BlockMyself

Full Accountability (Very Technical)

Full accountability methods are for those who are very tech-savvy or need the maximum level of control and lock-down. These can involve network-wide filtering, custom hardware/software setups, or enterprise-level tools configured for home use. At this level, you essentially create an environment where nearly every avenue of inappropriate content is blocked or monitored, but it requires significant technical effort to implement and maintain.

iPhone (Full)

For the iPhone, the highest level of lock-down might involve external hardware/network controls since on-device options are limited by Apple’s sandbox. Here’s what an advanced scenario can include:

• Network-Wide Filtering with VPN Backhaul: Configure your home network to filter content (using a solution like Pi-hole with adult content blocklists or an OpenDNS Umbrella account). Then, have the iPhone always connect through a VPN to your home network when away. For example, set up a VPN server (using WireGuard or OpenVPN) on your home router or a cloud instance that funnels traffic through your home’s Pi-hole/DNS filter. On the iPhone, use a VPN client configured to auto-connect. This way, whether the iPhone is on cellular or outside Wi-Fi, its internet is forced through your filtered network. This is highly technical (involves networking knowledge and running a VPN server), but it achieves comprehensive filtering off-network.
• Supervised Device & MDM Profiles: Apple allows a device to be put in “supervised” mode (typically via Apple Configurator). If you supervise your iPhone, you can install configuration profiles that the user cannot remove. For instance, you could push a profile that locks Safari to only allowed domains or one that permanently enforces“Limit Adult Websites” without an option to change it. Third-party MDM solutions (some have free tiers for a single device) like Mosyle Home or Cisco Umbrella can enforce web filters on iOS. Umbrella (by Cisco) has a mobile profile that routes DNS through their service and blocks adult content, essentially an always-on content filter. This requires an account and technical setup but once in place, the device honors those restrictions at a low level.
• App Restrictions via MDM: In supervised mode, you can also hide or disable apps beyond what Screen Time allows. For example, you could completely disable the App Store (so no new apps can be installed at all), or allow only specific apps to appear on the home screen. You could remove Safari and force the use of a specific safe browser app, if desired. These MDM configurations are typically XML profiles that you install on the phone.
• Advanced Monitoring Apps: Use specialized apps that employ device-level VPN and AI to monitor content. Covenant Eyes, for instance, in its most recent form uses on-device machine learning to detect inappropriate images and sends alerts (in addition to blocking some content via DNS). While it’s a paid service, a very technical user might opt for it to cover scenarios that pure blocking misses (like someone installing a new browser app, or receiving inappropriate content via messaging apps). Another app, Blur (Fortify), can lock down the phone by disabling web browsers and app installs, requiring an accountability partner to unlock them. These are extreme measures for someone who is serious about eliminating all temptation on an iPhone.
• Hardware Solutions (Router Enforcement): Some users go as far as using hardware that enforces rules on devices. For example, a service called Circle by Disney (or similar devices) can profile network traffic per device and block categories (including on iPhones). If you assign the iPhone to a filtered profile on such a device, it will block inappropriate sites at the router level and even enforce time limits, regardless of the iPhone’s local settings.

At full technical level, the idea is redundancy and non-bypassability. A supervised iPhone with MDM profiles will resist any attempt by the user to delete or alter the restrictions. Pair that with network/VPN enforcement and even if one method is somehow circumvented, another stands in the way. The downside is maintainability – every iOS update or profile change needs to be managed, and using a VPN 24/7 can impact battery and speed. But if done right, this setup makes an iPhone nearly “porn-proof.”

Android (Full)

On Android, a power-user can achieve very strict controls, often by leveraging root access or network controls:

