8.5. Parental Controls

The Parental Controls tool allows you to monitor what children can see and even place a time-limit restriction to their Internet access. It is a web content filtering tool which blocks websites which may have offensive or shocking content. You can find the tool in the Security section of the Mandriva Linux Control Center.

Figure 8.11. Parental Controls Main Window

Parental Controls Main Window

Website filtering is carried out before the site is opened: if it is evaluated as inappropriate, it will not be opened and a suitable message appears. Choose your settings in the tool and click Ok once your satisfied with your settings.

[Note] Note

If you are requested to install some extra software packages, please accept by clicking Ok.

8.5.1. Defining Main Options

[Tip] Tip

If children are to use your machine, we advise that you create a user account for them before setting control options.

Check the Enable parental control box in the Configuration tab to access parental control settings.

Then select the level of control in the Control level drop-down list:

  • High is generally advised for young children,

  • Normal is for children,

  • Low is for young adults.

By default, all users created on the system are subject to parental control. However, in the User Access section, you can choose those who won't be under control.

The All users list displays the different user accounts created on the machine. Select users in the All users list and click on the Add button to put them in the Allowed users list. Those users will then be able to access the Internet without restrictions.

8.5.2. Scheduling a Timeframe

In addition to website filtering, you can define timeframes during which users under parental control can access the Internet. Check the Allow connections only between these times box and select the time frame during which access is allowed.

8.5.3. Using the Blacklist

You can decide to ban certain websites. This can be particularly useful in a professional environment and especially for network administrators who wish to restrict Internet access.

Simply enter the addresses of these websites in the Blacklist tab. Fill in the first field with the URL of the website in question and click on the Add button. Accept the list by clicking Ok.

Select a URL in the list and click Remove from blacklist to remove it from the blacklist.

8.5.4. Using the Whitelist

As opposed to blacklisting, you can decide to authorize access to certain websites banned by the parental control filtering.

Simply enter the addresses of these websites in the Whitelist tab. Fill in the first field with the URL of the website in question and click on the Add button. Accept the list by clicking Ok.

Select a URL in the list and click on Remove from whitelist to remove it from the whitelist.