Assignment #6 – Parental Controls (Step 1: Blocking mature content on the browser)

Parental controls are an essential aspect of ensuring a safe and secure online experience for children. With a multitude of tools available today, it can be overwhelming to navigate the world of internet safety. To help you take the first step in protecting your kids from mature or adult content, we will focus on content filtering by utilizing a family safety DNS service, specifically OpenDNS.

DNS over HTTPS (DoH) is a security feature that encrypts your domain name system (DNS) requests, which convert website addresses into IP addresses. By encrypting these requests, DoH helps protect your browsing activity from being intercepted, monitored, or manipulated by third parties, such as hackers or ISPs. In short, DoH enhances your online privacy and security while using the internet.

Securing your Chrome Browser with DoH(DNS over HTTPS) for FREE

  1. Open Google Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top-right corner of the window.
  2. Click “Settings” in the drop-down menu to open the settings page.
  3. Scroll down to the bottom of the settings page and click “Advanced” to reveal additional settings.
  4. In the “Privacy and security” section, click “Security.”
  5. Scroll down to find the “Use secure DNS” option, and toggle it on.
  6. Once the option is enabled, you can choose between two options: “With your current service provider” or “Custom.” Select “Custom.”
  7. Click Custom and paste this URL https://doh.familyshield.opendns.com/dns-query
  8. Close the settings tab. The changes will take effect immediately.

Now you have successfully set up DNS over HTTPS on Google Chrome, providing you with an extra layer of privacy and security while browsing the internet.

Securing your Firefox Browser with DoH(DNS over HTTPS) for FREE

Setting up DNS over HTTPS (DoH) in Firefox is simple. Follow these steps:

  1. Open Firefox and click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top-right corner of the browser window.
  2. Click “Options” or “Preferences” (depending on your operating system).
  3. In the search bar at the top of the Options/Preferences page, type “DNS.”
  4. Look for “Network Settings” and click the “Settings” button next to it.
  5. In the “Connection Settings” window, scroll down to “Enable DNS over HTTPS.”
  6. Check the box next to “Enable DNS over HTTPS.”
  7. Select a provider from the “Use Provider” dropdown menu. By default, Firefox offers Cloudflare as an option, but you choose a custom provider by selecting “Custom” and entering the provider’s URL. https://doh.familyshield.opendns.com/dns-query
  8. Click “OK” to save your changes and close the “Connection Settings” window.

Now, Firefox will use DNS over HTTPS for resolving domain names, enhancing your online privacy and security.

By configuring your browser or operating system to use OpenDNS FamilyShield with DoH, you can effectively filter out inappropriate content while ensuring that your DNS queries remain private and secure. This will provide a safer browsing experience for your kids and protect them from potentially harmful content online.

Note to Parents: As we continue to explore and evaluate various parental control solutions, this page will be regularly updated with new recommendations and insights. Be sure to bookmark it and check back often to stay informed about the latest tools and strategies for keeping your family safe online. Your child’s online safety is our priority, and we’re committed to providing you with the most effective resources available.

Disclaimer: The recommended apps come from reputed companies that have a proven track record of delivering high-quality products. These apps have been selected based on their privacy and security aspects, but I cannot be held responsible for any issues or problems that may arise with these companies in the future. Please use these apps at your own risk.

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