The internet is VERY important today. Get to know it better.

When your son comes back from camp, he will approach you for use of the computer for schoolwork. Decisions will have to be made, and you should be able to keep a closer eye on it's use by always being aware of the cookies that gather in "Internet Explorer" (if that is your browser). I don't know Netscape because I've always used Internet Explorer, but if you search online, there are free tuorials about other browsers including Firefox.


When you first go into Internet Explorer, on the top right of the page is TOOLS, click on TOOLS, then INTERNET OPTIONS, then VIEW FILES. These are the COOKIES. If you want to delete them (after you read them to find out some of what is being loaded from some sites), click on EDIT, click on SELECT ALL, then click on FILE, and click DELETE (this will delete ALL at the same time), but if you only want individual cookies deleted, just highlight each one instead by clicking on it).

I posted similar info about the ability to look at internet usage on the computer, but what I'm going to post now is a little more comprehensive.
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1) Windows XP (maybe only XP, I don't know if it is the same in other versions), press CTRL H (control H). You will see a dialog box asking "yes or no".
Do this now, I've done it online, there is no problem (deleting does mean that you have to sign back on Curezone and other sites with your passwords, even if you forget your passwords, all sites have a "Forgot your password" option and they send you an e-mail to pick a new password).
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http://www.internet-history-eraser.com/why.htm

(this shows much of what is left on the computer, "index.dat" is a file that can only be "cleaned" because even if you delete the file, it will always rebuild itself everytime the computer is turned on).
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"TYPE" is a command in D.O.S. (used to read a file), so instead of using that word, I'll just say "put". Windows XP doesn't have a COMPLETE DOS and you cannot delete a file that is being used by Windows, but Win 95 and 98 will allow you to reboot in DOS and then you can delete index.dat if you wish.
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2) At the bottom left of the keyboard between the CTRL key and ALT key is the "Windows" key, press it once while ALSO pressing F. Now you can search for any file on the computer.

Click on "Search all files and folders" in the box at the left. This will open a window asking for the name of the file that you are looking for, put "index.dat" (not the quotes) and press enter.

In a few seconds, there will be a list of directories where index.dat is used. You only want to delete the one in the COOKIES directory, but do nothing now.

The file "index.dat" is a file that is shared in a few directories, so you don't want to be careless and delete it by NAME (this is what is dangerous about the privacy programs that promise to "delete the file", unless you get an expensive one, they will most likely delete ALL files by that name). If you have a firewall, you MIGHT have nothing in this file.
------------------This file can be read with the EDIT command in D.O.S. more easily than with the TYPE command (if you have EDIT on your computer). Put EDIT index.dat (nothing in DOS is case sensitive, I'm only adding emphasis) and enter.
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Also look at the file in DOS (this is where you will DELETE later).
3)-Press the "Windows" key once and click "run", put "cmd" and enter (this is a "DOS" window, but you're still in "Windows" and cannot delete index.dat yet, just get familiar with DOS before you reboot).
Different versions of Windows will have different directory names, but you are not yet in the ROOT directory. Put "CD\" and enter, now you are in the root directory (C:\>).

At C:\>, put "dir index.dat /s" and enter (the /s means to search the WHOLE hard drive, it's called the forward slash (or backslash?). In a few seconds, you'll see a list of all the directories where that file is being used. When you restart the computer, you'll be restarting it in a "complete" version of DOS and will be able to delete that file because Windows will not be running. You will also be able to rename the file so that it simply will be inactive or you can change the contents of the file to be meaningless. Nevertheless, the file (in name only, but ready to be filled by whatever site gains access to it) will always exist.
Put DIR and enter (DIR/p will show PER PAGE, and you will see the file "index.dat" somewhere near the top (never put quotes in the command) and need to press enter a few more times to get to the end of the directory.
If you don't have EDIT, put TYPE index.dat | MORE (pipe symbol below backspace key).You can change the name of the file, change the contents of the file, it doesn't matter, the file itself will rebuild (it will be empty) if you delete it. You will find many things on this file that you never knew you had (loaded from the internet without your knowledge).
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4) If you do choose to reboot into DOS (just can't be done in XP, only 95 and 98) so that you can delete, you can also get to the ROOT directory by pressing " CD.." (instead of slash) and search with the same command (C:\>dir index.dat /s). Make sure you go to the COOKIES directory in order to delete or modify this ONE file (press CD [directory name] and press enter (I don't know if the others rebuild).