• Root the Device for Total Control: Rooting an Android phone (if the model allows it) gives you system-level access. With root, you can use tools like AFWall+ (Android Firewall) to control internet access on a per-app basis. For instance, completely block web browsers from internet access (so only allowed apps can go online), or only allow browsers through a specific proxy or VPN. You can also install scripts or apps that automatically apply hosts file updates (e.g., a script to pull a porn-site blocklist daily and update /system/etc/hosts).
• Xposed Framework & Modules: If rooted, you can use Xposed modules designed for restricting usage. There are modules that can force safe mode in YouTube, prevent certain apps from being opened, or fake an internet outage for blacklisted apps at certain times. This is very advanced and can destabilize the device if not careful, but offers deep customization.
• Custom ROMs with Filtering: Some custom Android ROMs might offer enhanced parental controls. For example, a custom OS could be built with a baked-in DNS filter or lacking app installation capabilities. If you have the skill, you could compile an Android build that simply doesn’t include a browser or has a modified DNS resolver.
• Enterprise Mobile Management (EMM): Similar to iOS MDM, Android (especially Android Enterprise or Android for Work) can be managed with EMM policies. If you configure the phone as a managed device (you’d need an EMM provider; Samsung Knox or Google’s own endpoint management if you have a business GSuite account), you can enforce policies like whitelisting apps, blocking uninstall of certain apps, or always-on VPN. For instance, you could enforce an always-on VPN that routes through a filtered server (and the user can’t turn it off), and disallow installing any apps outside a certain list. This essentially turns a personal phone into a corporately managed device, but for the sake of strict content control.
• Network-wide Enforcement: Similar to the iPhone approach, ensure that whenever the Android is on Wi-Fi, the router has strict filtering (like using a firewall to block DNS queries to anything except your approved DNS server, so the user cannot bypass by changing DNS). If using data, consider setting up a VPN on the device (OpenVPN or WireGuard auto-connect) to funnel through home filtering. Some advanced users even run all their mobile data through a VPS (virtual private server) with filtering rules – it’s like having your own filtered proxy server in the cloud.
• Monitor with Logging: Enable extensive logging so that even if something slips, you know. For example, run a Pi-hole or proxy that logs all domains accessed by the Android. Regularly review these logs (or have them emailed to an accountability partner). Technical users can set up a script that triggers alerts if certain keywords or domains are accessed. This doesn’t directly block, but it’s a full accountability measure because it creates a record of attempts.
• Xiaomi/Certain OEM Routers: If you use the phone mostly at home, some custom router firmwares (like OpenWrt with plugins, or Asus Merlin firmware) allow DPI (deep packet inspection) and can block traffic by content categories beyond DNS. Configuring those at the network could complement device efforts. For example, you could block all traffic to IPs not on a whitelist during certain hours, or intercept HTTP requests and use squidGuard (if running a proxy on the router).

Combining root-level modifications with external enforcement can make an Android device extremely locked down. However, note that a knowledgeable user with physical access who has rooted their phone could also unroot or find ways around, so true full lock-down might require relinquishing some control to an external party. For example, you might root the phone to set it up, but then give it to someone who will periodically check it or hold passwords to apps like AFWall+. In summary, the Full approach on Android is about taking advantage of Android’s openness—either to lock it down with custom configurations or using enterprise-level management to remove freedoms, ironically making it behave more like a controlled iPhone.

Windows (Full)

A fully locked-down Windows environment to prevent inappropriate content can resemble a high-security corporate or school setup. Here are components of such a setup:

• Whitelist-Only Networking: Configure the system to use a proxy for all web traffic and then lock down that configuration. For example, set up Squid proxy on the local machine or network with whitelist rules (or with a heavy blacklist for disallowed sites/categories via something like squidGuard or DansGuardian). Then use Windows Group Policy to force all internet traffic through this proxy (disable direct internet access). In Group Policy, you can specify proxy settings that users cannot change and even prevent network connections if the proxy isn’t used. This ensures no web traffic bypasses your filters.
• Certificate Inspection: To block HTTPS sites (which most adult sites are), set up a system to intercept and inspect HTTPS. This is typically done via a proxy that acts as a MITM (Man-in-the-Middle): you’d install a custom root certificate on Windows (which requires admin, do this as part of initial setup) and use a filtering proxy that decrypts HTTPS, checks content, then re-encrypts. Solutions like Sophos Home (web filtering) or K9 (if it supported HTTPS) did this. You can achieve it with Squid and a self-signed CA. This way, even if a site is on some unusual domain or using CDN, the proxy can examine the URL or content and block if it matches forbidden patterns. This is very advanced and needs maintenance (certificate management, etc.).
• Application Control: Use AppLocker (available in Windows Pro/Enterprise) or third-party application whitelisting to allow only specific programs to run. For instance, only allow browsers you’ve secured, disallow TOR or VPN software, disallow any unknown executables. AppLocker can be configured via Group Policy to whitelist by publisher (so only approved software runs). This prevents a user from running a portable browser or a VPN client to circumvent your filters.
• Regular Hosts and DNS lockdown: Continue using hosts file and DNS as earlier, but also use Windows Firewall with Advanced Security to block outbound DNS traffic to anything except your chosen DNS server (to prevent a savvy user from switching to a different DNS). You can also block common VPN ports or protocols in the firewall if you suspect someone might try to use them.
• Family Safety + Third-party Combo: Even though you might have advanced setups, it doesn’t hurt to keep Microsoft Family Safety web filtering on (if feasible, like if the user is a child account on the machine) as an overlapping layer. Additionally, a program like Accountable2You could be installed which logs all websites visited (even inside incognito) and periodically sends reports to an accountability partner. At Full level, you might actually run multiple monitoring tools in parallel – yes, it’s redundant, but redundancy catches more. For example, Covenant Eyes + Qustodio + your own custom filtering proxy together.
• User Account and Physical Security: The Windows user should be a standard user with no admin rights. The admin account’s credentials should be held by someone else. Consider removing that standard user from the Administrators group and even from power users. Use BIOS/UEFI passwords and disable booting from USB or CD, so the user cannot boot into a Linux live CD to edit the system and remove the protections. Basically, lock down the hardware to prevent circumvention (this is what schools do for student laptops).
• Updates and Maintenance: Keep the system updated so no known exploits can be used to gain admin access. Also, maintain the block lists and proxies: a full solution might involve updating your proxy’s blocklist (subscribe to an adult content category feed if using commercial filtering software or use free lists). Set up logging on all these systems (e.g., Squid logs, Windows event logs for AppLocker) and have them emailed or reviewed by someone.

