Op-Ed: The limits of filtering

Many people ask "I got device xyz" or "I want to get myself/my kids/the family device xyz, what can I get that will ensure no one can access anything inappropriate?"

My answer is always the same. There is a cross-platform solution that is fool-proof. It's called a hammer. Smash your device to tiny pieces and you can't get anything bad. ANYTHING other than that and there are no guarantees.

Filters are tools that are a good help for someone who WANTS to succeed. Ultimately, the restraint and filter has to come from the user. They will not work for someone who doesn't want them to. There is always a way around, they are always a step ahead.

NEVER EVER think that a device is safe because we "locked it down" - no matter what you did.

The challenge is simply to make it difficult enough to access דברים האסורים that one will not be tempted in a moment of weakness and that it won't be something you feel and think they have easy access to.  Essentially, make it hard enough to get that it's out of sight and, hence, out of mind.

This being the case, if the filter has a simple 2-minute workaround it doesn't qualify as properly protected, but a lengthy process to bypass a filter will not enter someone's mind as a reasonable course of action.

(Thanks A.F. and D.P.)

Internet Protection for Children

For children and teens, you never know what they might be willing to do to access unfiltered internet.
In general, you can rely on reasonable protection (a very strong filter) until you become suspicious.

• Periodically check to make sure that the filtering solution is still installed, and the passwords (if any) are still the same.
• Don't give your child an internet enabled mobile device which he can take anywhere, even if it is filtered.  
• Internet enabled devices should only be allowed with supervision. 
• Children should only be given a limited windows account, not a admin account. 
• Lock your Bios
• Use a program like eBlaster so that you could see what your child is up to. Your kids won't think of trying to defeat it because they don't know it's there! If you find out that your child attempted to view inappropriate material - even if your filter ended up blocking it - it's time to become extra vigilant. Aside from chinuch which is beyond the scope of this blog, pay careful attention to what you what your child has on his USB sticks, DVD's etc, as well as new programs installed on your computer.
• Consider blocking the internet entirely for your children, and allowing filtered only for you. (The Venishmartem Cloud Filter has this option).
• Consider setting up a whitelist, so that only the sites you need are allowed, and everything is else remains blocked.
• Consider getting a filter like VCF that cannot be bypassed with a password. This eliminates the possibility that your child will somehow find out your password, and disable the filter when he seems fit.
• Lock you Wi-Fi with a secret password. If you have open Wi-Fi networks from your neighbors, you can ask them to lock it as well. They will usually be happy to do so if you tell them how.
• Consider having a desktop for home use instead of a laptop. If the desktop is in a central location, there is less of a chance of it being used inappropriately. 

Short of using the hammer approach, or setting up a surveillance camera facing the computer screen (believe or not, I know someone who did this!) this is the best you can do.