Internet Browser Family Filter (tell me, can it be done?)

**galleon** · 02-05-2013, 02:13 PM

So from what I've heard on the Z10 there are some cool parental control features but no real internet filter. I'm asking you as developers who know the ins and the outs of the OS if this is possible to build such an app, if it is I may get into developing just to build this one app, or if you build me one I'd pay 50 bucks a copy minimum 4 copies.(I know that doesn't mean its worth it I'm just emphasizing how much I need the app)

I need a filtering app that runs behind the stock browser. I would like user defined blocking categories (ie,adult content, pornography, social networking etc). If the categories thing was too much of a pain we could even go with just standard, very kid-safe settings. I realize some of this could involve 3rd party rating companies.

Maybe what I'm wondering the most is if the BB10 OS would allow this kind of thing at all to control the stock browser?

**mikeo007** · 02-05-2013, 02:19 PM

I don't think it's possible to set this up on the phone using the stock browser.

The two options I can see are:

- Filtering your Internet traffic using your router (would only work at home) or forcing your phone to connect through a proxy that you set up at home.

- building a browser app that allows the requested parental controls. A browser app could still use the Bb10 rendering engine, so the experience would be similar to the stock browser.

**pcguy514** · 02-05-2013, 02:33 PM

If the BB10 supports custom DNS, then something like OpenDNS Would sort you out propper
OpenDNS - Parental Controls

**galleon** · 02-05-2013, 02:55 PM

Much appreciated guys!

or forcing your phone to connect through a proxy that you set up at home.

Would this only work on home WiFi or can this be done on the cellular network as well? I am thinking of setting up a BES server and maybe I could use that to enforce proxy policy, but its still quite unclear to me how much the BES10 service actually costs.

If the BB10 supports custom DNS, then something like OpenDNS Would sort you out propper

This would work on WiFi, but even if it could be done on the mobile side, I don't know of any DNS filter companies that support mobile IP addresses.

**KermEd** · 02-07-2013, 01:37 PM

The only solution I can think of (for native browser) is to setup a proxy filter at home.

You need software like websense installed. Or a commercial company that does this.

You then need to set the settings in proxy on bb10.

BUT someone could remoVe those to bypass it. I could add this to Secure Browser but then they can just use a normal browser to bypass.

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**Qrewww** · 03-15-2013, 08:41 AM

Galleon

I have been asking your very question. Any luck with developers?
I would like to see a Netsweeper app for mobile phones

**galleon** · 03-15-2013, 02:31 PM

I could add this to Secure Browser but then they can just use a normal browser to bypass.

Are you affiliated with secure browser? It would be easy enough to block access to the stock browser and BB World. I had tried a browser called Safe Browser, which works but really does a poor job of filtering, lets in a lot of garbage. It would be nice to be able to use my own proxy server with it.

Its just grievous to me that it seems BB10 is not setup to filter with the stock browser. Surely BB can come up with something that works. Parents would fall all over it if they would make network/device level filter that would filter everything on the phone!

**KermEd** · 03-16-2013, 08:45 PM

You bet, Secure Browser is my oldest (and largest coded) app for BlackBerry.

I love the idea of filters. Implementation could be tricky. Outgoing urls (blocking going to sites) is easy. Its the list incorporation, speed of processing, and loaded content not from the URL bar (ads, iframes, etc) that is tougher.

Edit: it needs to be blocked at the IP level - HaTaX got that down for Simple Browser - but I haven't had a chance to request + review his code for the change.

I've been doing the opposite and reviewing adding Tor compatibility as well. But the info I need (establishing a path on the Tor network the right way) isn't in their documents anywhere.

Ed

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