[AC-Admins] ANTHROCHAT.NET: inappropriate content

[Mir]

Jim,

Thanks for taking the time to voice your concerns. We certainly try to
take the time to help, and it looks like Scott has provided a pretty
in-depth response regarding the matter. I'd like to Chime in to fill in a
few gaps, and merely offer up some personal advice to you.

Jim, there are two ways generally speaking to make this work. Scott
suggested some great software packages, and those will work well for
locking down a single computer for most users. However, if your kid is
tech-savvy enough, he/she will find a way to get around a software filter.

The other way you can do this is by filtering at the network level as
Scott suggested using a firewall or router. I'd like to clarify for you
what those are:

-A router simply takes a single internet connection, such as your cable or
DSL connection, and allows multiple computers in your house to use that
one internet connection at no additional charge. They typically hook up in
the following way. On the back of a router, there are several network
ports, and they will be labeled. The cable between your internet
connection goes to what's called the WAN (internet) port on your router.
The computers connect by the LAN (network) ports on the router.
[Wall]-->[Cable/DSL]-->[Router]-->[Computers by wire/wireless connection(s)]

-A firewall is a hardware or software device (and it can even be part of
the settings on a router) that limits internet traffic based on certain
rules that you set up.

The advantage of network level filtering is that any device (computer or
otherwise) that can access the internet will undergo the same internet
filtering/restrictions that you enact. So if your kid was using a
smartphone to hop on your wireless network, the smartphone would be
blocked from accessing certain sites just like the computer would be. With
IRC, you need to pay particularly close attention to restricting the ports
Scott had mentioned. As far as implementing this, if you decide to do it
on your own, you can typically call up the people who make the router, and
they usually provide free technical assistance in getting the hardware set
up.

http://www.familysafemedia.com/iboss_internet_parental_contro.html

There's an example of a wireless router that you can buy, and it plugs
into your cable or DSL modem, and then all your computers plug wired or
wirelessly into the router. The iBoss is a little more involved as it can
be used to track time spent online, activity and history, etc. of the
users on your network.

Generally speaking, if you choose network filtering, you want a router that:
-Web Content Filtering
-Web Time/Access Restrictions (computers can't access the net past 12am)
-The ability to restrict internet traffic to different ports

No internet filter beats for good and responsible parenting. This is
really just common sense, but it can't be said enough. Please make sure
you take the time to understand why your kid is going to such sites, so
you can make the right choice there. I could only hope you would do so
with an open mind. Its never easy bridging the generation gap. The more
involved you and your kid are, the more extracurricular activities he/she
is involved in, the less time your kids will have to be going places on
the internet.

While you want to be firm, but understanding, as your role being a parent,
watch out for polarized knee-jerk reactions to the real problem at hand.
If you take too much of an aggressive stance, that can backfire, and it
may not be initially, but it could be years and years down the road before
you realize it.

Best of luck to you, and your kid on the matter, and I hope the
information will help you accomplish your goal.

-Mir


> ---------------------- ANTHROCHAT.NET ----------------------
> Name: James Charnley
> Nick:
> Email: jkcharnley at hotmail.com
>
> Message:
> To whom it concerns,
> I realize that you have limited control who accesses your website but I
> would like to be able to block it from my sons computer.Don\'t laugh, I\'m
> hopelessly computer illiterate and could use some help in accomplishing
> this.
> Thanks for your help,
> Jim Charnley
>
> Sender Ip: 69.95.18.106
> ------------------------------------------------------------
>
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