This level of control on Windows turns the PC into a kiosk of sorts – heavily restricted. It is appropriate for scenarios like a family computer for young teens where you want near-complete assurance or for personal use if you have a very strong commitment to avoiding vice and are okay with handing over control of the machine’s configs to an accountability partner. The key at Full level is to assume the user will try to circumvent and preempt every method of circumvention. That’s why we combine network, system, and application layers. It’s labor-intensive to set up but can be very effective. Keep in mind, determined individuals might still find obscure ways (technology is ever-changing), so ongoing vigilance is part of the Full accountability approach.

Mac (Full)

On a Mac, full lock-down is a bit trickier than Windows due to the Unix-based system and not having as many third-party enterprise tools available for personal use, but you can still reach a high level of control:

• Parental Controls in Managed Accounts: Create a managed user account for daily use with only whitelisted apps and websites. macOS Screen Time (in recent versions) can be set to “Allowed Websites Only” as discussed, and you would populate it with a reasonably small set of domains. Log in as that user for normal operation. Keep an admin account separate for maintenance (with the password held by someone else). The managed user will be unable to visit sites not on the list, period. This is an extreme but straightforward measure.
• Network Filter (PF) Enforcement: Use the Mac’s pf firewall to enforce network rules similar to what we’d do on a router. For example, create a pf rule that blocks all traffic on port 53 (DNS) except to your chosen DNS server’s IP. This prevents DNS override. Similarly, block common VPN ports. You can also redirect all web traffic to a local proxy running on the Mac (like Privoxy or Squid as discussed). Essentially, treat the Mac as if it were its own router: everything it tries to do online has to pass through your filtering rule set. Pf can be configured via /etc/pf.conf and you can set it to load on startup.
• Local Proxy with HTTPS Intercept: Install Squid proxy on the Mac and configure it with dynamic filtering (through blacklists or even content inspection). Add the Mac’s own CA certificate to the system keychain marked as trusted, so Squid can do HTTPS interception for filtering. Then, as mentioned, force all traffic to go through Squid (via pf or by only allowing the proxy’s port to have external access). This essentially replicates the advanced Windows approach but on macOS. There are guides out there for “Squid proxy on Mac for parental control” which cover generating a root cert, etc.
• Remove or Lock Down System Apps: Use the rm command advisedly to remove apps like Terminal for the managed user (so they can’t open Terminal and undo things). You might remove or block App Store as well on that account. There is a risk with modifying system, but you can always reinstall those via admin if needed. Alternatively, use Simple Finder mode – an older macOS parental control feature that provides a very limited Dock and no access to Finder or apps outside a preset list.
• MDM for Mac: Similar to iOS, if you enroll the Mac in an MDM (there are free software like Munki or paid services with free tiers), you can enforce profiles. For instance, a profile to disable VPN creation, a profile to limit system preferences access, etc. Apple’s Configurator can also be used to create a profile for macOS to disable the ability to use certain system features. If you have an Apple Business/School Manager account, you could even supervise a Mac (rare, but possible) for ultimate control.
• Extensive Logging and Accountability: Install accountability software on the Mac if available. Covenant Eyes does have a Mac client, as do other services like Accountable2You. These will log web activity and even take blurred screenshots for review. At full tech level, you might route logs from the Mac to a central syslog server or set up automatic email of certain logs (for example, pf can log packets that were blocked—reviewing those would show if any attempt was made to reach disallowed sites). Having an external person receive those logs or reports means any attempt to breach the setup would be noticed.

