Desktop software · Windows · Parent app for phones

KidoLock – computer management software for children

KidoLock was developed by SDC at the Institute of Information Technology in Civil Engineering (IIC). It runs in the background on your child's Windows computer: only the programs you allow can open, websites are blocked by keyword, computer time is limited and history is recorded. You view and change everything remotely with the Kido-Parent app on your phone.

2 Web filter modes: block only or allow only
7 × 24 Hourly slots per week for free unlock
3 Apps: Windows, Kido-Parent, Kido Children
1.0.0 Windows version
See the setup guide About the software
What KidoLock does

Your child's computer opens only what you allow

KidoLock works from an allow list: a program you have not approved will not open. Websites are filtered by keywords in the address, and 18+ sites are always blocked by a default keyword list, whichever mode you are in.

  • Block every program and game not on the allow list; pick programs from the installed list, running processes or any .exe file
  • Filter websites by keyword in two modes, Block only and Allow only; block by category, such as social media or YouTube
  • Set a time window and duration for each program and each keyword, day by day
  • A 7 × 24 grid to unlock the whole computer during your child's free time
  • Record web history and the time spent in each program; take screenshots automatically at set intervals
  • Your child sends a request to open a program or website; you approve or decline it on your phone
The KidoLock 1.0.0 main window: the protection on/off switch, Settings and six management sections. Clicking X only hides it to the system tray; the software keeps running in the background. Image: kidolock.com.
The system

Three apps, one parent account

Install KidoLock on your child's computer and Kido-Parent on your phone, then link the two with a QR code.

  • KidoLock for Windows

    Runs in the background, starts with Windows and hides to the system tray when you click X. Reopening the window or shutting it down fully both require the admin password. Options block Task Manager and block uninstalling.

  • Kido-Parent for parents

    Scan the QR code on the computer to link the device. Manage programs, websites and usage hours, view history, screenshots and statistics, and review your child's access requests.

  • Kido Children for Android

    An app for the child's Android phone: app locking, usage history, time schedules and screenshots, linked to the parent account by QR code.

The Kido-Parent home screen: a toggle to switch protection on or off, a chart of website share and the day's computer time. Image: kidolock.com.
Kido-Parent: all functions, program management, adding keywords by category, time-based management.
How control works

How KidoLock decides to block or allow

Each time your child opens a program or website, KidoLock checks the cases below in order.

Case Result
Inside a free-time slot (7 × 24 grid) Control is paused: any program or website can open
Web address contains a default 18+ keyword Always blocked, whatever mode is selected
Program is not on the allow list Blocked, optionally with a notification
Program is allowed but has a schedule Opens only within the set time window and duration
Allow only website mode Only addresses containing a listed keyword open; a keyword with a schedule works only during those hours
Block only website mode Addresses containing a listed keyword are blocked; a keyword with a schedule is allowed during those hours

The settings on the computer are stored in the Registry with AES-256 encryption, so when Windows restarts KidoLock reloads its previous state and you do not need to set it up again. History, screenshots and access requests are synced to the server for Kido-Parent to display.

Workflow

Setting up and managing your child's computer with KidoLock, step by step

1. Install KidoLock and link it to your phone

  • Register a parent account on kidolock.com, then click Download for computer. Your child's computer needs Windows 10 or 11 and an Internet connection.
  • If the download is a .zip file, right-click it and choose Extract All…. Run the .msi file; if Windows shows a security warning, choose Run anyway.
  • Click Next, keep the default folder C:\Program Files (x86)\IIC\KidoLock\ or choose another, then click Install and Finish (tick Launch KidoLock to open it straight away).
  • Sign in with the parent account you registered and set an admin password. This password is used to reopen the window and to shut the software down.
  • Install Kido-Parent on your phone, open the add-device section and scan the QR code shown on the computer.
The installation folder step: the default is C:\Program Files (x86)\IIC\KidoLock\; click Next to continue. Image: kidolock.com.

