[mlmr]

I have to go to bed. I humbley request that this be kept bumped.

Grateful thanks!

[sd-joe]

With a network and a router, you either need to put software on each of the pc's, or get a router that does the filtering.

The router solution keeps the stuff from even getting to the pc's, and you can schedule times etc. However, none of the solutions are totally foolproof, or childproof.

[Mannaggia l'America]

It's not for the faint of heart to set up, but you could look at Dan's Guardian, but you are going to need a Linux or BSD system to use it.

[TheBattman]

American Family Filter:

http://www.afafilter.net/

[Ramius]

With the cable and router situation you describe there really isn't a "master computer" anymore. The best place to control traffic is at (or rather just behind) the cable router to the Internet.

Look at the Netgear ProSafe series of personal firewalls. You should be able to whitelist certain web sites and block others, and log activity.

But keep in mind: Your kids will always be better at hacking computers than you are. There isn't a box that will monitor their activity better than you. As long as they have physical access to the machines and routers and wires they can and probably will find ways to bypass your security.

[NewRomeTacitus]

Are you using Windows XP? With that operationg system you can set yourself up as a password-protected Administrator and the kids as client users. This will give you control over their internet security and, more importantly, content. Most rough sites comply with a voluntary ratings system that this feature monitors (scum have children, too), but it's not foolproof. Nothing is, but it's a good start.

[nevergore]

Invest in a stealth monitoring program also....This way you can review the kid's IM's and other net access without them knowing it....

No matter what software you load to filter they (or the porn folks & the hackers) will figure a way around it....

The stealth monitoring software will allow you to spot any dangerous trends within your childs on-line behavior and give you some piece of mind....

BTW, you can never divulge that it is there or it will ruin it's effectiveness since the kids will either bypass (depending on how computer savvy) or just guard their comments on the home PC...A good program is Spector Professional, it records all instant messages, e-mails, webb sites and screen shots....also every key stroke...

NeverGore

[PokeyJoe]

Look at a good list of port numbers and block those that you don't like. AND - turn on your router's log (keeps traffic of incoming and outgoing traffic destinations). Everything else is common sense. One thing that worked in our house - I networked the kids computers in the living room. (I have a fully networked house and .... too many computers) You have to trust your kids at some point, but not until they go to college. =)

[Jeff Chandler]

Keep the computers in family areas, and monitor their usage.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

I use a piece of software that is called "Parents Friend". It is written by a chap from Germany and it does all that you require. It is Shareware and the crippled version (in the logfile every 4th Letter will be replaced by a dot) is free. To register it costs $5 I think.

It has the ability to restrict access to the internet browser or any other program at specific times of the day that you can configure. It has a keystroke logfile that shows what keys were pressed and what was clicked on by the mouse and every URL that is access on the internet.

It has been invaluable to me and the mere presence of this software on our 2 networked PCs has kept my kids honest. I've told them what it is and what it does (but not the password to access ti). They know that Dad is watching.

You can download a copy from this site

To register the software, contact the author. His contact info is on the same page.

The only drawback is monetary. The author will require you to load a license key that is particular to each PC you are using it on. So, three computers will require three copies and three licenses. Still, it's fairly inexpensive for what it does.

The only other software that comes close is WinGuardian. I tried that one but it wasn't as robust.

Good luck!

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

BTW, You can read a good description of Parents Friend Here.

[Johnny Gage]

Check out MAX filtering. Max.Com

It costs $10 per month but works great. You can setup individual filtering logins for each family member based on their age, they have their own dial-up ISP or you can use it over broadband.

After a few initial bugs its working great for us.

[bamabaseballmom]

I've used Cyber Sitter for a couple of years and have been very happy with it. You can download it at cybersitter.com.