Computer Security

As parents who are trying to control the amount and type of computer use our children engage in, it feels like we are under constant attack by highly motivated hackers. We have come to understand that there is, as yet, no solution that we can put into place and know with assurance that we have "done it", kept our children safe. When they were little, we had the computer upstairs in a room off the bedroom and even though Dode and I were not worried about what each other were doing on the computer, we followed the counsel given in General Conference and moved it into a public place. We're lucky in that where we live now, there is a large counter with two areas that can be used as desks where the computers and their accessories fit in the kitchen.

                                            Computers in a public place, is that all that is required? Hardly!

Then the real work began. We are trying to do two things, restrict their Internet use to safe sites and limit the amount of time they spend on the computer. 

Limiting Computer Use
We used to struggle with ways to track computer use, like having them set a timer.  We didn't want them on for hours a day so the rule was, you set a timer when you get on.  The kids would often forget to set the timer and a conversation like this would play out. "You've been on a long time, it's time to get off." The responses ranged from, "Just a minute", "I need to get to a save point", "I just got on!". A half hour later I'd realize they were STILL on the computer and I would have to be the bad guy. It would take more than a few reminders and me standing right over their shoulder before they'd log off.  Then, a little later, I'd find them back on again and we'd repeat the cycle.  We found a program (XP Protector) that will do the hard work for me.  Each child has their own account to log in under with unique log in restrictions.  We allow 30 minutes 5 days a week or 1 hour three days a week, their choice.  They choose which days they want to use the computer with the exception of Sunday.  We don't count homework time against their limits.  It restricts when they can access the computer (at what hours and days of the week) and for how long.   We didn't need to kick them off the computer anymore and were able to control when it was used.  Any time before noon and after 8 pm, it won't let them log in to their account.  And, five minutes before their time runs out they get a warning telling them to save now.  Because the program is designed to work in XP and we've not been able to find one for Vista, we are stuck using an older operating system. 

But, that still wasn't working perfectly. A crafty child figured out a way to get the computer to not load the program that allowed for log in restrictions. He was complaining of being tired all the time. Funny how that will happen when you're only getting 3 hours of sleep because you've snuck onto the computer all night most nights of the week.  We disabled the account of said child who lost computer privileges for months while we tried to figure out what to do.  But, as soon as you tell this child "No", he starts trying to figure out a way around that "no". Careful observation and time home alone allowed that lovely child to figure out the passwords of other children and regain access to the computer using their computer privileges. So, our newest solution is a fingerprint reader. Each child has to swipe their finger to access their account.

So far, it's working, although I'm sure he's going to try out some of the solutions for lifting fingerprints he's seen in spy shows! At least all the children have their computer privileges back.

Keeping the Internet Safe
We know we still don't have the perfect solution for keeping the Internet safe for the kids.   We've used a few different filters.  The first one we used was a program we paid for.  It worked so well that there was no parental override if you wanted to allow a site (like blogger).  When our computer crashed and we had to start over, we chose to use a free filter instead of re-purchasing the $100 filter we started with.  K-9 is our current filter.  With this filter, we can allow sites that would typically be blocked under the most restrictive heading, like craigslist, blogger, etc.  As long as the filter is running, the kids are safer.  But, the filter can be bypassed by using the password or telling the computer not to load the filter.  So, part of our night time routine has become taking the power source to the DSL modem upstairs to bed with us. I also try to take it with me when I leave the house, but it's difficult to remember.  Having no internet truly is the only bulletproof filter!  We need a better solution and I'm glad Dode is knowledgeable about these things.  I've also come to realize that no solution will work forever.  As computer technology changes, we have to adapt along with it.

Using a filter doesn't just restrict the kids, it does us as well.  Open images on google?  Not on our machines.  Trying to get on the computer really early in the morning to print out a produce check out?  You'd better remember that password to override the restrictions!  K-9 not working for some reason and it's your one chance to check email and update your blog that day and you're in the middle of Montana?  Out of luck!  Although encountering these obstacles can be frustrating, it's worth it to keep our kids safe.