Internet Safety/Accountability Software

[Steven]

I've received a request from one of our pastors to install "safety and accountability" software on a particular computer that is shared by volunteers. He would like the software to email him whenever the computer accesses certain types of inappropriate websites.

Eventually, we're going to do better research and spend some money to get a program that can be installed server-side and has more management capabilities, but in the mean time we have a problem with that particular computer that needs to be addressed quickly.

Now, I know there are hundreds of such programs (Net Nanny, Safe Eyes, etc). Have you personally tried any of these? Can you give me a recommendation?

Thanks in advance!

[tedanderson]

Is the desired result to catch the culprit or is it to deter the improper usage?

This isn't exactly an answer to your question but if your PC has an S-Video output, you could probably connect a recorder to it on the other side of the wall or in another part of the building where it is secure. Then you could put a sign on the wall stating that all operations on this computer are being recorded and monitored. Or you could even put the sign up for right now without any type of software or system in place.

Another idea would be to install a large flat panel screen above the area where the computer is located so that everyone can see what's going on.

But one thing that I don't like about software based accountability is that there are more inappropriate sites on the Web than there are lists of blacklisted URL's. Meaning that for every site that Net-Nanny knows about, there are 10 more that can go undetected because they have a benign name or they might have themselves tagged in such a way where the use of the 7 dirty words are irrelevant.

I used to have issues with spam and illicit pop-ups until I installed 2 security cameras around the computer. One pointing at the screen and the other pointing away from the screen towards the user.

[jpallman]

http://www.x3watch.com/

We use this, it basically just logs what sited the computer goes to - no filtering.

[cmchamp]

I have recently become the network admin at my small K-12 school. We use a ComSifter as our content, URL and access filter. Works very well.
IMHO, it would be better to deter by restriction.

[Steven]

Our goal is not to "catch" anyone, actually - we already know who it is, and they've acknowledged it. Our goal now is to help them correct their actions. One step is to install software that will hold them accountable (this was actually the "guilty" party's idea!).

We're probably going to go with X3 for the one computer for now, and look into Comsifter for a campus-wide solution.

Thanks guys!

[[Admin] osborn4]

Check CovenantEyes. I think it's exactly what you are looking for. It concentrates more on the accountability than blocking.

For campus wide, I'd look at the iBoss

[dovprst]

I like using OpenDNS. No need to install anything. I just set it up on the router and the entire network is protected. There's no need for accountability software that way. No need for your workers to feel like they are in communist Russia with the KGB watching over them.

[tedanderson]

No need for your workers to feel like they are in communist Russia with the KGB watching over them.

What's wrong with that? I figure that if you aren't doing anything wrong, you have nothing to hide.And if the usage of the computer is too personal or private for anyone else to see, then the church computer is too "public" for your purposes.

[dovprst]

Originally Posted by tedanderson

What's wrong with that? I figure that if you aren't doing anything wrong, you have nothing to hide.And if the usage of the computer is too personal or private for anyone else to see, then the church computer is too "public" for your purposes.

If I can't trust my staff then why hire them?

[[Admin] osborn4]

Originally Posted by dovprst

I like using OpenDNS. No need to install anything. I just set it up on the router and the entire network is protected. There's no need for accountability software that way. No need for your workers to feel like they are in communist Russia with the KGB watching over them.

But there is a need for both. Filtering can only do so much, as I and my teenage boys have found out.

[dovprst]

Originally Posted by osborn4

But there is a need for both. Filtering can only do so much, as I and my teenage boys have found out.

In your home I can understand you doing this, and I agree there can be a need for both.

[tedanderson]

If I can't trust my staff then why hire them?

Even though you have to give someone a chance to determine whether they are truly trustworthy, there are some areas where I'd rather not test someone and see them fail. You should start out believing that you can trust who you hire until they prove otherwise but in some areas, you just can't afford to find out after the fact.