Not long ago, after the children were using our mini computer for educational games online (truly, we always set up the computers for the children, go to the websites for them, they use them only in common areas, and are instructed to never click on outside links)... I opened the computer to find it was being attacked by a nasty virus. It was opening page after page after page of identical VERY INAPPROPRIATE sites, and littering the screen with multiple popups (virus warnings that were actually the virus itself.) I will never know what they clicked on, but it was a mess. Hallie (the last one on that computer) claims she didn't see anything inappropriate, but I'll always wonder about that, too.
The virus was clever... it blocked my every attempt at removing it our getting into setup files to sidestep it. Finally I was able to enter setup in safe mode, restore the computer to a previous date, and things seemed to be working fine (until recently, when the virus, this time without the icky sites, came back and crashed the computer, likely for good this time.) But that incident was enough to get me researching child-safe internet blockers and dedicating one (heavily armored) computer only for the children's use. Ultimately I ended up using the child safety software available in Windows. I created a profile for just the children (and beefed up the password on my own profile) and blocked EVERYTHING. Then I went into the settings and allowed just a few programs (the boys' math programs) and websites (Webkinz, Time4Learning - while we were doing the review, and Read, Write and Type.) It worked well, honestly, and kept the children from accessing ANYTHING I didn't approve. But there was another element I still didn't have...
Recently a package came with another review product... PGKey. This is child computer safety at it's finest, and I'm so thrilled to be able to try out and recommend this product! PGKey is sold for $49.99 plus shipping... and that's it! No ongoing subscription charges or annual fee like so many protection programs. Rather than a "program" to be loaded onto the computer, PGKey is a self-contained thumb drive (with a convenient key-ring attachment). Basically, if PGKey is plugged in, they can use the computer. If it's not... it's blocked. Now our children aren't an age where they are ever left home alone, and our house isn't large enough that they would ever be on the computer without our knowing it, but I can clearly see the benefits of this for older children, and especially teens who may to push the limits of their computer time. Without the key, you can't get in! Simple as that!
Of course, my first concern about this was the obvious... What if I lose the key? Thankfully, there are 2 solutions for this problem. First, when you plug in PGKey the first time, it asks you to set up a password, so the adults can still use the computer without it. And second, PGKey offers a replacement key for just $10... for when we DO lose ours (it's bound to happen around here, I'm afraid.)
But here are the details. (From their website:)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
That last one is my very favorite part. Yes, the blocking is great and the time allowances will come in handy as the children get older, but the thing that would have answered all the remaining questions for me about the virus and where it came from and what they saw... is the video recording! PGKey records up to 60 hours of ALL computer activity. Want to know exactly what your child was doing with their computer time? PGKey records ALL of it! A few days ago, Hallie wanted to try out a new site from the Disney Fairies. Although it seemed harmless, this is a site I wasn't all that familar with, so it was nice to be able to to through her activity after she was done and make sure it was something I'd be OK with her doing again. By reviewing the video (you can drag or fast forward, rather than watch in "realtime") I was able to see there was a "chat" option in the game that I didn't know about. I don't need my 7 year old doing any kind of social networking just yet, so I was able to talk to her about always clicking "no" when others request to chat. And I have peace of mind knowing I can check up on that at any time with the video function of PGKey.
This product was created in conjunction with FBI and law enforcement, teachers, doctors and parents, all striving to find the best way to protect kids online. Their research concluded that parental involvement is still essential... but PGKey makes that easier with all of its features.
I haven't tried out all the features yet... and I imagine there will be a bit of a learning curve to figure out how they all work, but I like knowing if we run into a problem, they offer support, and there is likely already a protection built in that we can activate for each new hurdle. (For instance... there's a "keyword alert" that e-mails you every time your children type in or search for any key words or phrases!) (You do need one PGKey for each computer in the home.)
Seriously, there are more features here than I could possibly describe (I keep just wanting to cut and paste sections from their site, but instead, I guess I'll direct you over there to see for yourself!)
Disclaimer: I was provided a free copy of this product in exchange for my honest review. I have not been compensated in any other way.
http://clomidph.com/ to buy clomid pregnant buy clomid online buy clomid online http://genericcialisshop.com/ generic cialis india cheapest generic cialis pill cialis generic http://propeciabestprice.com/ propecia cost kmart propecia buy propecia online without medical
Posted by: Cialis Online | 12/27/2011 at 01:04 AM