If you really want to restrict what a person can do on a computer do not give them an administrative account. Create a new account for them as "Standard User". Their ability to change settings, add or remove programs or shut down tasks will be restricted. Make there is only one password protected administrator account and disable the guest account. There are other ways to lock down an account even further but it gets a lot more complicated beyond this point.

If you're worried about someone doing a restore to reset a computer, remove the ability to restore a system from a factory image. Usually this just means deleting the partition that contains the factory image. Once that's done and you have the user accounts set up the way you want there are some good free tools you can use to create your own custom image to use to restore a system. The custom image can be password protected and stored on an external drive that can be kept in a safe place.

I'll draw some fire with this, but you did the right thing by letting Probation look around your house...You have nothing to hide and right now it is about your son, raising hell with probation will just get him on their bad side..If you piss off probation they're going to take it out on your son..It's wrong, but that's how it is.....The fact that they came means the State is willing to take over his parole/probation and I know that your State is a hell of a lot better than that pit called FloriDUH.....
My advice on PO's is that they are like the rest of society, Some are assholes, some are cool..Mine was one of the cool ones he wanted his people to succeed...The first time he came to my house he did look around just to get the layout, after that, the next couple of times he just came into the front room and after that I'd invite him in and he never did(Except one time because it raining) and after about 9 months he stopped coming over at all...I had to go in once a month and I was always 30 mins early.(I got off at 2.30 and had to be there at 3.30 so it helped, and since you are your sons employer, no problem there)...
Don't misunderstand, you didn't want to screw with him either..There was a guy that I was in county with and then in group with and we had the same PO.. and he played games, calling off sick for group or PO appointments etc... and Mark jammed him up and turned his 5 yrs suspended/ 60 days work release into 5 yrs as a guest of the DOC....That same PO surprised me one day when I reported in, handed me a piece of paper and said "Sign this"....He'd personally gone to the prosecutor and Judge..My 3 year probation was terminated at 18 months...
I'm not saying he will get a great PO, he may get a total asshole but he is going to have to play the game because YOU don't want him to go back to Prison, I don't want him to go back to Prison, and he DAMN SURE doesn't want to go back to prison....As long as he's on paper, that is just the reality of it all...
I am a minor Star Trek fan..Capt. Kirk kicks butt over Capt. Picard, but hey, i'm old....BUT, to quote the Borg.."Resistance is futile".....If you are on paper, that sums it up...

warbridle17 - I am in Florida also and I think any state that starts telling the family of RSOs they cannot have a computer because the RSO lives with them is treading into deep water - that is definitely punishing the family by association. That violates your civil rights!

What you Coastie get flack? LOL Just kidding and razzing you! I am a major ST fan and I think all the captains rock! I agree with what Coastie says in one vein and that is to get the feel of how they are going to treat your son first – however, I do not agree with letting them violate your Constitutional Rights as they please. To me, you may not have anything to hide but that is not the point. Somehow in our country it has become a symbol of some kind of guilt to exercise one’s Constitutional Rights and that is a travesty.
If you were more of a Picard and Data fan you would know that a couple of the most famous lines from Generations was when they said ‘Resistance is NOT futile.’ There are times when fighting for your rights, and your son’s (because he does still have some) is the thing to do. In the case of the initial PO visit it was probably not the right time. But the first step is to know ALL of your rights, your son’s rights, and the state and county laws that govern him. It is essential to have these tools since some will try to abuse their power because it is easier. For instance, the county where I live has a sex offender ordinance that governs RSOs while on paper and after – in that ordinance it states that living restrictions apply only to those whose victim was under 16 yrs of age (this would only apply after off paper because the state law includes all RSOs) – but guess what – they enforce the living restrictions on all RSOs because it is easier. That would a time to resist and stand up for ones rights but most do not either because they don’t know or they are afraid to stick up for themselves. As Coastie said you will encounter some that are great folks and others are jerks. Understand also that I am not advocating physical resistance! But education to these laws is key for resistance when needed – pick those battles carefully. I think the cameras are a terrific idea – but find out the law – in Florida it is legal to film any officer of the court when they are performing their duties.

