An AR (access restriction) is one of the key features of the LWPS/Elgg system, It is used to control who can view your posts.

1. When you create a new post or edit an existing one (you created), just below the "keywords" box is an "Access Restrictions" pull down. The default AR is "Private". (In the next release of LWPS/Elgg, the dafult will be "Logged in users".) The other two ARs for new members are "Logged in users" and "Private".
   
2. When you join a community, LWPS automatically adds the AR for that community to your AR pull down. If you make that
   community private, I believe (I have not tested this yet) that posts you assign with the community access restriction (AR) will be private as well. However, posts in that acommunity that you assign as "public" or "logged in user" will be viewable by anyone. But you should NOT use this community AR to set up a confidential conversation with your client. See the Group Access Restriction below.
   

At some point, you may want to make a "Group" AR (GAR) for one or more LWPS users so only they can see your posts.

The following are just a few examples of other Group ARs that you may consider creating someday for private posts to those individuals.

1. My immediate family
   
2. My friend(s)
   
3. My Mentor
   
4. My co-worker
5. My lawyer
6. My doctor
   
7. Judy
8. Sally and Ed
9. LWPS board
10. All CCCs
    
11. My ...

Creating a Group Access Restriction (GAR)

1. A GAR will only work with your LWPS friends. So, if you want to have a private conversation with someone, make sure you have made them your LWPS friend.
   
2. Click on "Your Network", then "Access Control" and follow the instructions. If you need help, click on the "Page Help" tab.
   
3. If you set up an GAR for say your lawyer so you can post private messages to her, she (your lawyer) must also create a GAR for you if she wants to post a private message for only your eyes.
   
4. It doesn't matter what you name your GAR, just name it something that you will recognize when you look for it when you want to use it.
   

The best way to show someone the power of an access restriction or a group access restriction is to ask them to view a pubic post that you created, then change the access restriction to "Private" and ask them to refresh it. They will not be able to see that restricted post.

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If you are a cybercounselor with a client, click this link for more information on creating a GAR for each other.

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Click here to return to About Access Restrictions (AR) or Lesson 1 or Lesson 2 or Lesson 3.

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Click here to read more about protecting your personal information in your profiles, posts and files.

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If you wish to suggest improvements to these instructions, please add a comment.

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