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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
@erika:
I think you can do it from your own MSN profile, but there's no easy way to deny one given account access to your network but leave the others intact.
@d3v45t4t0r:
Yes, you can block that. Go here to find out how:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/302089
It doesn't "block" it, but it stops anyone not in the know from turning it on in the first place.
Posted by: John at February 11, 2010 8:35 PMForgot to mention: There are so many online versions around that the best way to block MSN is to simply pull out the net entirely.
If your kids need the net for school, have an internet-linked computer in the living room or somewhere other than their rooms.
Posted by: John at February 11, 2010 8:37 PMOr 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 :)
Posted by: sr at February 12, 2010 3:51 AMPardon for broken link the correct one is Process Blocker
Posted by: sr at February 12, 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.
Posted by: John at March 8, 2010 3:53 AM