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Traditional Catholic Faith => Catholic Living in the Modern World => Topic started by: Carissima on May 11, 2019, 10:41:19 PM

Title: Internet Filter
Post by: Carissima on May 11, 2019, 10:41:19 PM
Hey all,

I am looking for updated information on the best internet filters available in 2019, especially those for families with children. 
My kids use our ipad for games and we keep the wifi turned off so no ads to worry about so far. But we recently got a laptop for the kids to do some homeschool programs online, and unfortunatley I don't have much experience with filtering internet popup ads, so not sure where to start with setting it up for their safe use.
I think I've been lucky with Apple as we have never had any issues with the standard filters they have on them. 8 years with an Apple iphone and ipad with no bad popups so far. I am pretty low tech when it comes to computers so I like that Apple streamlines their phones and ipads. I know we won't have that luxury with a laptop. 
I did do some research on changing the internet dsn after reading it was the best and quickest way to block pornography from coming into the home, but unfortunatley discovered that having ATT, it has the dsn locked onto theirs only. 
So I guess that only leaves the third party internet filter option, is that right?
Title: Re: Internet Filter
Post by: Ascetik on May 14, 2019, 11:41:59 AM
By "dsn" I assume you mean DNS. DNS can be changed at the adapter level on the laptop, so if it's wifi or an ethernet connection you could change it to OpenDNS IP addresses there on the adapter itself: E.G.: https://www.windowscentral.com/how-change-your-pcs-dns-settings-windows-10 Make sure you do it for both the LAN and Wireless adapters. I also have AT&T Fiber, the only way to assign OpenDNS on your network is to do the above or buy a separate wireless router, which could be a pain to setup if you're not that technical.

DNS assigning on the adapter is very easy to do though, I would go with that. It would only effect that one device though.

Use these two IP's:

208.67.222.222
208.67.220.220


Also, if you do this, make sure you create Non-Administrator accounts for the kids so they cannot change this setting.

Regarding blocking ads and things like that I use the Extension "Ublock Origin", it's free and works great on Firefox. It even removed ads from YouTube.

You could also install the Convenant Eyes software on the laptop, which generates reports for you if they view anything dicey. It's 12$ a month, but can be used on multiple machines, and smartphones.

I hope that helps. I've been working IT for 15 years, so I'm pretty familiar with how to lock-down PC's. If you have any more questions let me know.
Title: Re: Internet Filter
Post by: Ladislaus on May 14, 2019, 11:57:00 AM
I love this device.  I've had it for a couple of years.  https://koalasafe.com/ (https://koalasafe.com/)   Takes just a few minutes to set up, and there's no recurring fee.  You can control/filter an unlimited number of devices.

I connect it to our main WiFi router.  ... could be wired also if you prefer ...  It creates another WiFi network.  I tell the kids the password for that WiFi network but keep the one for the main network a closely guarded secret.  You can have extremely fine control, from blocking absolutely everything unless you explicitly allow it to applying various filters.  When I turned the purity-related filters on, it actually filtered out sites like "Victoria's Secret".  I was just testing how far their standards went, and they're pretty solid.  But the safest best is to block everything but then allow specific sites by request as needed.
Title: Re: Internet Filter
Post by: Quo vadis Domine on May 14, 2019, 02:21:58 PM
I love this device.  I've had it for a couple of years.  https://koalasafe.com/ (https://koalasafe.com/)   Takes just a few minutes to set up, and there's no recurring fee.  You can control/filter an unlimited number of devices.

I connect it to our main WiFi router.  ... could be wired also if you prefer ...  It creates another WiFi network.  I tell the kids the password for that WiFi network but keep the one for the main network a closely guarded secret.  You can have extremely fine control, from blocking absolutely everything unless you explicitly allow it to applying various filters.  When I turned the purity-related filters on, it actually filtered out sites like "Victoria's Secret".  I was just testing how far their standards went, and they're pretty solid.  But the safest best is to block everything but then allow specific sites by request as needed.
I hate the company, Apple, however all of are devices are Apple products. One thing I do like is that they have a feature called “screen time” which allows you to do the same thing. I block everything except a few select sites.
Title: Re: Internet Filter
Post by: Quo vadis Domine on May 15, 2019, 01:07:16 PM
I hate the company, Apple, however all of are devices are Apple products. One thing I do like is that they have a feature called “screen time” which allows you to do the same thing. I block everything except a few select sites.
Correction: “our” devices, not “are” devices.
Title: Re: Internet Filter
Post by: Carissima on May 15, 2019, 07:58:09 PM
By "dsn" I assume you mean DNS. DNS can be changed at the adapter level on the laptop, so if it's wifi or an ethernet connection you could change it to OpenDNS IP addresses there on the adapter itself: E.G.: https://www.windowscentral.com/how-change-your-pcs-dns-settings-windows-10 Make sure you do it for both the LAN and Wireless adapters. I also have AT&T Fiber, the only way to assign OpenDNS on your network is to do the above or buy a separate wireless router, which could be a pain to setup if you're not that technical.

DNS assigning on the adapter is very easy to do though, I would go with that. It would only effect that one device though.

Use these two IP's:

208.67.222.222
208.67.220.220


Also, if you do this, make sure you create Non-Administrator accounts for the kids so they cannot change this setting.

Regarding blocking ads and things like that I use the Extension "Ublock Origin", it's free and works great on Firefox. It even removed ads from YouTube.

You could also install the Convenant Eyes software on the laptop, which generates reports for you if they view anything dicey. It's 12$ a month, but can be used on multiple machines, and smartphones.

I hope that helps. I've been working IT for 15 years, so I'm pretty familiar with how to lock-down PC's. If you have any more questions let me know.
DNS yes. Oops  :D
Thank you so much for this help I am very grateful to you in taking the time to answer my questions. I will be trying all of the above. 
God bless 
Title: Re: Internet Filter
Post by: Carissima on May 15, 2019, 08:00:02 PM
I love this device.  I've had it for a couple of years.  https://koalasafe.com/ (https://koalasafe.com/)   Takes just a few minutes to set up, and there's no recurring fee.  You can control/filter an unlimited number of devices.

I connect it to our main WiFi router.  ... could be wired also if you prefer ...  It creates another WiFi network.  I tell the kids the password for that WiFi network but keep the one for the main network a closely guarded secret.  You can have extremely fine control, from blocking absolutely everything unless you explicitly allow it to applying various filters.  When I turned the purity-related filters on, it actually filtered out sites like "Victoria's Secret".  I was just testing how far their standards went, and they're pretty solid.  But the safest best is to block everything but then allow specific sites by request as needed.
Thank you Ladislaus, I will definitely be trying this too!  
God bless