Because Macs are often single-user personal devices, a full lock-down might feel restrictive, but it’s achievable. Think of it as converting your Mac into a “child-proof” workstation: only explicitly allowed things work, everything else is either blocked or requires admin approval. The combination of whitelisting plus network-level enforcement is key. And as always, the admin credentials and any override mechanism should be controlled by someone other than the primary user for true accountability.

Linux (Full)

For Linux, many of the Full strategies overlap with what a sysadmin would do on a server or a network to enforce policy. Essentially, you turn your Linux system (or the network it’s on) into a highly restrictive environment:

• Deploy a Dedicated Filtering Appliance: Instead of filtering on the Linux PC itself, a hardcore method is to route all the Linux machine’s traffic through a dedicated device (could be another Linux box or VM acting as a gateway with filters). For example, set up a Raspberry Pi with two network interfaces as a transparent filtering bridgeusing ebtables/iptables and DansGuardian. Then force your PC to only access internet through that bridge. This offloads the heavy filtering to the Pi and even if someone tries to change settings on the PC, the external bridge is where filtering occurs. It’s like putting a locked filter in between.
• Kernel-Level Restrictions: Customize the Linux kernel or use security modules. Linux has frameworks like SELinux or AppArmor which can be used to confine processes. While typically used to limit system services for security, one could create profiles that prevent the browser from accessing certain paths or executing certain calls that might be used to circumvent things. For instance, prevent the browser from launching any other program or writing files (to stop clever tricks). This is a bit theoretical for content filtering but shows the extreme control possible.
• Remove Web Capabilities Entirely: One path to guaranteed no access is simply not installing a web browser at all on that Linux machine or uninstalling network tools. If the purpose of the machine doesn’t require web browsing (maybe it’s for work like writing or coding), you could choose to not have any browser or install only a text-based browser like Lynx with strict filters. This is an extreme measure but certainly effective.
• Full Network Whitelist: Configure iptables on the Linux PC to only allow traffic to a list of approved IP addresses (like work servers, necessary resources) and drop everything else. If you truly want to avoid all potential inappropriate content, shrinking the accessible internet to a curated set of domains/IPs does it. You can resolve and hardcode IPs for, say, your email server, software update servers, etc., and block DNS entirely. This way, the machine literally cannot reach any site that’s not pre-approved. Maintenance is high (you have to update rules when IPs change or when you need a new site), but it’s a brute-force solution.
• Scripted Oversight: Because Linux is script-friendly, you could set up an accountability script that runs periodically (via cron) to check system state. For instance, a script to verify that the hosts file still contains your entries, that the DNS hasn’t been changed, that certain processes (like your filtering proxy) are running. If something is amiss, it could automatically fix it or alert someone by email. Essentially, treat the maintenance of the filtering as an automated task, so it’s not reliant on remembering to check settings.
• Use of Containers/VMs: Run your regular browsing environment in a sandbox that is pre-filtered. For example, create a Docker container that has a browser and only allows traffic through a given proxy. If the user tries to bypass by installing another browser outside the container, you’ve set firewall rules on host to block that. This isolates where web activity can happen. Alternatively, run a virtual machine for general use that is heavily filtered, and the host machine has no direct internet access. You (or an accountability partner) control the VM settings to ensure it remains filtered.

Full lock-down on Linux can become a hobby project in itself, using all the open-source tools at your disposal. One important note: Linux gives ultimate freedom, which is double-edged for this purpose. The user (if it’s also the admin) can always theoretically boot from a live USB or mount the drive on another machine and undo changes if they have physical access. Thus, for true enforcement, you need to combine these software measures with physical security (lock the BIOS, etc.) as mentioned in Windows. Assuming you do that, a Linux system can be made as restrictive as any appliance if you invest the time.

(At this level, consider that it might be easier to handle things at the network level. Many find that deploying a single network-wide filter device (like a custom router with all the blocklists and rules) and then simply forbidding unfiltered internet access is simpler than micromanaging every device. See below for hosting and network suggestions.)

Note on External Tools: Across all devices at all levels, there are paid services like Covenant Eyes, Net Nanny, Qustodio, Accountable2You, etc., that can greatly assist or even replace some of the above measures. We’ve focused on free and built-in options, but if you find those lacking, exploring these services is worthwhile. For example, Covenant Eyes provides accountability reports and porn detection on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS, while Net Nanny offers real-time content filtering with AI. These cost money (subscriptions), so weigh that against the effort of the do-it-yourself methods. Often, a combination can be used – e.g., free OS-level blocks plus a paid accountability app as a backstop.