How to Filter Out Inappropriate Websites for Your Kids

No one wants their children stumbling across an adult website. Using one of following approaches will give you some piece of mind. There are two primary ways to filter inappropriate websites - router-based and computer/device-based. Each solution provides the ability to block access to websites based on various aspects like nudity, drug use and gambling. No solution is 100% but each of these solutions is very good which means you can relax...some.

A website filter can also reduce the chance of your kids downloading viruses since malicious websites are also filtered out.

1. Router-based - if you have a home network, all Internet traffic flows through your router.  This is the preferred option because it will control all Internet enabled devices that connect to it.

Options:

• OpenDNS.com - http://www.opendns.com/familyshield/ - this service is "free" for non-business use.  Setup is easy.  Watch the video to the right.

2. Computer/Device-based - install filter software on each computer or device.  With the increasing number of Internet enabled devices this can be impossible and a maintenance headache for parents.  This software can be found as stand-alone applications or as part of a security suite.

Options:

• OpenDNS.com - http://www.opendns.com/familyshield/ - this service is "free" for non-business use and can be configured at the computer rather than the router level if desired.
• BlueCoat - http://www.bluecoat.com/products/k9web - this is a "free" application that is installed on each computer.  We used this service until our kids started buying the iPod Touch at which time we switched to a router-based solution.

More Information:

• Wikipedia - Content-control software