Before you actually delete, press "dir/p" (per page) and enter just to make sure where you are (it will only show one page at a time, press enter to go to next page). Put EDIT index.dat. Scroll through the file,...down, and, sideways if necessary to read the WHOLE file. Access the commands at the top of the screen by pressing ALT and the first letter of the command, you can edit the file and change it's contents or delete it. It will rebuild itself EMPTY if you delete (always double check later). In order to leave DOS and return to Windows, put EXIT.
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http://www.boutell.com/newfaq/privacy/history.html

(this shows that Firefox is better for internet privacy and you can get it here also).
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This website gives instructions to clear your cache when you enter Internet Explorer: (I copied and pasted the most important part)
----------http://.www.clearallhistory.com/clear-browser-history.html
To select individual files to erase:
Choose Tools, Internet Options and click the Settings button under the General tab. Select View Files to open a folder window showing what IE stored while you were browsing. Delete individual items there if you want.

To wipe the cache entirely: Click Tools from the top navigation bar, Internet Options, Delete Files under the General tab, check Delete all offline content and click OK twice.
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(if you look for something called the "Application" key (helpful), it's on the bottom right of the keyboard between CTRL and WIN key (press Windows key, click run, put "osk" and enter). You might have an older keyboard that won't have the same keys as on screen.

Win key and D will instantly hide the internet to the task bar, pressing again opens it back up (you can hide your task bar in the Start menu).

You can search for any file in the hard drive in DOS by using the /s and send the results of your search to a file of your own choosing, you don't even have to create the file beforehand. Put iforgo?.hu? /s >myfile and press enter.
The ? is a wildcard and means that you forgot the complete name. The results of the search will go into myfile instead of you having to sit at the computer for 2 minutes in order to see all the results scroll by. You will be able to read the file with TYPE myfile | more (one page at a time), but won't be able to print in DOS (maybe copy to a Windows directory for copy and paste later?). The command to rename is RENAME myfile whoever. Sorry XP people, you can search, but cannot delete Windows files (only 95er's and 98er's).
There ARE "rogue" files on the computer, but index.dat seems to be a file of the operating system that is most often exploited, but what your first concern should be what your abuser can find out about your online activities.

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This is a post I once put on the computer forum that lists some other rogue files (no doubt there are many more today).

//www.curezone.org/forums/fm.asp?i=731681


Children can also now access the internet from the Cell Phone and download files onto the Cell Phone , then later transfer the files to the computer into secret directories of their own using a USB connection. Talk to the computer teacher at his school and discuss the problem.


Christianity Today magazine is now offering internet service that has artificial intelligence filtering.

http://www.christianityonline.com/


Download this guide at the Children' Partnership.

http://www.childrenspartnership.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Technology&Templa...


p 0 r n o g r a p h y isn't the only problem that you will be dealing with on the computer, it is also malware and spyware. The best program I've used (and it's FREE, no trial),...SPYBOT, Search an Destroy. It is VERY GOOD, thorough and informative in every way. PC World magazine also reviewed it. Go to Spybot's homepage for more explanation and download from the second icon at the top of the page.


http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html


http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,22262-page,1/description.html


One of the best ways of ensuring that the internet isn't abused is to keep it constructive and educational. Pendaflex Office Supplies wants people to learn how to NEED office supplies and offers free courses at it's learning center online.

http://www.pendaflex.com/

http://oedb.org/library/features/236-open-courseware-collections


http://www.teach12.com/teach12.asp

(this educational video company has sales and the family can all keep occupied by sharing.

http://www.myspaceguardian.net/?gclid=CJfnpZim5owCFQGPWAodr0t-6g


http://www.cknow.com/tutorcom/dos01_intro.htm


http://www.familywatchdog.us/