I need a program that not only blocks websites but also keeps kids from downloading file from the web?

Answer 1

Norton Internet Security has a "parental control" function which works pretty nicely.

If you're worried about sexual content, from my experience it stops any activity to and from questionable sites.

Answer 2

Try the free Google Desktop (http://desktop.google.com/). In addition to files and folders, it searches instant messaging logs, e-mail and Web pages that you have viewed. This can be a good way for parents to monitor where their kids surf online.

MSN offers a similar free program called Windows Desktop Search (http://desktop.msn.com/). Yahoo has developed its own free Yahoo! Desktop Search (http://desktop.yahoo.com/).

If the files contain pornography, consider using Picasa 2 (a free photo-organizing program from Google at http://picasa.google.com/). When you run Picasa 2, it will find and organize every picture on your hard drive.

Internet filters are made specifically to handle Web site blocking. Typically they let you specify only sites to be blocked—all other sites are allowed. There is a free program available that can help filter out Web sites that have inappropriate words or content:
http://www.tpg.com/au/adslgoej/

Some filters do the opposite—you specify sites that you want and all other sites are blocked.
ChildWebGuardian (http://www.childwebguardian.com/ $30)
Bsafe Online (http://www.besafehome.com/ $50)
Safe Eyes (http://www.safeeyes.com/ $50).

Filter programs come with a lot of other features for parents. Features can include keylogging, Web browsing reports or timers.

In Windows XP you can restrict the availability of your Web browser by hiding it using the Windows’ Program Access settings: Click Start, Control Panel. Double-click Add or Remove Programs. Select ‘Set Program Access and Defaults’ from the menu. Select ‘Custom’ from the list of options. Find your Web browser in the list of programs. Uncheck the box labeled ‘Enable access to this program.’ Then click OK.

But you will have to reverse the setting to use the browser (which is an inconvenience). Also, your children might eventually learn to change the settings themselves.

Another way to restrict Web browser is through password protection. This requires a password each time the Web browser is started.
Password Door (http://www.toplang.com/passworddoor.htm $30)
Program Protector (http://www.blumentals.net/protector $30)
PrivateEXE (http://www.fatfreesoft.com/pexe.php $30)


To block certain Websites:
If you use Internet Explorer, you can use its built-in Content Advisor to block selected sites. To activate Content Advisor: open Internet Explorer. Click Tools, Internet Options. Select the Content tab and click Enable.

Select the General tab and click Create Password. You can also enter a hint should you ever forget your password.

In the Content Advisor window, select the Approved Sites tab. Here you can enter the names of sites that you want to block. Under ‘Allow this Web site,’ enter the address of the site you wish to exclude. Be sure to enter the full address. After entering this address, click the Never button. That tells Content Advisor to never allow the Web site. You can enter addresses for other sites as well.

When finish, click OK, OK.

Answer 3

It's called Good Parenting.
Kids don't do what they are told, no computer.
Lock it up if you have to.