NetProtector^®

Bill Brids

A few weeks back I wrote about the drawbacks of parental Internet control software. I was astonished to open my email and find responses thanking me for the tips. I am amazed that readers actually let their eyeballs stray past the first paragraph of anything I compose.
 

The most useful email in my opinion came from a reader who tipped me off to a security device that I had not come across before. Rather than being a piece of software, the internet blocker he described is a patented hardware locking device which disables all internet access with a turn of a metal key. Being ever skeptical I wanted to see this "magic lock" in action. I came into possession of the device and decided to unleash the fury of my teen children upon the modem locker.
 

I would describe my children as the average teen computer users, not programmers, but hardly novices at beating most parents and teachers at the "who knows more about the Internet game.
 

The ground rules for the game; my teenage terrors "were not allowed to damage the locking device in any manner. No hammers or shovels were allowed. Attempts at picking the lock on the device were within the rules of my sinister game.
 

After approximately a week or two of rigorous teen testing, I can bring the look of terror to my offspring's eyes simply by wiggling the keys that lock the modem. My children were unable to pick the commercial grade lock. I must admit I love that little computer lockbox more than I love Dunkin Donuts coffee or Shania Twain videos. I can get my demon offspring to make their beds, or mow a lawn simply by threatening to "get the key".
 

For parental testing of ModemLock I wanted to approach the magic box as an average user and not the computer geek I have become. How easy would it be to use? Do I have to pay to update it?

I found the ModemLock device extremely user friendly (a term computer weirdoes throw around meaning "anyone can run it") To disable the Internet access, the parents can insert the metal key into NetProtector, the official name of the device, and switch it to the lock position. It's as simple as that. If the computer user can unlock their home / car/ or gym locker they can use NetProtector. No updates nothing additional to purchase!
 

Your children may pout that they can't use the computer but this is not so. When NetProtector is in the "lock" position, all Internet access is disabled, but all other computer functions still work, such as Microsoft Word, Calculator, and iTunes. Parents can rest assured there will be no web browsing worries, no distractions from their AIM chat, the child will truly be "doing homework".
 

The device works as an information highway shutoff on both cable and dialup modems sitting between the computers and the connection to the outside world. Those readers who have their cable modem connected to the USB port of their computer will need to switch the connection to an ethernet port to use NetProtector. contacting your local internet provider (BELD, Comcast, Verizon, etc.) should quickly resolve that issue. The maker of the device provides a support phone line and email for questions. A graphic showing the difference between connection types can be found at http://www.modemlock.com/usb.htm
 

The device works on all "flavors" of Windows and Apple OSes which will satisfy the typical home user. Additionally the device works with Linux however I would think not too many Linux users read this family article.
 

As a novice user, I was afraid the device would slow down my Internet connection which was not the case. The device, when unlocked, restores your internet connection to its normal speed.
 

My next thought was "What tools would I need to install this device". I am notorious for not putting tools away or losing them, and I did not feel like driving over to the local hardware store to get some unusually shaped / torqued "screwdriverthingamabob." I was pleasantly surprised to find there were no tools required for the install. It will have taken the user more to set up the PC than to add the new device.
 

Your computer does not even need to be turned on to install the NetProtector. Parents will not have to learn how to run a computer to install software to moderate the kids' computer usage. I would liken the install of the ModemLock to the difficulty of plugging in the colored pegs of your Litebrite.
 

NetProtector is a 100 percent hardware device, so there is never any software to purchase or updates to run as teens learn how to break in to most software. Most of the software that protects kids, Net Nanny, Cyber Patrol etc., has to be installed and configured on the computer. These software products can be disabled or circumvented by children with relative ease. There are even websites that explain how this is done as I have mentioned in past articles.
 

Installing software that will be circumvented anyway, puts many parents who don't know how to run a computer, at a huge disadvantage. I like NetProtector for it's ease of use for the non-technical among us over 30 types OK over 40, in my case. Simple hardware, no fuss, and complete parental computer control at the turn of a little metal key!
 

ModemLock/NetProtector can be purchased online at www.modemlock.com (sadly I don't get a cut) There is a well written FAQ at that website which should answer any questions a parent may about this effective internet blocking hardware.
 

Happy surfing and sorry kids, all is fair in love and internet access blocking.
 

Bill Brids is a full time computer consultant at MIT and runs www.popupfix.com, a computer repair service. A lifelong Braintree resident, his computer compulsion is tolerated by his wife and 2 children. He can be contacted with questions: bill@popupfix.com
 

Republished with the permission of the author.