Brave Bypasses Filter / Parental Controls on Windows 10 by Installing without Admin password

Description of the issue:
SUMMARY: Brave Browser in private (Tor) mode has become a gaping hole in our family’s attempts to web-filter out adult content. I am hoping there might be some way to block or control installation/use of Brave browser in Windows10.
MORE INFO: I aim to have internet access but don’t want porn or adult content in my family’s home. Web filtering is never perfect, but at least I hope to bar the worst&violent explicit content. I am hoping I am not the only one in this situation. Currently we use “Mobicip” Parental Control software, I also tried “Qustodio”. Both of these blocked porn sites automatically in the regular window, but had zero presence or affect in Private “Tor” windows. This wouldn’t be a problem, but because “Brave” browser can install without permission from an Admin account on Windows 10, anyone with the install file can have full unfiltered internet (porn) access, and I don’t know of any way to remedy that. Perhaps there exists software which can either prevent the “Tor” private window within Brave or prevent the installation of windows programs (like most apps require admin approval)?

Steps to Reproduce (add as many as necessary): 1. 2. 3.
0. login to windows under a “standard user,” non-Administrator account (Windows10 in my case)

  1. download Brave browser from Brave.com
  2. run the downloaded installation file
  3. A popup does ask for ~“Administrator permission to install this program” but it hit cancel or X out the window
  4. A second popup message states that Brave can install without Admin permission.

Actual Result (gifs and screenshots are welcome!):
See step 4. above

Expected result:
“Admin password required to install this program or make changes to this computer.”

Reproduces how often:
Every time. I assume Brave was made this way intentionally, but that bypassing any content controls was an unplanned byproduct.

Brave Version(about:brave):
Installed Jan 18, 2019,
Version 0.58.21 Chromium: 71.0.3578.98 (Official Build) (64-bit)

Reproducible on current live release (yes/no):
Yes

Additional Information:

This topic was automatically closed after 30 days. New replies are no longer allowed.

To disable Tor, see https://support.brave.com/hc/en-us/articles/360039248271-Group-Policy. Thanks.

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