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General discussion

parental controls for Mozilla Firefox

by maggieboby Oct 28, 2005 9:24AM PDT

My daughter has recently begun to go to sites that I don't approve of her viewing. I have the ability to use any of the various parental controls out there, including the fairly good one provided by my broadband company, provided I use IE -- but I don't.
If anyone out "there" knows of product that is effective with Firefox, please let me know as I'd like to have some control over my daughers' computer.

Thanks in advance!

Discussion is locked

3 Posts
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parental controls for Firefox
by Marianna Schmudlach Oct 28, 2005 9:46AM PDT

Hi Happy

check out http://ape.childcontrols.com
The basic version is free and for a small fee
you can buy a serial number which enables you to
monitor websites and chat from completely online!

.......

Firefox and the Mozilla Suite do not feature built-in parental controls/content filtering/pornography blocking/website blocking features.

The BlockXXX Extension for Firefox provides a content blocking mechanism. It is suitable for blocking accidental visits to objectionable sites. It is not suitable for non-accidental visits because

Read more here: http://kb.mozillazine.org/Parental_controls

Hope this helps Wink

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Maggie, Which Operating System? Maybe Another Option...
by Grif Thomas Forum moderator Oct 28, 2005 10:37AM PDT

Just something to think about...Here's what I did with both my daughter's machines..At the time, they were MY computers in MY house so there were limits set..

First, you'll need Windows 2000 or XP so you can set yourself up as Administrator and the other users as "Limited users". Once that's done, place a HOSTS file with all the inappropriate sites listed. (I use the HPGuru's HOSTS file). The HOSTS file will block all banned sites and it stops the computer from visiting them. If you find any new sites you want to ban, simply add those sites to editable HOSTS file. Make the HOSTS file and the "Etc" folder "Read Only" and "Hide" the "etc" folder which contains the HOSTS file ..so "limited users" can't tinker with the file.

How To Use A HOSTS File

Second, tell your daughter that computer "privileges" will be lost/"grounded" if inappropriate sites are visited by ANYONE using the computer..That generally prevents their friends from using it inappropriately also.

I NEVER had a problem with either daughter...

Hope this helps.

Grif

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parental controls for Mozilla Firefox
by maggieboby Oct 29, 2005 11:10PM PDT

Thank you both so much! I'm thinking I like the idea of using HOSTS. We do have XP on all of our machines.

Since I've "put the hammer down" on her browsing experience, she's been much better -- I think some of this was a "phase" that she needed to get through. The novelty wore off and my very clear feelings on her being on those type of sites and what would happen if it continued seemed to do the trick! (Isn't parenting wonderful???)

Once again, I appreciate the info!

Maggie

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