?

Dee

UYou are getting the low down from 3 very clued up people who know how easy it is to bypass things... unfortunately by the sounds of it your son is also getting the some of the same low down from someone who's done this before.
Our aim is to get one (if not several) steps ahead.

It just so happens that Windows is built with a lot of fail safes in mind which can also be abused for other purposes. eg Safe Mode and the hidden Administrator.

The codecs thing is fairly easy, just tell us what media you watch/listen to on that PC (if any).

Unfortunately if you know what you're doing and don't have a level of trust or moral foundation (that's the difference between a programmer and a hacker) Windows is easy picking.

For instance if given access to that computer even with all the stuff we've put inplace I could still get around all of it using a simple CD and that's regardless of whether there's the largest, most advanced piece of security software is on there or not.

Hopefully though, your son will never be able to do that and we can get to a point where enough security is in place for him to just give up trying to get past it.

Oli

Yes, there are a range of bootable tools out there So why don't we disable booting from a cd or usb in the BIOS?

Tom

Good idea, but I'm not sure that's easily done; if at all possible because of possible problems when trying to reinstall after Windows completely dies.

There isn't an option in my BIOS to do that, just to move it's boot priority, but I'm not sure about the BIOS on that PC.

If you can you should though.

Oli

 

[tom982]

UYou are getting the low down from 3 very clued up people who know how easy it is to bypass things... unfortunately by the sounds of it your son is also getting the some of the same low down from someone who's done this before.
Our aim is to get one (if not several) steps ahead.

It just so happens that Windows is built with a lot of fail safes in mind which can also be abused for other purposes. eg Safe Mode and the hidden Administrator.

The codecs thing is fairly easy, just tell us what media you watch/listen to on that PC (if any).

Unfortunately if you know what you're doing and don't have a level of trust or moral foundation (that's the difference between a programmer and a hacker) Windows is easy picking.

For instance if given access to that computer even with all the stuff we've put inplace I could still get around all of it using a simple CD and that's regardless of whether there's the largest, most advanced piece of security software is on there or not.

Hopefully though, your son will never be able to do that and we can get to a point where enough security is in place for him to just give up trying to get past it.

Oli

Yes, there are a range of bootable tools out there So why don't we disable booting from a cd or usb in the BIOS?

Tom

Good idea, but I'm not sure that's easily done.

There isn't an option in my BIOS to do that, just to move it's boot priority, but I'm not sure about the BIOS on that PC.

If you can you should though.

Yeah, I don't know how to at all but somebody mentioned it earlier.

Tom

 

[MamaDee6]

Well, I want it for parental controls. I want to know where my kids have been, what they have done, etc. I want it to block inappropriate stuff. I want time limits....having access to the computer w/o internet (like for homework time) is good, too. I'd be happy if they didn't know it was there. AND......apparently, I need something that is not easily circumvented. I'm sure I missed something, but you get the idea.

Thanks so much. All of this helps, and I appreciate it.

Dee

 

[ilikefree]

He will just switch to his friends computer if it gets too hard for him and then their actions will be out of your sight. No easy answer to stop a curious 14 year old.

 

[niemiro]

He will just switch to his friends computer if it gets too hard for him and then their actions will be out of your sight. No easy answer to stop a curious 14 year old.

Unfortunately, you are perfectly correct.

Yeah, I don't know how to at all but somebody mentioned it earlier.

Tom

I was the one who mentioned it. Some BIOS allow you to disable boot from CD/USB etc. Put on a BIOS password, and if anything goes wrong, the password holder can re-enable it to reinstall Windows. If they forget the password, you all know the instruction manual trick for getting around a BIOS password, although I can guarantee that a person who had to ask someone about Safe Mode would not know it, it would be easily noticeable, and it would be far too risky and dangerous for hime to do, I would imagine.

 

[MamaDee6]

He will just switch to his friends computer if it gets too hard for him and then their actions will be out of your sight. No easy answer to stop a curious 14 year old.>>>

Oh, I know. But that doesn't mean that our computer shouldn't be as safe as it can be. It's also why I called his my friend (his friend's Mom) so she would know what's going on. I know there will be other friends, but you gotta do what you can. Just b/c a parent's rules will piddle off a kid doesn't mean you shouldn't make them. I know I can't stop him from playing a nasty M game at some friend's house, but that doesn't mean I should let him buy them and play them here, KWIM?

