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 Tools for Families
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Note: GetNetWise staff gathered this information from the companies that make these tools. We cannot guarantee the effectiveness of these products, nor do we endorse any products.
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FilterGate
Version 5.15
By FilterGate Pty Ltd.
Available since 1997
The makers of FilterGate, FilterGate Pty Ltd., described their product as: FilterGate prevents the viewing of adult content via its password protected Adult-Filter. You can add your own shareable personalized site and keyword lists to be blocked or accessed. FilterGate also blocks other intrusive Internet clutter including popups, banners and spyware. Online weekly filter updates and software upgrades are always free.
FilterGate is a product that:
- Prevents the display of most sexually explicit material.
- Prevents the display of most graphically violent material.
- Prevents the display of other categories of material.
FilterGate is available for these platforms:
-
Windows 95,
Windows 98,
Windows ME
-
Windows NT,
Windows 2000
- Windows XP
FilterGate can be password protected. It does support multiple users.
For more information about this tool, including how to purchase or use it, visit its web site: http://filtergate.com/
Filtering
There are many different types of filtering products. To begin with,
some products are installed on your own computer at home
(client-side), while others are installed on the larger computers at
your Internet service provider (server-side). FilterGate
is client-based.
FilterGate can control
access to web pages.
Different filtering tools set up their standards of what material
should or should not be filtered in different ways. With FilterGate,
- You will be able to choose from pre-set categories what material you
want to be filtered.
- You will not be able to permanently edit the company's list of material
to be filtered.
- You will be able to completely override the company's list of
material to be filtered.
- You will be able to develop your own list of material to be filtered,
using the company's list as a starter.
- You will be able to develop your own list of material to be filtered,
starting from scratch.
You may also want to review the lists of keywords or web pages, or the
criteria that the tool company uses to arrive at those lists. With
FilterGate, you cannot review the list of keywords, the list of filtered URL's (web page addresses), nor the company's criteria for filtering a web page.
There are several technologies for determining which sites should be
blocked and which should be permitted. Each of them has important
strengths, but none of them is perfect. FilterGate uses the following:
- PICS ratings (an independent rating system)
- the web page address (URL)
- Human review of web sites
- A list of keywords
- A list of keywords combined with an analysis of the context in which they appear
- Some other technology--pages containing direct links to adult content
Some filtering tools allow you to control access in a number of different categories. FilterGate offers these categories: pornography including sexually explicit material, violence and coarse language.
July 23, 2003
Back to top Guardian Monitor
Version 8.0
By Guardian Software, Inc.
Available since March 2003
The makers of Guardian Monitor, Guardian Software, Inc., described their product as: Guardian Monitor records all AOL, Email, Instant Message and Chat Room conversations. It also records descriptions of music, graphic and video files downloaded from KaZaA and takes a Video of the computer screen. It logs all keystrokes and web sites visited. Guardian Monitor is password protected and can run in stealth mode.
Guardian Monitor is a product that:
- Monitors the use of your computer or the access your children have to the Internet.
Guardian Monitor is available for these platforms:
-
Windows 98,
Windows ME
- Windows XP
Guardian Monitor can be password protected. It does support multiple users.
For more information about this tool, including how to purchase or use it, visit its web site: http://www.guardiansoftware.com/more_info.html
Monitoring
Guardian Monitor is designed to help you keep an eye on what your computer is being used for, even when you can't be there in person. With it
installed on your system, you can review
your children's email,
your children's online chat,
the web sites your children have visited,
your children's instant messaging sessions, and
your children's offline computer use.
The program will operate without the child's knowledge.
The program can be used alongside a filtering or blocking tool.
The program can not be set up to warn children when they attempt to access
inappropriate material.
May 30, 2003
Back to top MyWeb
By MyWeb LLC
Available since September 2002
The makers of MyWeb, MyWeb LLC, described their product as: the first ever fully animated browser with a 'smart filter.' The filter blocks access to material that you don't want your kids accessing. It also has a spam-proof email account, educational tools, and a 'kid friendly' internet radio station.
MyWeb is a product that:
- Limits the total number of hours or the time of day that your children may be online.
- Prevents the display of most sexually explicit material.
- Prevents the display of most graphically violent material.
- Prevents the display of most material advocating hate groups and their messages.
- Prevents the display of most material advocating illegal activity, such as drug use, bomb making, or underage drinking and gambling.
