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eScan Parental Control (ePC) The latest version of eScan Parental Control (ePC) is 9.x. It is compatible with Microsoft Windows operating systems like W'95,98,ME,NT 4(srv & wks),2000,2003,XP,Vista (32 & 64 bit) and can be accessed when installed by first right clicking on the green 'e icon added to the systray of the ePC and secondly clicking on eScan Parental Control Administrator.
The ePC has different profile options like "Walled Garden", "Teenager", "Adolescent" and “Adult".
A) Walled Garden:
This is the first profile option.
This is the recommended profile set for children up to the age of 10. It grants access to the internet based on the websites listed in the White List.
When activated, two (2) options are displayed, viz. default and custom, the details of which are given below.
B) Teenager:
This is the second profile option.
This is the recommended profile set for children in the age group of 11 – 15. It grants access to the internet based on the below filters:-
1. Black Lists 2. In-page filter 3. Domain Name filter 4. HTML Tags including page titles 5. Reserve Word threshold of 1 6. Blocks all Java Applets and ActiveX Scripts except from predefines sites list
When activated, two (2) options are displayed, viz. default and custom, the details of which are given below.
C) Adolescent:
This is the third profile option.
This is the recommended profile set for children in the age group of 16 – 18. It grants access to the internet based on the below filters:-
1.Black Lists 2.In-page filter 3.Domain Name filter 4.HTML Tags including page titles 5.Reserve Word threshold of 5
When activated, two (2) options are displayed, viz. default and custom, the details of which are given below.
D) Adult:
This is the fourth profile option.
This is the recommended profile set for adults (above 18 years of age). It grants full access to the internet except for the websites listed in the Black List along with no keyword threshold level.
When activated, two (2) options are displayed, viz. default and custom, the details of which are given below.
The options available below are a part of all the above profiles (common) and are explained below -
1. Default - this is the option which when selected would set back/revert all the configuration settings to the original (all recent changes made would be lost).
2. Custom – this is the option which when selected would help you to customize the way children should surf/ browse the internet.
The custom has different options like "Inactive", "Active", "Block Web Access", "Time Restrictions" and "Advanced".
i) Inactive: this is the default option set.
ii) Active: this option is not set as the default. When enabled, this option helps in controlling and blocking access to the Web.
To control and block the access to the web, it has different pre-defined categories in the "Filter categories" section, like:-
a) Pornography - this helps to control and block access to the web based on pornographic content. On selection of this category, it displays the words/phrases defined for it along with the site names that when accessed would result in Blocking of Access or "Access Denied" to the site desired. The words and phrases and/or sites defined can be added or deleted based on requirements.
b) Gambling - this helps to control and block access to the web based on gambling content. On selection of this category, it displays the words/phrases defined for it that when accessed would result in Blocking of Access or "Access Denied" to the site desired. The words and phrases defined can be added or deleted based on requirements.
c) Ratings_block_category - this helps to control and block access to the web and is kept open for any words/phrases to be added to the words/phrases and to the site names list.
d) Websites Allowed – this category has all the websites to which access would be granted. The websites can be deleted or added based on requirements. •Categories can be added or deleted using the field provided just above the "Filter Options". •The sites that are denied access to would automatically be added to the Block category to be filtered.
iii) Block Web Access: this option is not set as default. When enabled, it blocks / denies access to the web completely. If the need arises, access to the web can be given on a conditional basis, for example - access to the web, given only to certain websites like www.hotmail.com, yahoo.*, gmail.com, etc... and all the others would be blocked / denied access.
This conditional access can be applied through the "Filter Categories", for which the words/phrases and site names can be added to the list accordingly.
iv) Time Restrictions: this option is set as per requirement. This option helps to customize the access to the web based on time or as per the day of the week or daily, for example - access to the web should be allowed everyday only during lunch hours and blocked otherwise.
v) Advanced: this option is available at the bottom end of the ePC configuration page and gets enabled only when the "Active" (above) option is selected. When clicked on, it has many sub- features and functionalities that help to control and block access to the web.
There are different options available like "Content Matching Options", "Content Type", "ActiveX Blocking", "Port Setting", "Rating Systems" and "Actions"
1. Content Matching Options - this option is helpful in controlling and blocking access to the web based on matching content and which works on different criterias:-
a. Search in Site Name - the site name or url typed would be checked if it is listed in the restricted or blocked categories.
b. Search in HTML Tags - the HTML tags would be checked if they contains any restricted or blocked words/phrases or site names.
c. Search in Title - the title would be checked if it contains any restricted or blcoked words/phrases or site names.
d. Search in Page Text - the web page text would be checked if it contains any restricted or blocked words/phrases.
e. Search in Description and Keywords - the restricted or blocked words/phrases would be checked in the website's description and keywords.
f. Reserve Word Threshold Level - This is a threshold level/limit set within the software that keeps a count of how many times a restricted or blocked word/s appears, if the set word/s have appeared as per the default value or more the access to the web is blocked or restricted and vice versa.
