Locking out the kids 1

[dapotter]

Sorry if this is not the correct forum to post to. The kids are getting a new PC for Christmas. All four are under seven and tend to click everywhere. I would like to set the computer up so they're limited to some subset of tasks that I define (which wouldn't include using Explorer or even the Start button and might limit the websights they can visit). The new PC runs WinXP Home edition (I didn't see a XP Home forum). Can anyone point me in the direction I need to go to learn how to perform advanced administration of user account (the options on the control panel seem quite limited)?

Thanks
Don

 

[Papa4]

This is how I do it. Others may have different ideas>

Log in as Administrator (or OWNER for XPhome), then go to
Control Panel. Double click on "User Accounts". From this
screen you can create a user account for each of your kids.

By default, they will be created with Admin privs. Leave them this way until you have logged into each of your kids
accounts and setup the desktop, mail, IE and anything else you want. Then go back into the "User Accounts" as the administrator, and set the kids to "Limited Accounts". They won't be able to change much, nor will they be able to install new programs.

Always install new programs from the Administrator account
so that they have all the privs needed to run. Some programs will ask you if you want ALL USERS to have access to the program, and if you answer YES, each user that exists will get a desktop icon and can run the program.

So games are not so XP aware and will only run from the account that you install it from.

If you have specific "wants" after doing this, you will probably find answers to your question in this forum. You can tighten down security so tight that the kids will be bugging you every time they try anything, so this can be a mixed blessing.

One more thing. Install "Spy Sweeper" or some other Adware
killer/preventer program, and a good Anti-virus. I like Panda. Turn on the Firewall of XP. If your Anti-Virus comes with its own Firewall, turning it own may make your XP machine have problems booting up. Experiment and you will decide what is best for you. Make an image backup if you can.

Even after doing all this, I find that some nasty broswer hijacker program or some such thing will get into my PC, and I am forced to format and re-install XP about once every three months. Of course I visit web sites that I probably should not. Lord help you if you get the
"Searchportal" browser hijack on your system.

Paul

 

[shmoes]

if you want to do advanced tweaking try tweak UI (for xp if using 2000 search ms website)

http://download.microsoft.com/downl...a6-b352-839afb2a2679/TweakUiPowertoySetup.exe

Other powertoys

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx

~Shmoes

 

[eyec]

select parental controls and set them to on.

before you let them have at it you should install Zone Alarm, you will be needing it

 

[linney]

292504 - Policy Settings for the Start Menu in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;292504&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

http://www.cert.org/homeusers/HomeComputerSecurity

If you have a NTFS partition try these links to beef up Home to something more configurable that you may be able to use to block access.

http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_securityconsole.htm

http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_home_sectab.htm

307881 - HOW TO: Convert a FAT16 or FAT32 Volume to NTFS in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307881&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

How do I restrict a User's Logon hours?

http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_restrict_users.htm

You can have a look around here for third party offerings.

http://www.worldvillage.com/family/parental.html

PS. I think you are very brave and wish you luck.

 

[Volk359]

Don't forget a password on the Administrator account!

 

[Frank4d]

Ditto what Papa4 posted and linney's suggestion to make the hard drive NTFS. Also, do not disable System Restore.

I have three Windows XP machines at home... and my four kids (ages 6,9,13,15) and PC illiterate wife cannot do anything to them that I cannot fix. No reformating either.

 

[NoobX]

Go to IE properties then click content. Do as you desire for the kids account and set the password and it will not allow access to certain sites. It works very well!