I second OpenDNS and have been using their regular DNS servers for 1/2 a year now.
208.67.222.222
208.67.220.220
No account needed. If you want to automatically block adult sites, use their FamilyShield DNS servers instead:
208.67.222.123
208.67.220.123
These will automatically and behind-the-scenes block adult sites (and like others have said it won't block Google image results and others, but it's a worthy measure nonetheless).
You can do this at your router (which will affect every computer, phone, tablet in your home network easily!) or you can do this on your PC. Or both (which offers certain small layers of protection against certain viruses and malware).
Instructions for Windows 7
Instructions for many routers
No account needed for this. Also, how tech savvy are you kid(s)? It's a cat-and-mouse game, so this all depends.
---------------------------
If you want to install extra software, I also recommend
Blue Coat K9 Web Protection. It's completely free and decent if you want to see more log files of where your kids have tried to go to, and there's more granular control.
---------------------------
Also, for both parental control purposes as well as protection from many kinds of malware, do you have separate user accounts for everybody that are Standard Users? A lot of malware can do much more damage if the person logged in has Administrator rights.
What I mean by this is:
1) Administrator account -- this account has its own strong password and you rarely need to log into this account directly.
2) Standard User -- for you! With a separate password. This is what
you will log into every day. If you need to install programs or make changes, you'll get that pop-up asking for the password to your Administrator account.
3) Standard User -- for your kid! He/She has his/her own password too, but they don't know any of the other passwords.
4) Standard User -- for any other kids or adults...
You get to this by going to
Control Panel then
User Accounts.
My point in saying all this is even if you install parental control software on your computer, if you kid has Admin rights, he can just take it right off. Or if he has admin access to your router, he can also make changes.
---------------------------
One last thing. I'm terrified of what kids can do nowadays with webcams. Webcams both on PCs as well as their smartphones. I would find a way to disable the webcam if you don't use it, or find a way to monitor its use. Same thing with cams on smartphones.
I'm still looking for ways to control webcams myself. Looking for ideas.
