How to Limit Access to Internet Explorer

Windows offers ways to limit access, or block, content on the internet. The Windows XP "Content Advisor" is much more basic than Vista's Parental Controls, which shows how far Windows has come even between two back-to-back operating systems. There's more customization and options in the Windows Vista controls, but both can get the job done, which is to ensure children are not accessing adult content on the internet.

Instructions

Windows Vista

1. Click on the "Start" button at the bottom of the screen and select "Control Panel."

2. Open "User Accounts and Family Safety," then select "Parental Controls."

3. Choose the user account you wish to set the controls for. You cannot set controls for a Guest account.

4. Select the box to turn on Parental Controls: "On, enforce current settings." This will activate any changes you make to the Parental Control settings.

5. Click on "Windows Vista Web Filter."

6. Block content as you wish. You can add specific websites you want to block to a list, and you can choose a level of restriction. You can also block downloads.

Windows XP

1. Open your web browser and click on "Tools" on the menu bar at the top. Select "Internet Options" from the drop-down menu.

2. Click on the "Content" tab at the top of this window. In the section "Content Advisor," click "Enable."

3. Select a category from the list under "RSACi." You can adjust the slider to certain levels of each category so each one is filtered appropriately. Under the "Approved Sites" tab you can manually enter websites that you want blocked or allowed. In the "General" tab you can choose to password-protect blocked sites.

Tips & Warnings

• Supplemental software can be purchased to further customize web filtering on your computer.

References

• Windows Help Central.com: Parental Controls in Windows XP
• Windows: Set Up Parental Controls

Resources

• Microsoft