Which internet filter?

Diamond Member Joined: Dec 05 2005 Posts: 3526

I'm looking for a filter for my home computer for the internet. Any recommendations? Preferably free.

Senior Member Joined: Nov 22 2009 Posts: 210

I have K9 on, did you ever try it?

Gold Member Joined: Aug 11 2010 Posts: 1295

My experience with K9 was disastrous.

What has worked well for me is Norton Online Family Safety. They have the standard version, and a version that you have to pay for with some extra features. I don't know how well the extra features work, because I don't need them.

Also, if you have either Windows Vista or 7, Microsoft has a pretty good filter (They call them parental controls.)

Silver Member Joined: Jan 10 2005 Posts: 843

Diamond Member Joined: Dec 05 2005 Posts: 3526

I also tried the K9 once and had an awful experience. I don't remember exactly but I think it blocked the whole internet or s/t. I'll try the other one you mentioned. just curious. what is included in the basic, free pkge? what does it do?

Silver Member Joined: Mar 23 2006 Posts: 642

I'm also looking for a good internet filter.

Does anyone use the Jewish ones? Which are the cheapest?

Silver Member Joined: Jan 27 2009 Posts: 906

very happy with k9

Gold Member Joined: Jan 12 2010 Posts: 2345 Location: US

Posted: Thu, Dec 30 2010, 9:24 am Post subject: re: Which internet filter?

I tried K9 - it was a disaster with facebook, made the whole site come out warped.

The "parental controls" that come installed with IE and FF are only good if the child in question isn't going to circumvent them. (Mine discovered Google Chrome, which doesn't have such a thing. Not only that, but you can surf "hidden", without leaving a trace.)

OpenDns is also free and more sophisticated. Unfortunately, my 13 yo computer genius learned to circumvent even that. So I signed up for an internet service that censors X-rated stuff (in Israel, Internet Rimon) so it can never enter the house - at least that much I could insure.
_________________
Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional. (I haven't finished growing up yet; I'm still a work in progress - until 120!)

Platinum Member Joined: Nov 01 2009 Posts: 8303

We use K9.

Perhaps its been updated? Each website is transmitted to your computer via the K9 filter, so using Chrome wouldn't help.
_________________
Never mistake activity for achievement.

Posted: Thu, Dec 30 2010, 9:52 am Post subject: Re: re: Which internet filter?

Platinum Member Joined: Nov 01 2009 Posts: 8303

Executive Member Joined: Jun 27 2005 Posts: 471

You need to play with your K9 settings to tell it what to block and what not. you can also add facebook to your always allowed list.

a good way to check what category is being blocked is to clear your K9 and then go to the website that is messed up, then view your internet use with K9 and it will tell you what categories came up on that page, and which were blocked. you can then allow the category that gets blocked by going to your settings page. or add the website to your always allowed list.

social networking sites, are blocked by default so you need to uncheck it by going to settings.

Gold Member Joined: May 10 2009 Posts: 1099

Very happy with K9. Extremely easy to download, no charge and blocks exactly what needs to be blocked. It so far never stopped me from not viewing things including facebook,youtube etc. It needed playing around with and that is why you customise it

_________________
Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment

Platinum Member Joined: Nov 17 2008 Posts: 5069

I use a program called WebChaver (based on a program called Covenant Eyes). It is not a filter, but rather an accountability program. It is highly recommended by rabbonim (and was written up within the past year in one of the magazines -- I think Mishpocha). Rav Yitzchok Berkowitz is involved with it.

The way it works is that it doesn't block anything (necessary for the nature of my business). Instead, it emails a report of websites you've visited to your designated "Chaver". It is impossible to access the web getting around it once it is installed (and it cannot be uninstalled without getting a special code from the company). The point is that if you know someone is going to see the sites you've visited, you're not going to go to them. Obviously if someone doesn't care about that it, it won't help. It also won't preclude accidental viewing of problem sites.
_________________
Want to lose weight fast? Want to keep it off easily?

Amazing weight loss program -- ask me how! See my ad with the topic "Lose Weight Quickly and Easily" in the Weight loss and exercise section for more information.

Diamond Member Joined: Dec 05 2005 Posts: 3526

Is K9 a frum program? does it block things automatically or do you need to enter every website?

Gold Member Joined: May 10 2009 Posts: 1099

Gold Member Joined: Jan 12 2010 Posts: 2345 Location: US

Platinum Member Joined: Nov 17 2008 Posts: 5069

Gold Member Joined: Jan 12 2010 Posts: 2345 Location: US