Today’s post is brought to you by the words Invasion and Access. I could define them here, but why don’t we just look them up on our Smartphones that have turned us all into dumbass addicts who keep returning to the dog vomit! Or perhaps I should spell my key words in a way the younger generations will understand: iAccess and iInvasion. Am “i” the only one paying attention—or is it just coincidence that everything “Apple” is always preceded with an “i”? Sexual addiction is all about me, myself, and my “iPhone!”

Of course, it isn’t just Apple. When’s the last time you used Microsoft to peep through “Windows” at hardcore porn using the conveniently provided InPrivate Browser or Incognito mode? That way God can’t see what you look at, right? Do you feel the constant need to Go-Ogle online? That’s Ogle as in to stare in a lecherous manner!

Ever feel like an addicted Android programmed to sin sexually over and over and over again? Are you yet another helpless human fly trapped in the oh-so-sticky World Wide Web? Are you yet another hapless Christian caught up in the utterly pervasive and invasive Internet? For crying out loud—do you really think all this terminology and instant access, here at the beginning of the end times, is just coincidence?!

In the iBeginning, Eve had to go after the apple. In the iEnd Times, the Apple is coming after you!

Here’s some brass tacks for filtering/blocking your devices—and remember, I’m being general here. The following recommendations apply especially to those who have/will have children. It’s your choice to expose your children to the Internet, so likewise it’s your responsibility, no matter how challenging, to protect them. Trust me, I’ve talked with way too many parents on the phone whose children secretly accessed Internet at home. You do not want to have a 9-year-old sex addict on your hands!

Smart Phones: I do not recommend using filters for phones other than using Covenant Eyes to lock down every app on your phone with Internet access and block specific websites that allow you to get past blocked apps. For various reasons, filters do not work as well on Smartphones. I recommend locking down your phone completely so you can only use safe texting, phone calls, and emails. If you must use the Internet, use only your computer/laptop and preferably a work computer that you know is monitored for porn use. If you must use the Internet on your phone, say for work purposes, then use my recommended filters to monitor and report on your usage—in combination with a scheduled polygraph every 6 months, so you can prove to your loved ones/accountability partners that you’re staying pure on the Internet.

It still may be possible to get a “dumbphone” that doesn’t have Internet access—or you can have them turn off the Internet access—but it depends on your carrier. I just tried to get a dumbphone through Verizon, but they couldn’t/wouldn’t turn off the Internet connection, so make sure you try it before you buy it. You need a phone that does not allow Apps (installed or new apps that can be added), because if you have Apps on your phone, then your phone still has Internet access. With dumbphones you can still call and text and get your emails (I think?), so it’s a great way to cut off access (remember, you just use your laptop instead) and yet still stay connected.

For Smartphones you’ll want to block your phone’s “Settings” app and/or any other app on your phone that allows you to download new apps and/or change existing apps and/or delete apps (like your filter app!).

Computers: It’s a simple rule. Always filter and block Internet access for you and your family. You basically have two options. You can put the same filter on every device (computers and phones only), and yet adjust the levels of restriction to fit each individual on the plan (your spouse, hopefully, doesn’t need heavily filtered access). Or you can filter your access at your router, which means any device in your home would be subject to the restrictions set at the router. I’ve never used this 2nd option because I doubt it gives you enough flexibility to have wide open access for the wife, for example, but it severely restricts the husband. This is, however, just speculation, since I haven’t actually used this kind of filter.

Here are a couple of things you need to understand about filters. No filter is perfect. They’ve improved dramatically since the olden days, but technology is ever-changing, so it’s hard to keep up. Filters do not work, for example, if you’re the type who will spend 3 hours searching on a search engines for unblocked sites (which is why I block all search engine use). Filters do not work well if you use social media, because these sites can function like search engines and give you a million new options to try to bypass the filter. Also, in my experience, once you’re inside a social media engine as it were, filters basically stop functioning, so you or your children can do whatever you like.

Filters do take time to set up and require practice of use to become proficient. If you’re completely computer illiterate, you’ll definitely want to depend on tech support to get started, and you’ll need the help of a tech-savvy spouse, child, or friend to maintain the filter. But if you do it right, and stay aware of their weaknesses, filters can be a huge help and go a long way to helping you and your family stay pure. Plus, what’s the alternative, just keep relapsing?  

