Tom Christo asks:
My two sons’ PCs and laptops are part of my home network and I am the host machine. Is there software available or other means where I can either limit (shape) their online access or temporarily stop it for a few hours while they are studying for exams?
Obviously I would still like to be able to access the Internet during this time. Thanks!
Browser: Firefox 12
System: Windows 7 Enterprise
Tagged: add restrictions, block user, internet access, wireless network
System: Windows 7 Enterprise
Tagged: add restrictions, block user, internet access, wireless network
7 Answers -
ha14
May 31, 2012perhaps if you install k9 web protection on their laptop you can restrict internet usage according your chosen periode
http://www1.k9webprotection.com/
CCProxy
http://www.youngzsoft.net/ccproxy/accmgr.htm
openDNS
http://www.opendns.com/home-solutions/
http://www.opendns.com/home-solutions/parental-controls
Thanks ha14 but getting access to their laptops/tablets would be like me climbing Everest, extremely difficult. They are teenagers after all
May 31, 2012Further question ha14, CCProxy looks to be a suitable program but before I hand over my hard earned, would I need to install that just on my (host) machine or each individual laptop as well?
Thanks for your help.
May 31, 2012install on your pc server
Sharing Internet Connection via Proxy Server
http://www.youngzsoft.net/ccproxy/internet-connection-share.htm
How to Apply Win 7 Internet Sharing
http://www.youngzsoft.net/ccproxy/win-7-internet-sharing.htm
Manage Family Web Access using CCProxy
http://ttlinkdiscussion.blogspot.fr/2011/06/manage-family-web-access-using-ccproxy.html
Install CCProxy on the Server
May 31, 2012http://www.youngzsoft.net/ccproxy/quick_start.htm
http://www.youngzsoft.net/ccproxy/internet-proxy-server.htm
http://www.youngzsoft.net/ccproxy/faq.htm
Bruce Epper
May 31, 2012In some cases, the security suite may have parental controls built into them where you can control their access. For some of them, it is a free add-on package (such as Norton – or at least it was the last time I needed to investigate it).
You may also be able to use the parental controls in Windows Live. (www.live.com)
Thanks Bruce, we all use Microsoft Security Essentials and from what I can see, there is no parental controls
May 31, 2012Alan Wade
May 31, 2012Go to your routers homepage, usually 192.168.1.1 (check your manual). Once there, you will find the options to limit the hours access to the internet for each of the machines.
Again either post the make of your router or read through its manual.
Thanks Alan, my router is a Belkin and I have gone into it’s settings but there is nothing there to limit or stop the wifi connection
May 31, 2012Try this link Tom, it explains it a bit better: http://www.ehow.com/how_6955758_use-limit-people_s-internet-usage.html
June 2, 2012Oron
May 31, 2012If you are using Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) to give them access to the internet via your computer, why not just switch it off at the relevant times?
Seconded, this is the simplest solution.
June 1, 2012Rob Mey
May 31, 2012It is possible to to use Port Forwarding for some services such as Bit Torrent to make sure that the these services are NOT used. QoS is part of most modern routers to prioritize different types of traffic. The key question I think you wanted answered is restricting access to “questionable” sites and perhaps what hours any user or machine can access the Internet. At the router level I’m not sure but if you are sharing the Internet connection from your home machine there are some possibilities depending on your particular config.
franktan
May 31, 2012I would suggest a software solution like Safe Eyes which is now part of McAfee. http://www.internetsafety.com/safe-eyes-parental-control-software.php
Safe Eyes allows you to restrict online access times, amount of time per day, and website restrictions. If you decide to go this route, you should google coupon codes for Safe Eyes. There are several available.
FIDELIS
May 31, 2012Hello, you could also try using the parental controls. Keep in mind that you have to setup the parental controls under their accounts. If possible, make sure that you are setup as the administrator for their systems. Here is a link showing you how to implement them under windows 7:
http://www.techtalkz.com/windows-7/516005-how-configure-parental-controls-windows-7-a.html