I used Kaspersky Internet Security Suite this year and my girlfriend asked me to set it up so that the youngest daughter could only get online for 3 hours a day and not after 22:00.

I set up Kaspersky correctly, but it only seems to block http access. Even though I set it to watch all ports, the child protection software stops web browsing correctly, but she has been caught using ICQ etc. at midnight.

This seems to be a "known" problem with Kaspersky.

The renewal is up in a week or so, so the question is, is there an alternative ISS that is a good AV and really blocks Internet for specific users out of hours?

Are you using Vista by any chance?

Unfortunately not (and the link isn't working). It is an older machine, which is using XP.

I was looking at blocking login times, which XP can do, but it is only internet usage which needs capping.

Again, potentially not very helpful, but does the router do anything?
My router will allow you to block the internet at certain times, though I don't recall if it was by IP or MAC address...

The router will block all internet access, not just her connection.

That means the rest of the family can't browse after 10 at night. Also won't limit a single WLAN connection to 3 hours...

Have a look at K9 web protection. I had a go with it some time ago and it was very good for a freebie. I think it can limit by time.

http://www1.k9webprotection.com/

Thanks James, but it seems to have the same problem as Kaspersky... It blocks time on Web sites, but it doesn't mention chat clients etc.

net nanny works well

Which version of Kaspersky are you using? I'm just wondering if 2010 might improve matters (free upgrade if you're still in licence)?

What router is it?

I am using dd-wrt and it can restrict access by time using IPs. If your router is compatible, it may be a good option.

You can also set different times for different days of the week, which could be useful if she is allowed an extra hour or two at the weekends for example.

Can't you just take her computer out of her room?


EDIT I know that's in no way helpful to the "problem" but if she's not allowed /can't surf the .net, she can still play & fiddle on the computer otherwise (I'm guessing) - so if it's a "go to bed" kind of instruction, then well...

I'll shut up now.

In the interim, I've just set the user account to disable at "bad" times. I've set it to midnight to 08:00 at the moment, but I'll discuss it with my girlfriend.

It is certainly the cheapest way of doing it

Have you not looked at your router? Most routers have some sort of QoS, so it's not unlikely that you can restrict access to the IP. If you can't by default, then you could always flash it with something else.

It doesn't allow banning at specific times on an individual MAC address basis. I can block all access to a service, but not to specific machines at specific times.