[zoolou]

Have a question regarding trying to locate programs that have parental control....I am currently using ZA Internet Security Suite trial....I like the parental control options but not too crazy on the program as a whole......Is their another program that blocks unwanted web-sites that ZA does ??? Have looked but can't seem to find one that does what Zone Alarm can do

[SpiritWind]

{size:18px}[/size]:D Hi : I am NOT pleased with "Parental Control" Programs sincemany, if NOT all, put an undesirable "Keylogger" on a computer, a double-edge sword; never know IF and/or WHEN a program MAY turn against their Users. I also do NOT recommend "Security Suite" type programs, since they are "Jack of all Trades, Master of Possibly 1 Good component" Approach to Security. Best to find very Good & possibly FREE programs in one malware-fighting category. IF you want a program that Blocks unwanted Websites, should look into the FREE "SpywareBlaster" from www.javacoolsoftware.com. Have used this program for several yrs; there's a "Tutorial" at www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial49.html . Should ALWAYS mention the SPECIFIC Name of your Operating System to get the best, appropiate recommendations.

[VINCENT]

HI :)I don't know you and you don't know me but we are both parents and I would give (and have given) similar advice to my friends who have (had) similar problems. When issues of these sort come up in our lives, it's usually best to make sure the lines of communication are open and that the accused haven't been tried and found guilty before being able to argue their case. Let them know that you love them unconditionally and are concerned with their recent behavior. Then at a later time and different place let them know that you hope and expect that they abide by and uphold the values and morals you hold dear in your home while they live in your home. If those lines of communication are closed I would suggest some intervention/counseling to re-open them. Honesty is always the best policy when dealing with your teenager. On the other hand there can be a point where intervention on your part is required. Warning signs can include poor grades in school, excessive time on the internet, excessive IM or chat sessions, late night or early morning times when they are using the computer. Much of this can be resolved by placing the computer in a public place that can be seen by everyone. When this is not an option, that is when you should look for an appliance, service, or software that can help you administrate your (or their) computer. I would warn you, however, that there are things about your teenager's life that you may not want to know. When looking for a software to monitor your computer you should look for several features. (I assume you are using some form of MS-Windows) The first would be a service or piece of software for web filtering. The second would be a surf history watcher. The third would be IM watching and logging. The fourth would be a key-logger. The fifth would be an e-mail filter and the sixth might be software to restrict the amount of time and the period of time that your teenager can be on the internet. There are many good products out there some of them include many, if not all of these features. The software I found that is the most effective and can be used in a stealth mode is Responsible Surfing. I have found that it can do all the things that I have discussed and it can email you reports and keep copies of screenshots, chats (even if they delete it from the history). It does everything I have discussed. It can even log peer-to-peer and program activity and catch keywords. It does all this on a user-by-user basis and compiles the reports to reflect this.You may not use all these features initially (you may leave filtering and time lockouts off) in order to discover what is going on. However, I would suggest at some point that you tell your teenager that you have installed an administrative software for filtering and access control. That way if you need to confront them with something that they will not be shocked that you found out what was going on by checking the filter. Once again, honesty is the best policy and it expresses trust in them that you would tell them. I would hope that this is all simply a case of teenage angst or rebellion and not a symptom of anything more serious.

[Cosmo]

Try looking through what Snapfiles has.

[zoolou]

I am using Windows XP pro.......Vincent ..... I do appreciate the advice and i am very well aware of what goes on in my kids lives...the lines of communications are always open and my kids are 90% straight up with me......Hey is there excess emailing and IM going on...geez yes but from what i have seen and heard, my kids are fine. Just looking for mostly a porn blocker program, the kids know that their conversations are monitored for KEY words and if I am alerted then their questioned.....Honesty is always the best policy..... Once again just looking for a very effective porn blocker

[mphenterprises]

Hi Zoolou. Try this:http://www.k9webprotection.com/faq.htmlI personally do not have any children but my clients do. I have recommended this software to the ones who ask for Parental Control and I have heard very good things about it. I don't know if it specifically has porn blocking but the link I posted is a Frequently Asked Questions page.

[VINCENT]

:) HI zoolou nice to know that your kids r doing gr8....RESPONSIBLE SURFING is a gud porn blocker it has helped me track my kidsand i know it will help you the same way ... just try it once and let me know