I am looking to purchase software that would block access to sites that my children should not be visiting on both my MacBook Pro and an older iMac. I am aware of the Parental Controls features of the operating system but I have no interest in using that. I am looking for software that will block access on the main user account (meaning my login account).
Thanks for any help,
JK
Parental controls will do that if you set it up correctly. But first you must make sure your account has a secure password. Secure passwords mean something you keep in a drawer that has a lock that only you have the key to open, and not show your kids when they are in the room. It can't be based on any English word, or birthday known to your kids. Mix upper and lowercase and add some random numbers. See http://support.apple.com/kb/ht2900 for more tips.
Furthermore, don't allow your kids access to any system CDs. As from those CDs they can reset the administrator password.
Anyone who has access to the admin account could disable the software.
Ok wanted to make sure I understood what you all are suggesting that I do with Parental Controls.
1) Set up a new account and enable Parentals Controls but enable everything else so that I can use this account as well.
2) On the Admin account set the password so that it is complex enough that the kids can't figure it out.
The reason I was initially against Parental Controls is that I couldn't add them to the Admin account which is the account I use on a day by day basis so you continually have to remember to log out of the Admin account and onto the account w/ Parental Controls when you leave the computer.
That's pretty much correct. You don't need to protect yourself from visiting unsuitable websites; you only need to protect your kids, and they shouldn't have access to your account.
I caution you, though, that if you get into an arms race over Internet restrictions with your kids, you will lose, unless they're very young or very stupid. A better approach, in my opinion, is to make your wishes known to them and then supervise their Internet usage to make sure they comply. You can do that with Parental Controls. As Ronald Reagan said, "Trust, but verify."
Admin should be you, then, you could set accounts for each child, or just have a general account for all of them, like the "guest user" account with parental controls. Then enable "fast user switching".
Whenever you are finished and leave the computer, all you have to do is click on your account name in the top right of the menu bar and select the guest account. That is the easiest way to transition.
When you come back to the computer, simply click on the "Guest user", again in the top right of the menu bar and select your account name. It will prompt you for the password, then voila...
Side Note:
I leave my computer on 24/7 and never shut it off. When not in use, it goes into sleep mode, and awakens at a preset hour in the moring just in time for the alarm I set to go off, or whenever I tap on the keys to use it again.
It's not for everyone, but I do not have time to wait for my computer to turn on from shutdown, time is of the essence...
And as much as possible, encourage your kids to ask you questions if they happen to visit a website that makes them feel uncomfortable. Because no matter how hard you try, there is always a chance some website might get through the controls. At some point your kid may visit a home, or someone at school may work around the parental controls at the school, and the kid will see something you may not want them to see. The best you can do, is be open with your kid, and be frank that world is somewhat dangerous place for those who aren't informed. It is better to inform gently. After all movies are Parental Guidance for a reason. You have to give guidance at some point. You can't assume the kid will always be protected. You might as well shut off the TV, hide the newspapers, magazines, and all other media, as half the commercials out there if not more are geered towards their consumption and esire to consume, and begging you to buy things. At some point "1984" style censorship will fail.
Look into switching to OpenDNS for your DNS servers. You filter out ****, gambling, etc. etc. so they cannot access.
I use it for myself and companies all the time.
Child Internet Safety Software