2. Content Type - this option is helpful in controlling and blocking access to the web based on the type of content and which works on different criterias:-
a. Block Images - Images on websites will be blocked from being viewed
b. Block Applications - Applications on websites will be blocked from being run/executed
The usefulness of the above (a and b) are mentioned below:-
i) Saving on Internet Bandwidth - for example - to view an image or to run/execute an application available on the website that we like, we click on the image for it to be enlarged or run the application in order to get the possible desired output, as a result in doing so, it eats up the internet bandwidth.
ii) Secure the system and data from malwares like spywares, adwares, trojans, etc... that creep onto the system when surfing and exploit vulnerabilities of the operating system and the applications installed on them.
iii) Degradation of the system (performance).
c. Block eMails (RFC 822) - Messages of RFC 822 would be blocked by default.
d. Block Audio files - Audio files on websites will be blocked from being run/executed.
e. Block Video files - Video files on websites will be blocked from being run/executed.
The usefulness of the above (d and e)are mentioned below:-
i) Saving on Internet Bandwidth - for example - listening/viewing to an audio/video available on the website that we like, we click on it and start listening/viewing, as a result in doing so, it eats up the internet bandwidth.
ii) Secure the system and data from malwares like spywares, adwares, trojans, etc... that creep onto the system when surfing and exploit vulnerabilities of the operating system and the applications installed on them.
iii) Degradation of the system (performance).
3. ActiveX Blocking - ActiveX is a technology developed by Microsoft. With an ActiveX-enabled browser, ActiveX controls can be downloaded as part of a Web document to add functionality to the browser (similar to Java applets).
a. Java Applets - Java is a programming language from Sun Microsystems and in which an applet is written, it can be included in an HTML page, much in the same way an image is included in a page. When you use a Java technology-enabled browser to view a page that contains an applet, the applet's code is transferred to your system and executed by the browser.
For example - to enhance interactive control, primarily in Web browsers and other network-oriented interactive software applications.
b. Scripts (Java and VB) - is a list of commands that can be executed without user interaction, to automate certain application tasks or to work in a particular computing environment/scenario. So, when any script be it Java or VB (Visual Basic) is found to contain any malicious code, it is blocked.
This option is very useful in blocking programs that trigger or execute themselves when a website is being viewed.
4. Port Setting - Internet Access (HTTP Port)- 80,8080,3128,6588,4480,88. These are the different ports defined within the software that are monitored for any data transfer that happens through them and if it contains any malicious data, it is blocked. You can add or delete the ports as per your requirements.
5. Rating Systems - this option is not enabled by default. When enabled, this option allows each user or the administrator to set for each user, of how he/ she should access content on the web. These suggestions (advice) are laid down by World Renowned Organisations that cater to Content Filtering on the Internet, viz. RSACi, ICRA, SafeSurf.
a. RSACi - Based on the study and work of Dr.Donal F. Roberts of Stanford University on the effects of media on children for nearly 20 years certain guidelines were laid, based on which "Recreational Software Advisory Council" (RSACi) was formed. Is a rating service of websites for content on the Internet.
b. ICRA - "Internet Content Rating Association" (ICRA) came into existence to protect children from harmful content on the internet. Is a global, cross-cultural filtering and rating service of websites for content on the Internet.
c. SAFESURF - Designed with inputs from millions of users (parents) and Net Citizens to empower each family to make informed decisions concerning accessibility of content on the Internet.
6. Actions - All of the above criteria are checked when enabled and if any violation is found appropriate action is taken.
a. Log Violations - All violations are logged for easy administration and for future reference.
b. Shutdown program in 30 seconds - If any of the rules/policies that are defined are found to be violated, then the software has a in-built functionality to automatically shutdown the program (browser) in 30 seconds.
Other Options available:
The other options available in the eScan Parental Content Administrator (on the right hand side above corner are "Change Password", "License Information", "About Content Administrator" and "Help".
a) Change Password: this option is helpful in restricting unauthorised user/s from accessing and changing the configuration settings of eScan. Once the password is applied, the administrator of the eScan software (no user including the local user of the system) is the only person who can configure/reconfigure the settings of eScan.
b) License Information: this option helps in knowing the license details of the eScan software. It displays the license version, the period of the license key (when the software contract ends - needs to be renewed) along with the license key.
c) About eScan Parental Content (ePC)Administrator: this option displays more details of the eScan Parental Content Administrator like it's version and build, the developers details like website, contact email address and a copyright warning.
d) Help: this option when clicked on displays the help manual of the software.
Other options -
Save - this option enables the user to Save the settings done.
Refresh - this option refreshes itself and displays the latest status.
