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Level 1

10 points

Safari Parental Controls

Hey Folks - could use some help here... I can't seem to find anyone with the same problem.

I've created a restricted account for my son and understand I must login as him to create bookmarks in his safari browser to websites that I will allow him to visit.

The problem is when I open the browser & try to add a site by entering my admin username & password - nothing happens. Also, when I try to open his bookmarks & type in my admin name & password - it doens't do a thing... but if I hit cancel instead of trying to login - it opens the bookmarks window but I still can't add sites.

Any ideas out there?

Thanks so much in advance.

Mike

P.S. I've tried creating a new account & also got rid of all safari preferences & settings.

MDD G4 Dual 867mhz, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Jun 10, 2009 7:10 PM

25 replies

akayib

Level 1

25 points

Jul 6, 2009 8:54 PM in response to Mike Poirier

I am also having this problem - OS X 10.4.11, all current updates except iTunes and Quicktime, Safari 4 - there is very little doubt in my mind that this is a Safari 4 Tiger bug. I went back to using Safari 3.1.1 and it works completely correctly. I've submitted a bug report to Apple, and you should also do this, if you haven't already done so.

nerd2

Level 1

5 points

Jul 7, 2009 12:41 AM in response to Mike Poirier

This sparked my curiosity, so I created a new user account, proceeded with parental controls and indeed it is flawed. You click on cancel when prompted with administrative user/pass log it will add the site and allow you to access it...

akayib

Level 1

25 points

Jul 8, 2009 2:46 PM in response to Mike Poirier

I note that Apple has released a new version of Safari for Tiger, version 4.0.2 - anyone brave enough to download this and see if it fixes the "parental controls" problem ? I'm playing chicken on this one.

Jul 8, 2009 5:45 PM in response to akayib

Thanks akayib - I'm with you on this one though! LOL

M.A.G.

Level 1

0 points

Jul 8, 2009 6:20 PM in response to akayib

I tried it, it doesn't fix the problem. I guess I'll send another bug report to Apple on this.

akayib

Level 1

25 points

Jul 8, 2009 7:26 PM in response to M.A.G.

Thanks for trying it M.A.G - we'll just have to wait for Apple to hopefully fix this fairly serious problem.

Jul 16, 2009 6:31 AM in response to Mike Poirier

I have Safari 4.0.2, Mac OS X 10.4.11, all updates.

I have a 10-year old daughter.

I use the Parent Controls for her Managed account to enable certain websites she can go to. If the website is not part of the Bookmark Bar, she can't go to that website.

That was under Safari v3.x.

In Safari v4.x, with Parental Control mode enabled, go to any website. It is, at first, denied.
Click the "Add Website" button, cancel the Password dialog, you'll get the add to Bookmark
dialog. Click cancel and the website is STILL added to the bookmark. It does this especially when you have a folder on the Bookmark bar. Safari v4 will add the website to folders in the Bookmark bar on the first go-round.

My daughter inadvertently figured this out. She started trying odd names for websites,
including sex.net. She then clicked on a link at that website and, going through the process above, added it and went to the website.

It was only after she shrilled when she saw the images that I came over and saw what she had seen and learned how she got there.

I did searches on this issue and found many others noting that the security Parental Control in Safari v4 simply does not work. (e.g. this Apple discussion).

You've got some explaining to do, Apple.

Bryan C

akayib

Level 1

25 points

Aug 13, 2009 3:41 AM in response to M.A.G.

Well, Apple has now released Safari 4.0.3. Does anyone know if this fixes the "parental controls" problem on OS X 10.4.11 ?

Thanks

M.A.G.

Level 1

0 points

Aug 25, 2009 5:07 PM in response to akayib

Just got around to loading it today. It works!! I'm really glad that I can once again use Safari 4, going back to 3 was a drag but it kept the kids safe.

akayib

Level 1

25 points

Aug 26, 2009 3:21 AM in response to M.A.G.

Thanks MAG.

I also bit the bullet, and downloaded and installed it yesterday - I haven't really finished testing it, but so far, I'm with you. It seems to be fixed.

Look forward to hearing from others.

Thanks.

Safari Parental Controls