- Prevents the display of other categories of material.
- Is an Internet browser specially designed for younger users.
- Monitors the use of your computer or the access your children have to the Internet.
MyWeb is available for these platforms:
-
Windows 95,
Windows 98,
Windows ME
-
Windows NT,
Windows 2000
- Windows XP
MyWeb can be password protected and does support multiple users.
For more information about this tool, including how to purchase or use it, visit its web site: http://www.myweb.com
Time Limiting
When MyWeb is installed on your computer to limit the time spent on the computer or on the Internet,
- A warning will not flash on the screen when the user's time is almost up.
- The program will limit the total amount of time spent online.
- You can set the program to only allow Internet access during certain
periods of time.
MyWeb
limits all computer use.
Filtering
There are many different types of filtering products. To begin with,
some products are installed on your own computer at home
(client-side), while others are installed on the larger computers at
your Internet service provider (server-side). MyWeb
is client-based.
MyWeb can control
access to web pages,
the use of email,
access to chat rooms,
the movement of files in and out of your computer (FTP),
access to instant messaging, and
access to Peer to Peer networks.
Different filtering tools set up their standards of what material
should or should not be filtered in different ways. With MyWeb,
- You will be able to choose from pre-set categories what material you
want to be filtered.
- You will be able to permanently edit the company's list of material
to be filtered.
- You will be able to completely override the company's list of
material to be filtered.
- You will be able to develop your own list of material to be filtered,
using the company's list as a starter.
- You will be able to develop your own list of material to be filtered,
starting from scratch.
You may also want to review the lists of keywords or web pages, or the
criteria that the tool company uses to arrive at those lists. With
MyWeb, you can review
the list of keywords,
the list of filtered URL's (web page addresses), and
the company's criteria for filtering a web page.
There are several technologies for determining which sites should be
blocked and which should be permitted. Each of them has important
strengths, but none of them is perfect. MyWeb uses the following:
- the web page address (URL)
- A list of keywords
- A list of keywords combined with an analysis of the context in which they appear
Some filtering tools allow you to control access in a number of different categories. MyWeb offers these categories: sexually explicit material, graphic violence, gambling, and hate groups.
Browsers for Kids
MyWeb is a kids' browser designed for all ages. By definition, kids' browsers make determinations of what content is appropriate for kids.
You may wish to review the ways in which it makes
those decisions. With MyWeb,
- You can review the list of keywords.
- You can review the list of blocked URL's (web page addresses).
- You can review the company's criteria for blocking a web page.
There are several technologies for determining which sites should be
blocked and which should be permitted. Each of them has important
strengths, but none of them are perfect. MyWeb uses the following:
- the web page address (URL)
- A list of keywords.
- A list of keywords combined with an analysis of the context in which they appear.
Some kids' browsers allow you to control access in a number of different categories. MyWeb offers these categories: sexually explicit material, graphic violence, gambling and hate groups.
Monitoring
MyWeb is designed to help you keep an eye on what your computer is being used for, even when you can't be there in person. With it
installed on your system, you can review
your children's email,
your children's online chat,
the web sites your children have visited, and
your children's instant messaging sessions.
The program will not operate without the child's knowledge.
The program can be used alongside a filtering or blocking tool.
The program can be set up to warn children when they attempt to access
inappropriate material.
April 7, 2003
Back to top ContentBarrier X4
By Intego
Available since June 2006
ContentBarrier X4 is available for these platforms:
- Macintosh OS X
- Windows Vista
- Windows XP
The makers of ContentBarrier X4, Intego, described their product as: A tool that blocks offensive content coming from the internet on your Intel-based Macintosh for both OS X and Windows Vista/XP: adult, sites with subjects not fit for children, and chats when predatory language is used. If you have several children, you can adjust their access according to their age or maturity.
ContentBarrier X4 is a product that:
- Limits the total number of hours or the time of day that your children may be online.
- Monitors the use of your computer or the access your children have to the Internet.
- Prevents the display of most sexually explicit material.
- Prevents the display of most graphically violent material.
- Prevents the display of most material advocating hate groups and their messages.
- Prevents the display of most material advocating illegal activity, such as drug use, bomb making, or underage drinking and gambling.
- Prevents selected personal information from being transmitted from your computer.
- Prevents the display of other categories of material.
