Here you will find information about the use of technology, a free service from our own Parish Computer Technician, Mr. Robert Buss.
How can you keep children, or yourself for that matter, from going to inappropriate websites? Considering everything and anything is on the web, you don't want to come across a website that could cause you embarrassment or have to try to explain why that website is on the computer you are using. Besides making sure your internet browser(s) settings are on the strictest level, these settings can make web surfing extrememly difficult. The best control is to use the default, or recommended settings your web browser offers and install web "control" programs to enhance your security. Here are some useful software programs:
1. Remember McGruff the Crime Dog? He now has a web-safety program called McGruff SafeGuard. You can monitor/filter out chat rooms, emails, social network profiles, plus alert you to key topics including drugs, bullying, and sexual content. It is free and you can find it at
www.gomcgruff.com
2. Another monitoring/filtering program is BlueCoat K9 Web Protection. With the administration controls you can decide what is appropriate and what isn't. If a child, or yourself, tries to enter an inappropriate site, K9 will block the site and will immediately alert you. At that time you can continue to block the site or with a password allow it to be viewed. Depending upon how strict you create the settings, you'll find that some of the sites blocked are not as bad as K9 deems. Such as, the word "cigarette" might be blocked becuase you restricted any discussion of tobacco use. For free and at
www1.k9webprotection.com
3. Windows 7 has parental controls as well. These are not as heavy handed as the 2 mentioned above, but it does filter out age inappropriate material. It is free and you can find it under the Control Panel, then click on User Account and Family Settings.
4. A program that works well, but will cost $99.00 per year, is eblaster. This program will send a copy of the emails, web searches, and social network(s) site info directly to your inbox. You can control was is accepatable to view and search and what is not. You can find it here:
www.spectorsoft.com
5. For those of you who understand technology better, you can use a program from OpenDNS. They offer a free filter "system" called Family Shield. If you do not know how to log into your router, this isn't for you. If you do know how a router works and can log into yours, you should go to this site:
www.opendns.com