Win XP user account restriction?

[DaemosDaen]

My mom's got Win XP home on her system and would like to restrict Internet access on my little brother's account. (someone got busted)

Now I found a way to do this using Win XP pro, but is there a way to do this with home?

If not, is there a way to upgrade an install to Win XP pro from XP home wothout re-installing the whole OS?

[Plamdi]

Have you tried using a filter like http://www.radiance.m6.net/?

I just installed it today (my brother has been downloading porn since he was 12, he's 14 now... I kind of forgot about lately, so I installed another filter). My personal recommendations after isntalling the program:

1. Use the "No Tray Icon plugin", and then move the file naointerface.exe to your desktop (you'll find it in %WINDIR%\SYSTEM32). This is the file you need to run to make changes or uninstall the program.

2. Move the files Readme.htm and the GIF image to the desktop.

3. Add the three files you put on the desktop to a password-protected archive (eg Naomi.7z). Then delete the three files and empty the recycle bin. You can now hide the archive where-ever you like.

4. Change this key:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]

Shell="Explorer.exe \"%PROGRAMFILES%\\rnamfler\\NAOMF.EXE\""

Alternativly you can use HKEY_CURRENT_USER if you're just doing this to his account. This will prevent the auto-run being removed from the registry RUN.

[DaemosDaen]

The reason I don't want to use this type of program, is that they are too easy to get around, and we do not want to simply filter sites, we want to remove the internet completly (he's supposed to be doing his homework, but he keeps playing on the internet, that why we want to just remove the internet access completly from his account).

Thanks for any info.

(Edit, I hate small keyboards )

Edited November 6, 2006 by DaemosDaen

[Plamdi]

The reason I don't want to use this type of program, is that they are too easy to get around, and we do not want to simply filter sites, we want to remove the internet completly (he's supposed to be doing his homework, but he keeps playing on the internet, that why we want to just remove the internet access completly from his account).

Thanks for any info.

(Edit, I hate small keyboards )

Nevertheless it's a good start, and a good back-up for if he connects to the net anyway. When saying "it's easy to get around" - yes it is, if you're a 23-year old computer nerd like me, but for kids, no it isn't. The process cannot be ended from task manager, and removing the registry key results in it being recreated. The program also prevents the usage of other 3rd party process managers. The best way to prevent a child accessing the internet is to change your internet password, do not let the child know it - put a password onto your computer account and then save the internet password only for your account, and not for everyone.

[cluberti]

I think the only sure-fire way to secure internet access in this manner is to have a proxy installed on your network, whether that be a home router device from Linksys/Netgear/DLink/whatever, or a linux box running proxy or firewall software. Remove the controls for internet access from the Windows machine on to something that only you control and have access to, and you'll find it's not so easy for most people (children or otherwise) to bypass off-box restrictions.

[DaemosDaen]

Tied the program, it is on the comptuer to prevent him from going to the wrong sites. As for the Internet password....that does not work for a DSL connectionthat is always on. (Unless there is a way to password protect the internet connection in general.)

Well, I'm gonna keep looking, does anyone happen to know if you can update a system from Win XP Home to Win XP Pro?