For more information about this tool, including how to purchase or use it, visit its web site: http://www.intego.com/contentbarrier
Time Limiting
ContentBarrier X4 allows the administrator to control:
- Total # of hours spent online per day
- Times during the day which access is permitted
ContentBarrier X4 will restrict the time a user can access:
- Internet access of all kinds
A warning will flash on the screen when the user's time is almost up.
Monitoring
ContentBarrier X4 is designed to help you keep an eye on what your computer is being used for, even when you can't be there in person. With it installed on your system, you can review the web sites your children have visited.
ContentBarrier X4 functions by analyzing TCP/IP packets moving in and out of the computer.
This program runs in the system background at all times.
The program will operate without the child's knowledge.
The program can be used alongside a filtering or blocking tool.
The program can be set up to warn children when they attempt to access
inappropriate material.
Blocking Outgoing Information
When ContentBarrier X4 is running on your system,
- You can prevent your children from using email.
- You can prevent your children from using chat rooms online.
- You can prevent your children from using instant messaging.
- You can edit out the transmission of specific kinds of information, like
your address, telephone number, or credit card number.
Filtering
There are many different types of filtering products. To begin with,
some products are installed on your own computer at home
(client-side), while others are installed on the larger computers at
your Internet service provider (server-side). ContentBarrier X4
is client-based.
ContentBarrier X4 can control
access to web pages,
the use of email,
access to chat rooms,
access to newsgroups (Usenet),
access to instant messaging,
access to Peer to Peer networks,
access to streaming media.
Different filtering tools set up their standards of what material
should or should not be filtered in different ways. With ContentBarrier X4,
- You will be able to choose from pre-set categories what material you
want to be filtered.
- You will be able to completely override the company's list of
material to be filtered.
- You will be able to develop your own list of material to be filtered,
starting from scratch.
You CANNOT review the list of keywords, the list of filtered URL's (web page addresses), nor the company's criteria for filtering a web page.
There are several technologies for determining which sites should be
blocked and which should be permitted. Each of them has important
strengths, but none of them is perfect. ContentBarrier X4 uses the following:
- the web page address (URL)
- Human review of web sites
- A list of keywords
- A list of keywords combined with an analysis of the context in which they appear
- Some other technology
Some filtering tools allow you to control access in a number of different categories. ContentBarrier X4 offers these categories:
- Sex/Pornography
- shopping
- violence
- racism
- religion
- finance
- jobs
- alcohol
- chat
- MP3s
- Television
- Auctions
- Hacking
- Sports
- FreeMail
- Gambling
- Pay to Surf
- movies
- newsgroups
- streaming media
- peer-to-peer
General Tool Information
Updates
ContentBarrier X4 does have regular updates to the product.
These updates do carry an additional cost.
Customization
ContentBarrier X4 requires special software: NetUpdate X4
ContentBarrier X4 can be password protected.
ContentBarrier X4 does support multiple users.
Tech Support
ContentBarrier X4 tech support is available via:
- Phone
- Email
- IM/Chat
- Online Knowledge Base
- Other
Language
ContentBarrier X4 is available in Spanish.
October 2007
Back to top
ComputerCOP
By Computer Cop Software Inc.
Available since 1999
The makers of ComputerCOP, Computer Cop Software Inc., described their product as: ComputerCOP is parental monitoring software that lets parents know what their kids are doing on the computer. It runs off a CD; no installation required. The most novice computer user can use it with ease. ComputerCOP finds images and questionable text even if they have been deleted.
ComputerCOP is a product that:
- Prevents the display of most sexually explicit material.
- Prevents the display of most graphically violent material.
- Prevents the display of most material advocating hate groups and their messages.
- Prevents the display of most material advocating illegal activity, such as drug use, bomb making, or underage drinking and gambling.
- Monitors the use of your computer or the access your children have to the Internet.
- Is a Pre-selected Content Service.
ComputerCOP is available for these platforms:
- Windows 3.1
-
Windows 95,
Windows 98,
Windows ME
-
Windows NT,
Windows 2000
- Windows XP
ComputerCOP can not be password protected. It does support multiple users.
For more information about this tool, including how to purchase or use it, visit its web site: http://www.computercop.com
Monitoring
ComputerCOP is designed to help you keep an eye on what your computer is being used for, even when you can't be there in person. With it
installed on your system, you can review
your children's email,
your children's online chat,
the web sites your children have visited,
your children's instant messaging sessions, and
your children's offline computer use.
