website blocker that can't be defeated by admin?

newbiesforever · 11-15-2008, 11:58 PM

Is there any software that can block websites and not be overridden by the administrator (by knowing the password, deleting the software, or some other clever trick)? I'd like to keep myself off time-wasting sites (this isn't about making my computer child-safe, as I have none), but if I had a website blocker, what good would it be if I knew the password or if I could delete (or at least shut down) the program?

Quakeboy02 · 11-16-2008, 12:18 AM

God can't do something that god can't undo. So, you'll just have to practice more self control.

AuroraCA · 11-16-2008, 12:37 AM

Why would you want to prevent a system administrator from being able to administer his computer system? If you want total control of a system then you should buy your own and then you can have free reign over everything on the system. If you don't own it you cannot expect to prevent the authorized administrator from making any changes that they deem necessary or desirable for the good of the system.

gilead · 11-16-2008, 01:00 AM

Amen Quakeboy02

Apart from restraint there's inconvenience. You could have your internet connection go through an external box that you don't have simple access to. In short though, if you can set it up, you can tear it down.

salasi · 11-16-2008, 03:59 AM

The only thing that I can think of that you do but not undo is to burn your network cable. But:

it is not exactly software
it might be a bit more dramatic than you would like
and, even then, you could buy a new network cable

so the only permanent thing that immediately comes to mind is to become an illegal file sharer and get kicked off the net permanently. I'm not encouraging this, but it is likley to reduce the time you spend on time-wasting websites.

By now, the self control option should be sounding attractive.

newbiesforever · 11-16-2008, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AuroraCA

Why would you want to prevent a system administrator from being able to administer his computer system? If you want total control of a system then you should buy your own and then you can have free reign over everything on the system. If you don't own it you cannot expect to prevent the authorized administrator from making any changes that they deem necessary or desirable for the good of the system.

But I do have total control of it. It's my computer.

ErV · 11-16-2008, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newbiesforever

But I do have total control of it. It's my computer.

This is the main problem, actually.
You are administrator, so you can override any "time-waster blocker" you might install.

iainmackay85 · 11-16-2008, 12:43 PM

why not use a random selection of characters to set the password and don't write it down, changing the root password stopping you making changes.

ErV · 11-16-2008, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iainmackay85

why not use a random selection of characters to set the password and don't write it down, changing the root password stopping you making changes.

When you have physical access to machine, this also can be easily bypassed.