Blocking Msn Messenger

[Sekosha]

How can I block this program ,

My 14 yr old daughter has become obssesed with it , I delete it but she just downloads it again .

I am on win 98 , and cannot supervise her 24 hrs a day, I have found she has been chatting to men much older than her ....this must stop,

Please I need help.....

[KT84]

im not sure how you can block er from downloading it but be aware that theres sites like webmessenger.msn.com and others where even if it isnt downloaded on the computer she will be able to use it through the web browser....so ou may want to also block all thoes sites throught ur firewall.

[Buenchico]

There's a guy here who offers a small program to block MSN. I've no reason not to trust this site but please ensure that you run a virus scan on the downloaded file before running it:
http://www.sfu.ca/~vwchu/blockmsn.html
(Ignore the first bit. Start reading from 'Easier Way').

Chris

[baileys]

what you need is (how to bury it deep) i'll get back on this one Sekosha.its a pain..keep watching this page because i'm sure someone else will beat me to it lol

[baileys]

dont download anything,you can do it yourself from your own computer

[Sekosha]

Thanks folks for your help so far ,

Baileys , I am interested in your comment about " it can be done from your computer " please give me an hint on how to do this ..

once again thanks for our replies..

[shaun_04]

well seeing as you only add people to msn messenger that you know, your daughter must have got these men's email addresses another way, so msn messenger isn't the problem. Either she is seeing these men face to face or is contacting them through a chat room.

[Bob A Job]

If you block her from using MSN, your treating the 'Symptom' not the problem. She will only find another chat room or program.

Sit down with her and talk to her, listen to why she talks online and why she wants the attention. Children are not just pets that need to be told off, and stopped from doing things. They are human beings and need attention and guidance, so they can make up there own minds.
If you convince her that there are better ways to socialise, and that the men she talks to are most probably peadophiles only interested in raping her, she will not 'want' to use MSN anymore, and you will not need to do anything drastic on your computer.

[jordi2k]

If you are comfortable editing your computers registry you can disable MSN Messenger (or just some features of it).

If you browse to the following Key (replace LOCAL_MACHINE with CURRENT_USER for just an individual)
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Messenger\Client]

Once there right click on the right hand pane and create a new REG_DWORD Value

Call it "PreventRun" without quotation marks and using capital letters where used in the example. Once created click to edit the value, change this to 1 to enable the restriction.

It may be a good idea to also make a key called "PreventAutoRun" and do the same...

[stevie21]

Install a firewall, ensure that you need to enter a password to make any changes to the settings (Sygate's allows this) and instruct the firewall to prevent Messenger accessing t'internet.

Might be an idea to also do something similar with other chat programs like Trillian.

Simple as that.

[jules1968]

sekosha, i have a son who uses MSN regularly but i totally agree with Bob A Job.You need to address the issue with her.Sit down and explain the danger of her actions to her.. There are many situations she could get into with her naivety, not just by using msn.There is a whole world away from computers too where she could find herself in trouble if she doesn't realise the danger of befriending these older men. Lets face it, why would men of a certain age want to be chatting to such a young girl unless there is an ulterior motive.. It is so difficult these days, i know. If she refuses to comply with your rules, i would issue her with a ban from using the computer altogether.i know its nice to give them some privacy at that age but this could be potentially serious so you must be tough . Is the computer in her bedroom? If so, move it till she stops . Good luck with it! I know its never easy trying to get a 14 year old to listen, but you must try

[blondmam]

hubby said go into control panel then internet options then content - click- aproved sites. type in box msn, click never

[baileys]

1)choose start >control panel >add or remove programs. then click add/removewindows components.

2)deselect the windows windows messenger check box,and then click next.

3)when the wizard is done,click finished.

end of story

[baileys]

its a harsh move but it stems the problem,i've old values.

[Ralph]

From a child raising standpoint, I don't really have an opinion 'cos I don't have kids! Bob A Job's advice seems sound and reasonable to me.

From a technical standpoint, I like jordi2k's solution. However, I have another that you may be able to use for any other web site. Windows has a file called a HOSTS file. It tells web applications where to look for some addresses. More info here.

If you go to C:\Windows\hosts and open up your hosts file in notepad and then, under the last entry, put in "127.0.0.1 messenger.hotmail.com" and "127.0.0.1 gateway.messenger.hotmail.com" and "127.0.0.1 msgr.hotmail.com", all without the quotes, this will redirect any attempt to access the Messenger servers to your own computer. Since that's not where it needs to be looking, it won't be able to log on.

You can also use this method to block advertising sites (links on the page linked to above). Simply redirect any address you don't want available to 127.0.0.1

[mycatis]

Cant you just put a password on your computer so that she cannot even sign onto the internet without you putting in the password, so anytime she wants to be on it you are there? I have a password on mine and there is NO WAY my son would be on the internet without my supervision!

[spaced]

best think to do is to untick the MSN Messenger box in Windows XP's firewall programm. If the box is unticked, the firewall will stop the program from loading.

[simsfreq]

In my opinion you need to talk to her about the problem, just deleting the program is more likely to make her feel you "don't understand" and as you say she'll download it again.

How much older are these men? Obviously you are worried because of the risk, but most teenagers just use MSN as a modern day version of pen pals. She probably mainly uses it to speak to friends from school.

I understand you are worried but as long as she follows a few very basic safety rules she should be fine. The main rule is never ever meet anyone from the internet, but other safety rules should be that she never tells anyone where she goes to school, where she lives or any plans for the weekend. Explain to her that you are worried, what might happen and that it is because you love her. Really this can be sorted without a big battle.

Good luck!