My biggest problem now is my mobile phone, with it’s high speed data connection and full web browser. I’d really like to know how to corrupt the browser so that it doesn’t work, but hacking Symbian OS is way above my level of technical expertise…

I think more attention needs to be paid to these mobile devices. They are MUCH harder to control and much harder to live without. Filtering and monitoring software for mobile platforms is a golden opportunity for developers right now.

DansGuardian’s ability stems from reading the pages before they get to you rather than updating a list of sites that becomes outdated. It can use those too nonetheless for a speed increase. Getting around it can be made challenging also if one allows for a box to sit in front of their connection that they do not have user/pass access to. Although, understood in a home that physical access can void this security.

It comes down to dealing with the problem when it happens. If you aren’t aware of what is going on with your computer, then it doesn’t matter what sort of filtering you are doing.

This is the way I have seen most enterprises work this issue as well. Some DO block known bad web sites, but this is secondary to their primary security. If you thought of it like viri, you try to block know holes, but you run sniffers and scanners to make sure you find out about new threats as they happen. One of my employers filtered out webmail systems to prevent unknown files from entering their network.

There are good Linux based proxy and firewall solutions. I would think that an appliance PC would not be a difficult solution for most.

I would also recommend turning off access when it is unlikely that supervision is available. My child is still to young to walk, but I will probably start blocking all internet access from 11pm to 7am soon anyway, as there really isn’t a reason for anyone in my house to be playing around then anyway.

You dont really need to log the pictures and files that come across your wire, just the reference to them. That isn’t as hard as it seems, especially if you put a box between you and the outside world.

The nice thing about a log is that there is no reason to ever turn it off. If there is a big hole in the log while your spouse is on the computer, you need to ask them some questions. This works even for non-technical people, as long as they can view the logs.

I too used to try and find the “right” kind of filter for secure access, setting up user accounts, whitelisting, blacklisting, etc… In the end I have non-admin accounts for the kids, multiple computers in the home, main PC in an open area, and the rest are laptops (Wife’s MacBook, and my work laptop) although our children are all under the age of 11 and homeschooled, they still know they need to ask for permission and Mom/Dad have to check websites before they visit them. So far it has worked… we are very open with them. My wife has had sexual predators in her past and it has almost forced us to talk to our kids about their bodies. We too try to teach them correct principles and then have them govern themselves. I/filters can’t be there for them 100% of the time, but the Holy Ghost can if they are governing themselves appropriately. Which is the same for all us.

This is where it gets interesting… I run the IT departement at a software developement company. We we’re having problems with our filtering technology that was causing business interuptions. After speaking with the President his response was, “Turn the filters off, they (the employees) can govern themselves.” I agreed with him and our net access is wide open to this day. We have thought about piping people through a proxy such as Microsoft’s ISA server, but mostly from “who’s stealing all the bandwidth?” question.

To filter or not to filter… that is the question. My honest heart felt answer is no one knows you or your kids better than you and of course our Heavenly parents. This decision, as most, must always be decided upon with the help of the Holy Ghost. If you do decide to filter there are some great tools available to accomplish the task. Otherwise, happy surfing.

If your kids are going through the trouble of hacking your setup just to avoid filtering and parental oversight, you have a serious trust issue, and your kid is probobly already got some problems that need addressed… (I’m not saying it’s your fault, but you must take an active role in remedying it!)

Education, communication, and a simple implemntation of a sensible filtering solution should be proficient. Just ry not to block the entire Internet, it’s such a useful tool, and essential to proper education in todays enviroment.

My concern, though, is that as my children grow older, they could end up at a friend’s house unsupervised. So along the way, we are trying to teach them the principles to help them keep themselves safe and clean.

We had a bishop who used to say: “We want to put them in an armored car, but we can’t; we need to help them put on the armor of God.” I love that.

As I understand it, PAF has no support and no fixes or enhancements will be made. I know that several companies are creating PAF look-a-likes. What are the chances of getting the source code or it going into public domain?

[Joel: I've forwarded your question the Family History folks who work with developers. Thanks.]