The program will operate without the child's knowledge.
The program can be used alongside a filtering or blocking tool.
The program can not be set up to warn children when they attempt to access
inappropriate material.
July 17, 2003
Back to top
Safe Chat with Parental Controls
By Zihtec Company LLP
Available since May 2006
The makers of Safe Chat, Zihtec Company, described their product as: Safe Chat with Parental Controls is a universal messenger that supports MSN, Yahoo, AIM, and ICQ network. The parental controls features lets the parents block other messengers, mask foul language, block Web based chat sites and set chat access hours. Safe Chat will sed an e-mail alert to parents when someome signs in to a chat account or to the parental controls panel.
Safe Chat is a product that:
- Limits the total number of hours or the time of day that your children may be online.
- Prevents the display of most sexually explicit material.
- Prevents the display of most graphically violent material.
- Is an Internet browser specially designed for younger users.
- Prevents selected personal information from being transmitted from your computer.
- Monitors the use of your computer or the access your children have to the Internet.
Safe Chat is available for these platforms:
-
Windows 98,
Windows ME
-
Windows NT,
Windows 2000
- Windows XP
Safe Chat can be password protected. It does support multiple users.
For more information about this tool, including how to purchase or use it, visit its web site: www.safechat.org
Time Limiting
When Safe Chat is installed on your computer to limit the time spent on the computer or on the Internet,
- You can set the program to only allow Internet access during certain
periods of time.
Safe Chat
limits access hours to IM chatting.
Filtering
There are many different types of filtering products. To begin with,
some products are installed on your own computer at home
(client-side), while others are installed on the larger computers at
your Internet service provider (server-side). Safe Chat
is client-based.
Safe Chat can control
access to chat rooms,
access to instant messaging.
Different filtering tools set up their standards of what material
should or should not be filtered in different ways. With Safe Chat,
- You will be able to develop your own list of material to be filtered,
using the company's list as a starter.
You may also want to review the lists of keywords or web pages, or the
criteria that the tool company uses to arrive at those lists. With
Safe Chat, you can review
the list of keywords,
the list of filtered URL's (web page addresses).
There are several technologies for determining which sites should be
blocked and which should be permitted. Each of them has important
strengths, but none of them is perfect. Safe Chat uses the following:
- the web page address (URL)
- Human review of web sites
- A list of keywords
- A list of keywords combined with an analysis of the context in which they appear
Blocking Outgoing Information
When Safe Chat is running on your system,
- You can prevent your children from using chat rooms online.
- You can prevent your children from using ICQ or other forms of instant
messaging.
- You can edit out the transmission of specific kinds of information, like
your address, telephone number, or credit card number.
Monitoring
Safe Chat is designed to help you keep an eye on what your computer is being used for, even when you can't be there in person. With it
installed on your system, you can review
your children's online chat,
your children's instant messaging sessions.
The program can be used alongside a filtering or blocking tool.
The program can be set up to warn children when they attempt to access
inappropriate material.
August 2006
Back to top Yahooligans!
By Yahoo! Inc.
Available since 1996
The makers of Yahooligans!, Yahoo! Inc., described their product as: a browsable, searchable directory of hand-screened Internet sites for kids 7-12. Site also includes other content features including games, sports, news, animals, science and dinosaurs, a reference area, and more.
Yahooligans! is a product that:
- Is a search engine containing only age-appropriate content.
- Is a Pre-selected Content Service.
Yahooligans! is available for these platforms:
-
Macintosh OS 9,
Macintosh OS X
- Windows 3.1
-
Windows 95,
Windows 98,
Windows ME
-
Windows NT,
Windows 2000
- Windows XP
- Linux
- OS-independent
Yahooligans! can not be password protected. It does support multiple users.
For more information about this tool, including how to purchase or use it, visit its web site: http://www.yahooligans.com/
Kids' Search Engines
Yahooligans! is a kids' search engine designed for ages 7-12. It limits search results to sites deemed appropriate for kids. you may wish to review the ways in which such decisions are made. With
Yahooligans!,
- You can review the company's criteria for blocking a web page.
- You can not review the list of keywords.
- You can not review the list of blocked URL's (web page addresses).