Dee

 

[ilikefree]

I do know what you mean, I just thought it might be better if you kept the computer in the family room where he was in plain sight and monitored where he went. I guess you have to do what you think is best for your child and each child is different and what works for one might not work for another. Good to see you are checking up on him as lots of parents wouldn't know what their children get up to on line.

 

[MamaDee6]

I do know what you mean, I just thought it might be better if you kept the computer in the family room where he was in plain sight and monitored where he went.>>>>

The computer is in the kitchen. That's where we spend most of our time. And as far as monitoring were he went........that's why I had parental controls in place. That's why I checked his account almost every morning. That's how I found what I found. But I'm finding out, I needed more.

But I fear you are right.....most parents are blissfully unaware of what their kids do online. One friend, who has 3 boys ages 17, 14 and 12.....actually told me you just really have to trust them. Really? Trust a 15 year old boy with free access to the trash that is online these days? Good luck with that. She had major issues with her oldest hacking her password and doing all KINDS of stuff. And still you just have to "trust them?" I don't care how "good" the kid is.......free porn to easily hide from your Mom and Dad? Come on.

Dee

 

[ilikefree]

Blind trust is just that, Blind. Your way will have more results while he is at home. Is his friends mother going to put the same blocks in place you have?

 

[ilikefree]

We have a program in New Zealand called Web Gauge, mainly used in flats, it records internet use by each user. Maybe you could find something similar. You will know if he has downloaded movies by the size of the download. No good for pictures though but there must be something similar in your country.Others will have had this problem

 

[tom982]

These two seem to have good reviews:

Parental Control Software for Internet Safety | CyberPatrol

Internet Filter, Parental Controls & Filter Software | Net Nanny

Tom

 

[MamaDee6]

Do you guys know how to properly remove Torrent? I tried deleting everything I could find on it. They were all files as far as I could tell. It wasn't listed under programs--so couldn't use "Add/Remove" programs.

I had left one Bionicle icon (a torrent file).........and clicked on it and it brought up Torrent. If I get rid of the last file, will it get rid of Torrent? Or do I have to do something more substantial?

Thanks!

Dee

 

[tom982]

Do you guys know how to properly remove Torrent? I tried deleting everything I could find on it. They were all files as far as I could tell. It wasn't listed under programs--so couldn't use "Add/Remove" programs.

I had left one Bionicle icon (a torrent file).........and clicked on it and it brought up Torrent. If I get rid of the last file, will it get rid of Torrent? Or do I have to do something more substantial?

Thanks!

Dee

Sorry, I don't completely understand your problem, are you trying to remove the torrent software? Or remove the content that your child has downloaded?

Tom

 

[Smurfyy]

Trust a 15 year old boy with free access to the trash that is online these days? Good luck with that. And still you just have to "trust them?" I don't care how "good" the kid is.......free porn to easily hide from your Mom and Dad? Come on.

Hey! Just remember that there are some 15 year olds on this forum that can be trusted.
Just because your son, or your friends son can't be trusted doesn't mean the rest of us can't be.

Im a "good" kid, and i don't have time for pron, im more interested in going out with my mates and getting good grades at school so i can get a job in the city when i leave school. Jeez

I would just let the kid download it along with a load of viruses, let him learn from his mistakes.

 

[tom982]

Trust a 15 year old boy with free access to the trash that is online these days? Good luck with that. And still you just have to "trust them?" I don't care how "good" the kid is.......free porn to easily hide from your Mom and Dad? Come on.

Hey! Just remember that there are some 15 year olds on this forum that can be trusted.
Just because your son, or your friends son can't be trusted doesn't mean the rest of us can't be.

Im a "good" kid, and i don't have time for pron, im more interested in going out with my mates and getting good grades at school so i can get a job in the city when i leave school. Jeez

I would just let the kid download it along with a load of viruses, let him learn from his mistakes.

But then you risk infecting the other computers on the network, have to pay a lot to remove the virus and have a big fine for downloading files illegally.

But I agree about the first comment, some people can be trusted, it just depends on the person. No offence, but I think your comment was a bit aggressive because Dee wasn't saying that you couldn't be trusted, she was just making a point.

Tom