Remote control of network settings in WinXP Home

[Mike Lawson]

I have a Windows XP Home Edition machine on my network that my daughter uses
and I want to to be able to remotely control her ability to access the
network; either the other network resources or the access to the internet. I
was thinking that the best way may be to remotely change the net mask and
gateway address to something that would not be recognizable to the rest of
the system. Anyone have any better ideas or know how to accomplish my
original thinking? I do need to have it done remotely as opposed to a local
change. Thanks for any help, Mike

 

[Lem]

I have a Windows XP Home Edition machine on my network that my daughter uses
and I want to to be able to remotely control her ability to access the
network; either the other network resources or the access to the internet. I
was thinking that the best way may be to remotely change the net mask and
gateway address to something that would not be recognizable to the rest of
the system. Anyone have any better ideas or know how to accomplish my
original thinking? I do need to have it done remotely as opposed to a local
change. Thanks for any help, Mike

Without getting into the philosophy of parenting techniques, you have
two separate technical issues.

Blocking or controlling Internet access is most easily accomplished
"remotely" from a computer on a home network by configuring the router
appropriately. On Linksys routers, for example, you can permit or deny
complete Internet access on a per computer basis based on time of day
and day of week. You can also block particular services (e.g., ftp,
pop3) or URLs, or block websites by keywords. You can also block
inbound traffic. Read your router's User Guide for information
particular to your own equipment.

Restricting access to resources on your own network is a different
story. That probably is best accomplished by configuring the
firewall(s) protecting the resources you want blocked or by changing the
permissions of those resources.

--
Lem -- MS-MVP - Networking

To the moon and back with 2K words of RAM and 36K words of ROM.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer
http://history.nasa.gov/afj/compessay.htm

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

I have a Windows XP Home Edition machine on my network that my daughter
uses and I want to to be able to remotely control her ability to access the
network; either the other network resources or the access to the internet.
I was thinking that the best way may be to remotely change the net mask and
gateway address to something that would not be recognizable to the rest of
the system. Anyone have any better ideas or know how to accomplish my
original thinking? I do need to have it done remotely as opposed to a local
change. Thanks for any help, Mike

I can add nothing to Lem's reply other than asking a question
about the parenting angle. What you're trying to do is equivalent
to locking/unlocking the doors of your house by remote control
so that she can only go out when you approve. Would this be
the way to raise a child to become a responsible adult? Would
not a control freak resort to such methods?

 

[Mike Lawson]

Respectfully, our situation in our house is what we have to deal with. We
have looked at several alternatives and my wife and I agree that this would
be the best method. There are situations that dictate this approach, and
while not perfect, is only of our concern. To that end, I am trying to find
out what capabilities lie within the remote network configuration of XP Home
to help us facilitate this. I would greatly appreciate any help in
understanding what can be done remotely within XP Home. Thanks, Mike

 

[R. McCarty]

Newer/Recent Routers have built-in Parental controls. You can setup
a Client PC to have allow specific times ( and usage ) for net access.
The only problem is all routers have a recessed "Factory Reset" button
that can be used to override any user-configured settings. If you do
opt for a Parental control Router - lock it up in a closet or cabinet so
it can't be physically accessed.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Respectfully, our situation in our house is what we have to deal with. We
have looked at several alternatives and my wife and I agree that this
would be the best method. There are situations that dictate this approach,
and while not perfect, is only of our concern. To that end, I am trying to
find out what capabilities lie within the remote network configuration of
XP Home to help us facilitate this. I would greatly appreciate any help in
understanding what can be done remotely within XP Home. Thanks, Mike

From a technical point of view, Lem gave you an excellent method.