There are several technologies for determining which sites should be
blocked and which should be permitted. Each of them has important
strengths, but none of them are perfect. Yahooligans! uses the following:
- the web page address (URL)
- Human review of web sites
Pre-Selected Content Service
Yahooligans! makes only pre-approved content available. The content is selected by:
- Tool provider personnel,
- Proprietary content developed by tool provider
It is technically possible to leave the service's approved content area.
Content is made available to families via
normal access over the web.
Users may control the pre-selected content provided by Yahoo! Inc. by
- submiting URLs for addition to pre-selected content
- submiting requests for pre-existing content selections to be removed
Yahooligans! does not rely on other commerically available products.
April 29, 2003
Back to top Back to top Eblaster
Version 5.0
By SpectorSoft
Available since March 2007
The makers of EBlaster, Spector Soft, described their product as: eBlaster is the most dependable, full-featured remote surveillance product available from SpectorSoft, the worldwide leader in Internet monitoring software. With eBlaster there is no need to ever go to the monitored computer to review the recorded activities...the reports arrive in your email.
EBlaster is a product that:
- Monitors the use of your computer or the access your children have to the Internet.
EBlaster is available for these platforms:
-
Windows 98,
Windows ME
-
Windows NT,
Windows 2000
-
Windows XP
EBlaster can be password protected and does support multiple users.
For more information about this tool, including how to purchase or use it, visit its web site: http://www.spectorsoft.com/
Monitoring
EBlaster is designed to help you keep an eye on what your computer is being used for, even when you can't be there in person. With it installed on your system, you can review
your children's email,
your children's online chat,
the web sites your children have visited,
your children's instant messaging sessions, and
your children's offline computer use.
The program will operate without the child's knowledge.
The program can be used alongside a filtering or blocking tool.
The program cannot be set up to warn children when they attempt to access
inappropriate material.
July 2007
Back to top WebBlock
Version 1.0
By AB Software
Available since February 2003
The makers of WebBlock, AB Software, described their product as: a service that applies a rating to Web sites. It allows users to select rated sites to view or reject.
WebBlock is a product that:
- Prevents the display of most sexually explicit material.
- Prevents the display of most graphically violent material.
- Prevents the display of most material advocating hate groups and their messages.
- Prevents the display of most material advocating illegal activity, such as drug use, bomb making, or underage drinking and gambling.
- Prevents the display of other categories of material.
- Monitors the use of your computer or the access your children have to the Internet.
WebBlock is available for these platforms:
-
Windows 95,
Windows 98,
Windows ME
-
Windows NT,
Windows 2000
- Windows XP
WebBlock can be password protected and does support multiple users.
For more information about this tool, including how to purchase or use it, visit its web site: http://www.webblock.net
Filtering
There are many different types of filtering products. To begin with,
some products are installed on your own computer at home
(client-side), while others are installed on the larger computers at
your Internet service provider (server-side). WebBlock
is both client-based and server-based. It is available for home use.
WebBlock can control
access to web pages,
access to chat rooms, and
access to newsgroups (Usenet).
Different filtering tools set up their standards of what material
should or should not be filtered in different ways. With WebBlock,
- You will be able to choose from pre-set categories what material you
want to be filtered.
- You will be able to permanently edit the company's list of material
to be filtered.
- You will be able to completely override the company's list of
material to be filtered.
- You will be able to develop your own list of material to be filtered,
using the company's list as a starter.
- You will be able to develop your own list of material to be filtered,
starting from scratch.
You may also want to review the lists of keywords or web pages, or the
criteria that the tool company uses to arrive at those lists. With
WebBlock, you can review
the list of filtered URL's (web page addresses) and
the company's criteria for filtering a web page.
There are several technologies for determining which sites should be
blocked and which should be permitted. Each of them has important
strengths, but none of them is perfect. WebBlock uses the following:
- the web page address (URL)
- Human review of web sites
- WebBlock classified ratings
Some filtering tools allow you to control access in a number of different categories. WebBlock offers these categories: auction sites, chat rooms, dating sites, employment sites, gambling sites, hate sites, illegal sites, kids, news group, age 17 and older, search engines, and xrated sites.
Monitoring
WebBlock is designed to help you keep an eye on what your computer is being used for, even when you can't be there in person. With it
installed on your system, you can review
the web sites your children have visited.
The program will operate without the child's knowledge.
The program can be used alongside a filtering or blocking tool.
The program can be set up to warn children when they attempt to access
inappropriate material.
April 14, 2003
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