so let me get this straight i saw that so can be on face book myspace . but they cant be online / does this really make sence . i mean you have to be online to get on sites like that . so why do they not make sence these laws. i hope rsol in the states will check into all this , bring it up to the govt how things are mixed up and pray things will change . to me if you are able get on them sites then that should enable that person to get online . . anyways i still wouldnt have face book or myspace if it was my last day on earth . .. to be put down and treated like a piece of garbage and told how bad of a mom i was cause im married to a called former sex offender) cause his past is past not present or future . . hes was changed to a new person the day he got saved period .. anyways like said . i dont care to be around no site that lets others condemn and ridicule others for their choices in marriage relationships they made ,,, t hey can have their face book ,

Not sure about other states but in Florida only RSOs that have a computer related crime cannot initially use a computer - but then during probation (as art of the treatment) the counselor will eventually make a safety plan for using a computer. They have to put a software on it (costs 9 bucks a month!) that monitors every keystroke and sends a report to the counselor.

yah soon as i turn my comp on it has password you have to put in box before the windows screen pops up . so my hub dont know the password and he cant ever be on it windows screen . to even get in windows screen till im home after work .which is no big deal to him , i remember long ago pro the 1 st one he had tried every thing in world to get online with lap top i had . and then hub called me from work and asked me what password was . i was like what for , he said pro was there and wanted get online . i told him its my computer and only i know passowrd , they wasnt goign to get it . well they left it at they couldnt get on it , then the phone we had they went thru it to see what they could find . loooked at pics we saved . i guess they was hoping to find bad stuff , but never have . asked him if he can get online he said yes the phone can get online but he doesnt access it . they went on with their business and left us alone. while at pro when car checks . they went thru my purse one time .asked if i drove or him . i didnt understand that . it was my purse not his belongings . i had nothign to hide so i went with the flow , etc no problems . this went on 4 yrs so far . they use to come every month on the month to do visits . sometimes just knocked on door asked how we was and left . they was very nice . then they wouldnt come for a long time . asked which closet was wife and what one was hub . they didnt check mine or my drawers but checked his side and stuff . , so that to me they cant check our stuff ,,only the one who is on probation . anyways we do ahve a nicer probation thank GOD . before it was a rough woman mean and all , but then we need up with this guy and hes very quiet but nice and hes the one who cut my hub bracelet off , hes the head of them all .offciers now. , i believe if you do what your told no problems no deceiving ness . pay and do what is right pros will have no problem with you . its when your caulky and dont follow rules and or get in trouble or prove that you are deceiving they will def be on your tail . some the guys are hounded and cops are constantly on their tails , cause they are showing caulky attitudes and showing deceit . well my hub pro told the people now that they dont have to go pro ofice no more , they wil be coming each month to visit house and if updates do them then . they have a comp w ith them they can take care of it all then . so we have no idea when they will be coming etc . but not worried and to save gas and 2 hrs at office is a plus for my hub . , plus he wont have to be with the general probationers in same office waiting .to see his pro officer. so wont have to worry if the people reconze him or vigilantes , ty JESUS . had that fear before

I live in PA. Now my hubby's charges weren't computer related and so we were allowed the internet connected computer BUT the PO was to be able to access it anytime he felt like...that was the condition for being able to have it.
It is possible that the 'rules" will be lessened for computers later on as he shows that he follows them. I know they lessened them for my hubby.
Also, my hubby was able to get off probation half way through as long as the SO councelor was ok with it and his fines and fees were paid

Nak, Coastie's advice is good advice. My hubby's PO happened to be a friend of mine from school. We still didn't get preferential treatment but he was at least nice,,,tho' he played the A$$hole the first time.
However, I still was prepare not to let him get away with infringing on my rights or that of my kids. My son collects daggers, swords etc. he was not allowed to have those..ok I understand, (for the metal) but I balked on his wooden ones, and won that round (the other's got stored at a friend's)
Hubby was also not allowed alcohol, or Nyquil and generally it's the "rule" that it shouldn't be in the house at all but I showed the PO my stockpile (I'm a couponer) of Listerine, toothpaste, toiletpaper, laundry detergent, etc. i was allowed to keep all products that contained alcohol and all cold meds. etc...as long as my hubby didn't partake.
Each PO is different, hopefully your son's will work with you. If you get a truly mean one...don't hesitate to take it up the chain of command

Nak,

Trust me, this is no time to play the "tough guy" role with your son's PO. Nobody ever gets ahead in this game by pissing off the PO, especially in the beginning.

