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parental controls and Windows XP

set up limited accounts for children

Limited accounts will allow the user to do basic things. They cannot install programs or modify the overall system settings. In order to install a program the limited user needs to ask a user with administrative privledges to install the program. This means the user with administrative privledges needs to log in and install the program. After the administrative account installs the program then the limited user will be able to run the newly installed program.

  1. Press the START button then click on Run...
  2. In the Run box type nusrmgr.cpl then press the OK button.
  3. If you don't have to click on a name before logging into Windows then click on Create a new account. Otherwise click on the name of the account to change, press Change the account type, and skip the next step.
  4. Type in a name for the account. This is the clickable name that will appear when Windows starts to tell Windows who is logging in. Click on Next when done.
  5. Now you will be asked to choose an account type. Choose Limited. Press Create Account when done.

lock the Administrator account

To make sure the kids don't try to get in through a simple back door you'll want to lock down the Administrator account. The Administrator account is only available in Windows XP via Safe Mode. The Administrator account can change or clear passwords on other Windows XP accounts.

  1. Reboot the computer.
  2. Start tapping on the F8 key before the Windows logo appears. If you've timed it correctly then you'll see a text menu. Use the arrow keys on the keyboard to highlight Safe Mode then hit Enter.
  3. Click on the Administrator. If you are asked for a password then you can stop here.
  4. Click Yes to the dialogue window that appears.
  5. Press the START button then click on Run...
  6. In the Run box type nusrmgr.cpl then press the OK button.
  7. Click on the Administrator account.
  8. Click on Create a password.
  9. Type in a password and again on the second line to confirm. Using a password hint can weaken the security. Leave it blank for better security. Click on Create Password when ready.
  10. Close the User Accounts window.
  11. Restart by clicking START, Turn Off Computer, then Restart.

Use OpenDNS

create a free account

Go to http://www.opendns.com/ and create an account with them. They supply the instructions on how to change the DNS settings on either your computer or your router. You'll also want to use their dynamic IP address updating tool. This will tell OpenDNS your current IP address so the features may be applied.

using the OpenDNS dashboard

The Settings tab is where the action takes place. Use the pull-down menu labeled "Settings for" and select your network.

Try Windows Live Family Safety

You'll need to set up a free account with Windows Live to use this free monitoring service. You can remotely control what people have access to on your computers. Controls can be accessed by logging in on any computer, so if you're away you can log into a public computer with your Live account and adjust settings on any of your home PCs.

Windows Live Family Safety

Content Advisor for Microsoft Internet Explorer

activating the Content Advisor

  1. Start Microsoft Internet Explorer.
  2. Click on the Tools menu then on Internet Options.
  3. Click on the Content tab along the top of the window.
  4. Press the button labeled Enable to activate the content advisor.
  5. Press the Settings button.
  6. Along the top click on the General tab.
  7. Press the Change Password button so you may set a password. This will prevent others from making adjustments.
  8. After setting the password you'll be back at the General tab. Place a checkmark next to User can see sites that have no rating. Without this the ability to view Web sites would be severly hampered.

various functions in the Content Advisor

Approved Sites tab
This is where you can allow specific Web sites to be viewed or blocked. Type in the Web site address then press Always to allow or Never to block. Click on the Web address then Remove to remove the site from the listing. The Web site listing is very specific. www.myspace.com and myspace.com are treated as two completely different sites by the content advisor even though both resolve to the familiar MySpace site. Wildcards like * may be used. *.myspace.com would block all subdomains including www.myspace.com and music.myspace.com.
Rating tab
This is where you can click on a category of content and move a slider to determine what is viewable. You can add in ratings systems by clicking on the General tab and pressing Ratings Systems. Ratings systems files (*.rat) can be downloaded from online ratings sites like SafeSurf.com.

attempting to view a site blocked by Content Advisor

When attempting to visit a site that is blocked by the content advisor you will receive a warning window from the content advisor. Only the person that knows the password will be able to allow viewing. From here the person can permanently allow the entire Web site (all of MySpace.com), only the specific Web page (e.g. http://www.myspace.com/tomeraband), or just a single one-time viewing.