Helping people with computers... one answer at a time.
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Judging by the number of questions I get on MSN Messenger, they're not alone. Do they lose it if the service stops working? I get a rash of panic-stricken questions each time that happens.
The other question I get a lot is "my school's blocked MSN Messenger, how do I work around that?".
Sigh.
I'm not sure that this problem can be solved with technology alone, but there are some things to do...
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I would:
- Uninstall Windows Messenger - Windows Messenger is a part of Windows, and can be used to chat just like MSN Messenger, with the same group of friends.
- Uninstall MSN Messenger.
- Password protect the account that they and you have been logging in as. Change that password, and the administrator's account password, to something that only you know.
- Create a new user account, not an administrator, that is for their use. They shouldn't be able to install Messenger.
That solves the immediate problem, and depending on how resourceful the kids are, that might be enough.
But kids can get very resourceful. They might install a different IM client, use a different IM service, or use one of the web based alternatives.
You can try blocking access to certain sites by using the "hosts" file to block access to them. Set their IP address to 127.0.0.1 (a special address that means "this machine", and effectively blocks access to whatever domain you've associated with it). Make sure to set permissions on the hosts file so that the account that the kids sign in with can't modify it.
Sadly, techniques like that are really only piecemeal, and prone to error. As soon as you plug one leak, your kids can find another.
Another approach is to look into some of the firewall or parental spyware packages, which may allow you to block specific applications. Again, while a stronger step, there are ways that these can be circumvented as well, if the kids are savvy and determined enough.
As I said, I'm not sure that this problem can be completely solved with technology alone.
Article C2350 - May 12, 2005 « »
Leo A. Notenboom has been playing with computers since he
was required to take a programming class in 1976. An 18 year career as a programmer at Microsoft soon followed.
After "retiring" in 2001, Leo started Ask Leo! in 2003 as a place for answers
to common computer and technical questions. More about Leo.
February 12, 2010 3:51 AM
Or you can use something like [broken link removed] Process Blocker tool (freeware). Put MSN messenger's .exe file to the list and forget about it :)
February 12, 2010 3:53 AM
Pardon for broken link the correct one is Process Blocker
March 8, 2010 3:53 AM
@d3v45t4t0r
Go to the link in my post below and go to this section:
Windows Messenger 4.5 or later versions on a Windows XP Home Edition-based computer or on a Windows XP Professional-based computer
That should stop the old messenger from being turned on unless they are really good with computers.
As Leo mentions, though, digital blocks really aren't an optimal strategy for something like this. Much better to simply remove the internet from their room if you can.
What it might be an idea to do is this: Have a sit-down with your kids and come to an agreement. They can have, say, 30 minutes a day for MSN, facebook, and all that other online garbage. After that, the net gets taken out for the day. If they need it for school, they can show you the assignment.
April 7, 2010 5:02 PM
The chatting became a nightmare with my teen. Most homework require internet access nowdays and she spends a lot of time talking about nothing online. The language they use is depressing to any educated person.
She is required to use the computer in the Living Room, but I have to spend all the time by her side. If I step away she will chat. I hate all that internet access snf text messaging.
Most teenagers have the computer in their rooms and will chatt till late hours.
June 24, 2010 5:09 AM
If you are able to you can look into setting up a proxy server.
Basically this is a computer that runs a bit of software which will only forward requests to allowed sites. You add a list of sites that they need for homework, all the others are blocked. You then allow their computer to only access the internet via that proxy server and only for webpages (port 80).
In some cases you can also set up schedules at which times they could access MSN/IM websites.
Requires a bit more work but allows more fine grained control without having to check what they are doing 24/7.
Anne.