Instant Messenger (IM) Settings
There are many features within the IM Settings Page. This page will explain each feature so you have more of an understanding of them and therefore be able to utilise them to their full potential. Each section has a tickbox asking if you want to apply any of these rules to all users on the computer.
Alerts:
You can be sent an alert whenever an IM program is opened and/or whenever a chat session triggers a violation. These alerts will be sent to the email address(es) and mobile(s) in the
PC Settings
Page.
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On Violation:
When violation occurs within a chat session, you have 3 options for ways in which Sentry Parental Controls can control this access:
1) Block IM - this stops the chat session altogether
2) Cross Out Violation Word - this replaces the violated word with asterixes (e.g. ****)
3) Don't Deliver - this simply stops the specific message from being sent or received
4) Take No Action - this will allow the violated word(s) to be sent or received. However, you will still receive an alert if it is enabled above.
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Restricted Users List:
This section lets you add people by Screen Name (which can be their username, email address, or nickname) which will block access to the specific user. Users can be also added within the
IM Logs Page
.
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Keyword Catgories:
You can tick or untick certain categories that you want to monitor and/or block. Words and phrases within each category are chosen by Sentry Parental Controls and are kept confidential to the public. These categories are:
Adult/Mature
Enticement
Gambling
Profanity
Illicit Drug Use
Alcohol Use
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You can allow certain words that are within any of these lists by adding them to the Allowed Keywords List....
Custom Keywords List:
You can add any keywords (words or phrases) to the Allow or Block Lists. This will override any box that may be ticked or unticked in the keyword categories. For example, the word "sex" will be listed within the Adult/Mature category, however, this word may be interpreted in different ways such as someone's gender. Adding this word to the Allow List will allow access any web page with this word included but still block any other word in the Adult/Mature category.
This works in the same way with the Block List.
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