I have seen guys that continually "test" the PO, and they invariably are sent back to prison---and you sure as hell do not want that.

Your mission or goal right now is just to get your son home and out of prison; at this time it is not your goal to be a sort of advocate and push the envelope to see how far you can go with this new PO.

Now I am not saying to let him run all over you and violate every civil or constitutional right you or your son ever had. I am not saying that at all, but I am saying to play ball with him right now.

If he does something egregious later to your son, you can call him on it.

This entire process is a game, and right now the PO holds all the ammunitions. In his hands he has the power to send your son back to prison in the twinkling of any eye.

LEARN TO PLAY THE GAME.

Don't go out of your way to piss him off needlessly. That would be stupid.

rewdiazepam

I agree oneofthem. I'm getting prepared. I read a book that these people use on interogation. It's their manual and I would suggest everyone read it. You can get a lesser version of it on Amazon. I bought their hard copy which was pricey. I have to sit down and read it again. It tells these officers that they are so smart they can tell if someone is guilty and it give scenerios on how to catch people in lies. One of these guys asked me if the snake was poisonous. They're cornsnakes. But his purpose was to get a response from me, not info. These people are sick and they live in a sick world. The trick is to not be part of it.

Thanks rewdiazepam...

Nakohichi...
Please, Please, PLEASE try to understand what I'm saying....
Your son will be on parole/probation, if he lives with you he AND you will have to play that game....Yes, it is a game, BUT a very SERIOUS game...After he is off paper, then the activism can start if that's what you want to do, BUT while on paper, if he pisses off his PO he WILL go back to Prison....If you piss off his PO in defense of your son,,HE WILL go back to Prison...It is wrong, but that is just the way it is and your son is the one who is going to pay for it...
This is not "me against oneofthem"...This is reality..Oneofthem(Or myself for that matter) can carry signs, march up and down the street and shout slogans and threats...YOUR SON CAN'T!!!! The only things your son will be able to do is what his PO allows him to do, and that's it, or he goes back to Prison....
One other thing and I'm not positive on this, but in some States, FloriDUH for sure, you cannot record any one with out their knowledge...It's a felony...In New York it is legal to do it so I would look into that..Security cameras may be different so you need to look into that...
In some ways, being an SO on parole/probation can be harder than being locked up...

I know this is a topic that Coastie and I have differed on somewhat in the past – I agree that your son and you do not want to unnecessarily piss off the PO folks. However, I do not think that includes letting them tromp all over yours or the rest of your family’s Constitutional and Civil Rights. A line must be drawn in the sand – if the PO knows you will let them they will violate your rights. All I am advocating is that you know those rights and then pick your battles. Even if that means letting them look in your closets and other belongings but very politely letting them know that you are aware that your rights dictate that you do not have to let them do that but you are letting them anyway.

I will disagree with Coastie about one point. In Florida it IS legal to tape or video tape an officer of the court while in the performance of their duties – this includes officers, judges, POs, etc. The one stipulation in the law is that you cannot actually hinder the actions of the work being done. The Florida law also includes a clause that says you do not need the permission to record anyone if they are in a public place with the reasonable expectation of being overheard. That is why stores, etc. are able to have surveillance cameras. Also the Florida law says that posting the recording information is notice – so in other words if you have a security system that records inside and out of your home with a posted sticker of the videotaping that is considering informing any person that they are being taped. There are only 2 states now that have refused to uphold this Constitutional Right (as decided by an appellate court) and even those 2 states say you can tape if the officers know that you are doing it. But I agree, find out the information for your state about all the laws.

Coasties, I live in Philly. I'm putting the cameras up not only for vigilantism, but also to prove where my son is when he says he's at home. If the PO ends up in the frame, well.. he'll see the cameras, so that's up to him. I have the right to put up security cameras at my home for our own safety. Having something recording while the PO is in the house.. well, they can do pull out a search warrant if they want. I'm protecting my son from the man, because those are the assholes who messed him up to start with. I'm not an idiot. I know our rights and I'm going to protect my son.