2. Choose the programs your child may use

  • Open Software management. The left list shows programs found in Program Files and the Start Menu; the right list shows allowed programs.
  • Tick one or more programs on the left and click Allow. To withdraw permission, select it on the right and click Remove permission.
  • If the program you want is not listed, click Allow running programs, or select its .exe file directly.
  • Click Confirm to save.
Software management: tick apps in the list to move them to Allow or Block. Image: kidolock.com.

3. Limit the hours for each program

  • Tick a program in the allowed list and click Set access hours.
  • Each row is one day, from Sunday to Saturday. Enter the Start hour (0–23), Start minute (0–59) and Duration in minutes.
  • Leave both hour and minute blank or enter 0 for no limit on that day. Click Confirm.
Setting the time period in which an app is allowed to run. Image: kidolock.com.

4. Filter websites by keyword

  • Open Website management and choose Allow only these websites or Block only these websites.
  • Type a keyword or domain (for example youtube, hocmai) into the input box and press Enter. Click Load sample keywords to use a ready-made list.
  • Select a keyword and click Set access hours to set a time window, as for programs. Click Confirm to save.
Adding keywords to the allow or block list; a sample keyword set is available to load. Image: kidolock.com.

5. Unlock freely by the hour

Open Time management. The grid has 7 rows (Monday to Sunday) and 24 columns (0h to 23h). In any hour you tick, KidoLock lifts all control; when the hour ends, protection turns back on automatically.

Time management: during the selected hours, your child can use any program or website without limits. Image: kidolock.com.

6. View history and screenshots

  • Website history records the time, browser, web address and category of each site.
  • Usage history records the program name, start time and duration. Filter quickly by Today, 7 days, 14 days, 30 days or pick a date.
  • Turn on Allow automatic screenshots in Settings, then choose the capture interval and the folder for the images.
Usage history: program name, start time and duration of each session.
Screenshots KidoLock takes automatically at the interval set in Settings. Image: kidolock.com.
Turn on Allow automatic screenshots, choose the capture interval and the image folder (account details blurred). Image: kidolock.com.

7. Manage remotely with Kido-Parent

  • The home screen shows minutes of computer use, number of visits, number of screenshots and a Pause protection button.
  • The Software management and Website management sections offer the same actions as on the computer: allow, block, limit time, block by category.
  • The Access requests section receives requests your child sends from the system tray; tap Approve or Decline.
  • The Statistics section has charts of usage time by hour and by day, the most-used programs and the most-visited websites.
Kido-Parent: scanning the QR code to link a computer, usage time statistics, web statistics, reviewing access requests.
Adding keywords by category in Kido-Parent: choose a group (social media, games, learning…) and the list updates at once. Image: kidolock.com.
Program statistics: total time, number of launches, number of blocks, and charts by program and by hour. Image: kidolock.com.

8. Shut the software down

Clicking X only hides KidoLock to the system tray; control keeps running. To shut it down fully, go to Settings, click Shut down the software completely and enter the admin password.

Software settings: web filter mode, notification on block, start with Windows, block Task Manager, change password and Shut down the software completely (account details blurred). Image: kidolock.com.
About the software

Developer and ownership

Name
KidoLock (Kido Lock), with the Kido-Parent and Kido Children apps
Version
KidoLock for Windows 1.0.0; Kido-Parent 1.0.9
Developed by
SDC – Institute of Information Technology in Civil Engineering, Hanoi University of Civil Engineering
Ownership
Institute of Information Technology in Civil Engineering (IIC) – the installer uses the folder Program Files (x86)\IIC\KidoLock
Platforms
Windows 10, 11 (child's computer); Android and iOS (Kido-Parent); Android (Kido Children)
Data
Settings encrypted with AES-256 and stored in the Registry; history, screenshots and access requests synced through the KidoLock server
Website
kidolock.com · Software guide · Parent app guide
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