Installing a filter is only the first step in protecting your family from inappropriate content on the Internet. Here are a few pragmatic suggestions to help ensure your filter is being successful in preventing access to inappropriate material:
- Regularly review the reports that are offered by your filter. There are powerful reports that will tell you how people are using your computer. Don’t ignore this valuable source of data.
- Periodically check the browser history. Watch for any websites that allow you to be re-directed to a different website address (this is called a “proxy site”). This is a clear warning sign that someone is attempting to bypass the filter.
- Check your filter settings to see if they can enforce “safe search” on search sites. Ensure this is turned on and functional.
- Consider whether you need to block access to image searches. If you block image searches, you have to be present to type in the override password whenever someone wants to search images.
- Watch for new browsers being installed on your system. Some filters only work with certain browsers, so one way for people to get around the filter is to install a browser that isn’t filtered. Look at the “Add/Remove” programs to see if there are new applications that you do not recognize.
- Don’t allow your children to have administrative accounts on your computer. Without admin rights, they cannot install applications. This can be a huge problem. Many parents don’t know how to install or uninstall applications; therefore, they make their children the administrators for the computer. With the administrator password, your children can do anything they want to the computer without your knowledge.
- Set time restrictions that only allow Internet access during the hours of the day when several people are in the home. Don’t allow Internet access at night.
- Set administrator passwords, and don’t allow your children to know them. Change them often. In some cases, both parents will be required in order to enter the override password – each parent must enter half of the password.