blocking internet use

JasX

Strider590 wrote: »

The kids unless they're PC guru's and know MS DOS, won't have a clue how to solve this.

...or until they right click on the network icon and hit "repair this connection" which will automatically renew their ip. A very weak suggestion.

....and i'm not sure where you got the impression other posters in this thread were suggesting spending money and for some reason feel the need to have a go at them? last time I checked removing/locking hardware in cupboards, disabling network adapters or configuring router/firewall rules didn't actually cost any money either...

KillerWatt

sammyw wrote: »

Hi,
I need to know if it's possible (and how to do it) to stop kids from going online while I'm not there.
Can I block it/password protect the connection? At the moment, it connects when pc turns on. I don't want to make it so awkward that I can't connect it easily when I want to use it.
It seems like such a simple thing to do, but I can't work out how to do it.
Can anyone help?

Have you looked in your router's configuration menu to see if it gives you the ability to set access times?

Alternatively, the suggestion offered by luckymoneysaver will do what you want.

aliEnRIK

Strider590 wrote: »

All these suggestions of spending money.... On a site thats mean't for money saving!!

Very very simple solution.... Open any folder, go to "tools", folder options, view and deselect "hide file extensions", hit OK/apply

Now open a folder and create two new text files.

Open the first text file and type "IPCONFIG /release"
Save the file and rename it as DC.bat

Open the second text file and type "IPCONFIG /renew"
Save the file and rename it as RC.bat

Now drop the first file into your start menu folder called "Startup", hide the second file somewhere you can find it.

When your computer starts the first file will run and disable the network adaptor (and therefore internet).

The second file will reconnect you.

The kids unless they're PC guru's and know MS DOS, won't have a clue how to solve this.

Sorted and all for free, without paying a penny for expensive and invasive software that does exactly the same thing.

Thats cool (if it works )

Strider590

JasX wrote: »

...or until they right click on the network icon and hit "repair this connection" which will automatically renew their ip. A very weak suggestion.

Yeah, that might work (depends on the network adaptor), however the more likely outcome is "MOM, MOM, MOM, MOM, MOM, HELP THE COMPUTER IS BROKEN!!! MOM, MOM, MOM!!!!"

Most peoples minds just go totally blank when confronted with a problem like that, they'd be more likely to call tech support than try to do anything for themselves.

I once used very simple VBS message boxes to convince an "IT competent" colleague into thinking he'd accidentally hacked the FBI's server, he fell for it hook line and sinker, then called the fake FBI phone number (Stay brite windows) to avoid "prosecution".
The message could have been a virus, it could have been a scam, it could have been obsolutely anything, but he blindly believed everything the computer told him despite the fact that it's 100% impossible for anyone to do what I did without admin access (by network or direct) to his PC.

A lot of people who think they're good at IT, only actually know very little. They can easily fool themselves and other less competent people into thinking they're IT god's by spewing out randon technical words.

Randomizer

Most router have a configuration setting where you can set the time when internet access is permitted. Check your router and you might be able to restrict internet access from there.

JasX

Strider590 wrote: »

Yeah, that might work ....

yup, I tend to err on the safe side of never underestimating 'kids' ingineuity when locking down a PC....

....mind you these days I worry slightly that the extent of most kid's IT skills seems to be how to operate MSN messenger and Facebook rather than those of us who grew up with DOS, have been pulling Windows apart since version 3.1 and have a fair few tricks up our sleave