Software Tools for the Home
Reviews the major Internet filtering and monitoring software programs available.
We strongly recommend the use of internet filters or monitoring software on all computers, especially those used by children. Internet filters are computer programs that make undesirable content unavailable to the computer user. Monitoring software simply reports on Internet usage to someone you have chosen to receive the detailed report of the computer’s usage. Use this chart to determine what solution is best for your family.
| Type of Internet Service? | Who to Protect? | Recommended Free Option | Recommended Pay Option | Advanced User Option |
| Major Dial-up (like AOL, MSN, or Earthlink) or Pre-flitered ISP | Kids | Filtering from ISP | Not Needed | Not Needed |
| Dial-up (Other Provider) | Kids | Safe Families Software | Client Software | Not Needed |
| Dial-up | Adults | X3Watch | Accountability Software | Accountability Software |
| Broadband (DSL or Cable) | Kids | Safe Families Software | Client Software | Filtering Router |
| Broadband (DSL or Cable) | Adults | X3Watch | Accountability Software | Accountability Software |
INTERNET FILTERING FROM ISP |
BUILT-IN PARENTAL CONTROLS FROM ISP
Most major ISP's (Internet Service Provider) like America Online, MSN or Earthlink, provide parental controls that allow you to adjust the nature of content available to each screen name. This means each family member can have customized access to the Internet based on age at no additional charge. The following are links that explain how to use parental controls with EARTHLINK, AMERICA ONLINE and MSN.
PRE-FILTERED ISP'S
A more aggressive option for filtering is a filtered or a “family-friendly” ISP. With a filtered ISP, content filtering is not an option you select and set up; it is built-in and automatic for all users. It cannot be bypassed or overridden. Here are links to some “family-friendly” ISP’s.
For more information on ISP-based filtering, click
. For a sampling of more filtering ISP’s, click
. For families using an ISP without the parental control feature, filtering software is recommended (see below).
CLIENT INTERNET FILTERING AND PARENTAL CONTROL SOFTWARE REVIEW(Purchased and installed on your computer[s]) |
Here is a chart of some of the leading software products available. The ratings have been calculated based on several comparative reviews. For explanation of features, hover your mouse over the term you wish to have defined.
| Product | Rating | Cost | Time Manager | Mac | IM/ Chat | p2p | Keyword | |
| SafeFamilies WeBlocker | N/A | Free | ü | |||||
| Content Protect | 8.1 | $30 | ü | ü | ü | ü | ||
| SafeEyes | 7.9 | $50 | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü |
| Cyber Patrol | 7.5 | $40 | ü | ü | ü | ü | ||
| CyberSitter | 7.3 | $40 | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | |
| Norton Internet Security | 7.1 | $70; $30/yr | ü | ü | ü | ü | ||
| Net Nanny | 7.1 | $40 | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | |
| McAfee Internet Security | 6.7 | $35; $35/yr | ü | ü |
There are many commercially available products. Some filtering products, like Symantec and McAfee, are part of a package of software tools that also include virus protection, popup blockers, and other security features. The advantage: with one purchase, you can take care of several important concerns. The catch: these products typically cost more than a stand-alone internet filtering product and have annual subscriptions. The following links below provide additional information about commercially available internet filters.
software4parents
familyinternet
internet filter review
getnetwise tools
filterreview.com
INTERNET FILTERING ROUTER REVIEWS |
For advanced users, commercial filtering may work for you if you meet these three conditions:
1) Your household has more than one computer
2) They are or will be networked (“talking” to each other)
3) You have a fast Internet connection (not dial-up)
The option is router-based filtering. A router is a piece of equipment that connects your computers to the Internet and to each other. Some come with options to filter content which means the filtering you set up will be applied to all computers in your network. Router-based filtering can be more complex to set up, but is also more difficult to bypass. There is an initial purchase cost, plus an annual subscription fee. Several reasonably-priced examples are shown below.
| Zyxel HS-100 HomeSafe Router $50.00; $34.99/year for Cerberian subscription |  |
| Belkin Wireless G Router (F5D7231-4) $60.00;$19.99/year for Cerberian subscription after 6 month trial |  |
| Linksys Parental Control Router (WRT54GS) $75.00; $39.95/year to Netopia subscription |  |
| D-Link’s SECURESPOT Internet Security Adapter (DSD-150) See link for details. |  |
| RANGEMAX WIRELESS ROUTER (WPN824) See link for details. |  |
ACCOUNTABILITY AND MONITORING SOFTWARE REVIEWS |
Unlike filtering, accountability software simply reports on Internet usage. No blocking occurs. In setting it up, you decide who will receive the detailed report of the computer’s usage. Web sites that are deemed inappropriate, based on the options you’ve chosen, will be red-flagged. Because monitoring software is of value only “after the fact”, we do not recommend this as a solution for families with children. However, it can be an effective aid in personal accountability for adults. There are several available products out there. Here are several:
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