Recommended Filters and Keyloggers

Covenant Eyes (covenanteyes.com)

I’ve tried Covenant Eyes twice before (back in the olden days) and it didn’t work very well, but now I can wholeheartedly recommend it. I’m currently using the Covenant Eyes app that randomly sends fuzzy pictures of your computer and phone screens to your selected accountability partners via email. The app randomly takes pictures of your screens every minute and also includes the words you typed in for your search and other descriptive information so if you look at anything nasty online you are busted! It also offers an excellent App blocker where you can password-lock any app on your phone. You can also block specific websites (like search engines). It does a decent job of automatically blocking porn sites, but it does not block the more obscure ones, nor does it block porn on social media sites or shopping sites. Remember this version of Covenant Eyes is not a filter per se but a reporter/recorder of what you look at, so I do not recommend its use for protecting children online. Covenant Eyes will soon be adding an app that adds even more oversight to your Internet use.

Important: This type of app only works if your accountability partner checks your emailed Covenant Eyes report regularly, so make sure you set it up so they get daily emails of your online report. It takes less than 30 seconds to scroll through the images on your report so you aren’t adding a huge task to their day. Note: This type of app only works, however, if your fear of your spouse, pastor, mother or (name your accountability partner) discovering what you look at online is greater than your addiction. Some of you are so addicted even this won’t stop you—in this case you must lock down your access completely, severely limit it, or only use work access, assuming that getting fired is a strong enough deterrent for you.

Canopy (canopy.us)

This is a new blocker out of Israel that immediately analyzes each page you visit and automatically blocks out any nudity as well as obvious porn sites. It does not work well with social media sites, so you’ll need to use their app blocker to block these apps. They will be adding a schedule system, which would be a major reason to recommend it. This is a very helpful setting that allows you to set time limits on when you can connect to the Internet. You can, for example, block all Internet use after 10 p.m., so no more looking at porn late at night. Or, if you keep relapsing with erotic material on the Internet, then block your access completely via the scheduler, and allow access only for specific moments when you need it. You can, for example, allow yourself an hour of Internet access M-F at 6-7 p.m. sitting next to your wife as she watches her favorite reality show. I highly recommend this option if you can’t trust your filter to keep you safe, and especially if you have children.

Freedom (freedom.to)

This app is quite affordable and gives you the option of locking yourself out of Internet access and specific apps at the push of a button. As with Canopy, you can schedule your Internet use which, again, I strongly recommend. This app does not filter but it does give you a wide variety of options for limiting access. It also offers, by far, the most comprehensive system I have yet to see for locking down Smartphones. As with all such apps there is a learning curve and I only recommend its use in combination with my other recommended apps.

Accountable2You (accountable2you.com)

 In addition to Covenant Eyes, I use Accountable2You, so I have a double layer of protection and tracking. Accountable2You is not a filter but a keylogger that basically tracks everything you type into Internet browsers and apps. It will also instantly text your accountability partner if, for example, you type in big boobs in a search engine (you can add a list of words that trigger automatic texting). It also tracks every website you visit. Combine this with Covenant Eyes, and you’ll have covered any Internet and App use quite thoroughly!

Remember, Accountable2You is not a filter or blocker, just a “recorder” and “reporter,” as it were. To test this, I just used a social media site I’ve never used before (and never will use again). I typed in something salacious, and instantly accessed pornographic material. My wife immediately got several texts reporting the search engine I used (Google Chrome), and the specific words I used in my search of this site—busted! If I’d used this site before, it would be blocked already, but since I never use social media, it isn’t a temptation for me, plus I know Accountable2You instantly sends my wife anything I type on my phone and computer.

It does take some work to set it up successfully, and it is a keylogger, so you can’t use it on work devices. And it will send your accountability partner your bank password, for example, when you use your Bank app, so you must pick and choose ahead of time which apps you want monitored. You’ll also need to adjust the level of sensitivity in reporting, since your partner could get constant texts reporting your use. Given the initial learning curve, however, the end result will be a system that you know reports your every word on the Internet.

Your Brother in the Battle,

Timothy

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