My oldest kid is at the age now where she can navigate the web by herself. I need to ensure that porn and graphic content is blocked. I also want to block all chat programs.

The built in mac stuff is good in that it only allows certain programs to be launched. The web content filter seems pretty weak though. I want something that operates similar to Websense in that it uses a definition file that is routinely updated. Is there anything for mac that does this?

I also have a Linksys WRT54GL. If anyone knows of custom firmware for this router that can do content filtering that would be cool.

 

I have the same router running DD-WRT firmware and it's really good, but it doesn't do a lot of content filtering by itself. For that, your best route is to go with OpenDNS since they now offer adult site and anti-phishing filters. Then you can just configure the DD-WRT firmware to use OpenDNS as the DNS server.

http://www.opendns.com/
http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Main_Page

 

What he said, except you don't need custom firmware to change DNS settings.

 

Thanks guys! This looks like a good solution.

 

A man after my own heart. I too have the linux router and firmware and it is very handy indeed. You ever think of upgrading to an N router? I might get one with a USB on the back and plug in a TB drive for backups.

 

Wireless N would certainly be nice, but neither of our laptops have N integrated right now, so I'd have to get a couple nics. I'll probably just wait until we get newer laptops. Also, the DD-WRT firmware has been so stable that I'm reluctant to get anything else.

 

I just bricked a WRT54-GS V7.2 I don't know what happened, but I've put DD-WRT on two other routers before. Be careful when you put DD-WRT on your router

 

I installed Netnanny at a dentist office's waiting room Mac and they are happy with it. Its cheap.