Need Help Blocking Chat software!

[mojothemonkey]

Hi, I know there are a lot of knowledgable people browing this forum and I thought it would be a great place to start.

My brother (9th grade) is basically addicted to Instant Messeging, and its cutting into his study time dramatically and his grades are dropping as a result. He uses the internet legitimately for his homework (research, online "blackboard", etc.), but as soon as iChat opens, all progress stops. Threats, punishments, and other means dont work (its that time of life) and also because he goes on there when my parents are out of the house. I'm living away from home going to school, so I'm not there. They are desparate to find a way to block is IM usage.

Computer at issue: iMac G4, latest OSX version
Users: Just my brother (we're prepared to restict it to just word/safari)
Connection: LAN - router (new netgear router, supposedly lots of features)

My brother isnt computer savvy, but he knows enough to be able to install a program that is deleted, or download an alternative chat client to get around a specific block. I've heard of ways to block ports that take care of this problem, and I guess thats the solution I'm looking for.

Any help is GREATLY appreciated. thanks everyone

 

[eva01]

There is a parental thing in Tiger.

Also if your parents reformat the HD and create their own Admin account, they can create an account for your brother that can only access certain programs and not able to install programs as well.

Its in the options for creating a second account

but if your brother learns how to use AIM Express (can't remember if that needs AIM installed or not) but if he can use it, your screwed if you let him use Safari, as it is AIM through Internet and not a separate program

 

[mojothemonkey]

Thanks, but this fails to incorporate the threat from aimxpress (website-based chat application that doesnt need to install any program - i think it runs through java).

That is a good idea, and I suppose that the router could be used to block that specific website, but he's got a lot of mp3's, pictures, work, etc on his computer. Its not backed up right now (i know, always a terrible idea), but I think that can be fixed.

Also, does the HD need to be reformatted? I thought you could create a new account any time.

Great idea, I'll keep it in mind as a last resort. Thanks

 

[mkrishnan]

Also if your parents reformat the HD and create their own Admin account, they can create an account for your brother that can only access certain programs and not able to install programs as well.

You can also create a new admin account from within the existing admin account, log out, and back in as the new account, and then de-admin the old account and drop it down to the limited programs / simple finder mode. In Panther, I decided to drop my main account from admin for a while to see if it had any security benefits, and then lost interest.

 

[eva01]

You can also create a new admin account from within the existing admin account, log out, and back in as the new account, and then de-admin the old account and drop it down to the limited programs / simple finder mode. In Panther, I decided to drop my main account from admin for a while to see if it had any security benefits, and then lost interest.

ah didn't know that.

Still don't know if AIM Express needs AIM installed or not

 

[mojothemonkey]

Will the features available in the standard parental controls be able to prevent the install of an alternative client? (ie: can it prevent user from installing <any> applications?)

Sorry for the seemingly find-out-for-yourself questions. I'm not typing from a Mac right now. I know them well, but my lawschool requires a PC laptop to take the tests...

 

[eva01]

http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/family/

 

[mkrishnan]

ah didn't know that.

Still don't know if AIM Express needs AIM installed or not

I don't think it does. MSN has msn2go also.

As far as built in controls, though, if you make his account an administered account with parental controls, I believe you can limit his navigation to only websites that you have bookmarked for him (I think it gives access to the whole domain, so that you can navigate within, say, the New York Times, if you have access to it, but if it sends you offsite, it will be blocked). You could use this to block msn2go and AIM Express.

That feature is described in brief on the Apple website, but I have never used it personally, so I don't know exactly how it works.

 

[super mini (mac]

Hi, I know there are a lot of knowledgable people browing this forum and I thought it would be a great place to start.

My brother (9th grade) is basically addicted to Instant Messeging, and its cutting into his study time dramatically and his grades are dropping as a result. He uses the internet legitimately for his homework (research, online "blackboard", etc.), but as soon as iChat opens, all progress stops. Threats, punishments, and other means dont work (its that time of life) and also because he goes on there when my parents are out of the house. I'm living away from home going to school, so I'm not there. They are desparate to find a way to block is IM usage.

Computer at issue: iMac G4, latest OSX version
Users: Just my brother (we're prepared to restict it to just word/safari)
Connection: LAN - router (new netgear router, supposedly lots of features)

My brother isnt computer savvy, but he knows enough to be able to install a program that is deleted, or download an alternative chat client to get around a specific block. I've heard of ways to block ports that take care of this problem, and I guess thats the solution I'm looking for.

Any help is GREATLY appreciated. thanks everyone

does he have his own account?


make sure he does, and make settings to only administrator can add programmes etc. so he is only linited to normal stuff

 

[SummerBreeze]

Will the features available in the standard parental controls be able to prevent the install of an alternative client? (ie: can it prevent user from installing <any> applications?)

Sorry for the seemingly find-out-for-yourself questions. I'm not typing from a Mac right now. I know them well, but my lawschool requires a PC laptop to take the tests...

I'm pretty sure that with a limited account, you won't be able to install any alternate programs. Here is more information about parental controls. You can also limit access to Safari, this is what it says on the Apple website.

Start your kids’ Web exploration off on the right foot with Safari Parental Controls. Specify exactly which websites your children access by bookmarking only those sites on the Safari Bookmarks Bar. With Safari Parental Controls enabled, your kids browse only the sites on the Bookmarks Bar. New web addresses typed into the address field or non-approved sites linked from approved sites will not load on Safari. Instead, an error message appears, giving your child the option to request approval on blocked pages.

 

[mojothemonkey]

Thanks for the speedy, on-point, and helpful information guys. I just got off the phone with my father and he's in the process of implementing the changes discussed above.

 

[super mini (mac]

Thanks for the speedy, on-point, and helpful information guys. I just got off the phone with my father and he's in the process of implementing the changes discussed above.

no probs, and good luck

 

[crazzyeddie]

Ok, heres what needs to be done:

Block the use of iChat and installing of new apps (using Tiger's parental controls).

Block access to aim.com (your router should be able to do this, and no one really uses this site except to download AIM or use AIM Express).

That should prevent him from IM'ing without making everyone else in the family suffer. If he gets really savvy and starts to use MSN or Yahoo! chat, just block those sites too (on the router, assuming no one in your house is using MSN or Yahoo! on a daily basis).

 

[mac-er]

I think Apple's Parental Controls will let you block specific websites....so just block http://www.aim.com and http://www.aol.com

 

[cjc343]

I haven't personally used Parental Controls much, but as far as blocking individual sites goes, add a line to /etc/hosts that redirects the site to 127.0.0.1

You need Admin access to modify /etc/hosts so your brother would not be able to change it.

Exploring Parental Controls is probably the easiest way though...

 

[Chacala_Nayarit]

Make him get ajob pumping gas, bagging groceries, et cetera, and then ask him if he wants to do that for the rest of his life? :O