Protect your family and your privacy while you surf the internet. Our online safety tutorials show you how

Online safety is something every internet user needs to consider in our modern, always connected, world. Parents need to consider how to monitor their children's access to inappropriate content and how to supervise online friendships. Adults need to be aware of scams and internet fraud. On this page, we will show you the techniques you can use to make your internet usage safer for you and your family. Of course, don't forget your basic online (and offline) security drills for dealing with viruses, spyware, configuring your firewall and keeping your PC and web browser up-to-date.

Configuring User Accounts

If you have a shared computer you should configure a separate user account for each person using it. Even if you are the only person using your computer, you might want to configure a limited account for when you use the internet, as this makes it much harder for malware to install itself on your machine.

Configuring user accounts in Windows XP
Configuring user accounts in Windows Vista or Windows 7

Windows Parental Controls

Windows Vista and Windows 7 Home, Home Premium, Professional and Ultimate editions include parental controls as part of the operating system. If you want to use these feature to help manage your children's use of your home computers, check out the tutorials below.

Configuring and using the Vista Parental Controls
Configuring and using the Windows 7 Parental Controls

OpenDNS - Speed up your web browsing and filter adult content

OpenDNS is a free service that can be used to filter adult or inappropriate content on the web. The tutorials below will show you how to use this excellent service.

Introduction to OpenDNS
OpenDNS Tutorial 1 - Setting up OpenDNS (Windows XP)
OpenDNS Tutorial 1 - Setting up OpenDNS (Windows Vista)
OpenDNS Tutorial 1 - Setting up OpenDNS (Windows 7)
OpenDNS Tutorial 2 - Configuring the OpenDNS Updater tool
OpenDNS Tutorial 3 - OpenDNS Dashboard and Adult Site Filtering

Windows Live Family Safety

Microsoft's free Windows Live Family Safety program can help you keep your family safe on the web and when using Windows Live Messenger (formally MSN Messenger). We discuss Live Family Safety in our instant messaging tutorials section. Click here to see Live Family Safety in action and to learn how to set it up for your PC.

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