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Definitions

Contracts with Kids discuss and set up rules for computer use.

Time Limiting limits time online.

Filtering & Blocking limits access to some sites, words, and/or images.

Block Outgoing Content prevents kids from revealing personal information online.

Browsers for Kids do not display inappropriate words or images.

Kid-Oriented Search Engines perform limited searches or screen search results.

Monitoring Tools alert adults to online activity without blocking access.

There are both pros and cons to keep in mind when using these types of tools.

Please 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.

Other Information

How ISPs are Helping -- Many Internet and online service providers also offer safety solutions by selling or including these tools with their services and adopting "Acceptable Use Policies", or "Terms of Service Agreements".

Web Ratings Systems -- Many companies that produce Web sites voluntarily rate and label their sites, using a system knows as "PICS" (Platform for Internet Content Selection).

Internet Issues in the Community -- When children use the Internet in school or in a library, their experiences will be different than when they are at home. Libraries and schools may have different rules for Internet use than your family, because they must serve the needs of diverse children and families.

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Home / Tools for Families

Tools for Families


Your search for information about tools for families produced the results at the bottom of this page. If you are going to print out the information, wait for the page to finish loading on the screen before you start.


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1 - 10 of 22

 
McGruff SafeGuard
Safe Chat Universal Messenger with Parental Controls
CYBERsitter
Safe Families We-Blocker 2.1
ContentProtect
CSWEB
Pearl Echo
ContentBarrier X4
Cyber Sentinel
The Defender

The information below tells you more about the tool features, including whether or not they can be set up differently for different family members and what information is available to help you decide whether or not a tool reflects your family values. If you decide that one of these tools may be what you want, click on the underlined name (at the top of the description) to reach the tool's web site.

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What the tool does:
Browsers for Kids
Blocks Outgoing Info
Filters Other
Filters Illegal
Filters Violence
Filters Hate
Filters Sex
Limits Time
Monitors
Pre-Selected Content Service
No Preference
Technology:
News Groups/Usenet
FTP
Instant Messages
Chat Rooms
Email
WWW
Other
Peer to Peer Networks
Any Technology
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Windows ME
Windows 2000
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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.

 

McGruff SafeGuard

By McGruff SafeGuard

Available since June 2006

McGruff SafeGuard is available for these platforms:

  • Windows XP
  • Windows 2000
  • Windows Vista

The makers of McGruff SafeGuard, McGruff SafeGuard, described their product as: This free service from The National Crime Prevention Council and McGruff, monitors your kids' potentially dangerous online activity.

McGruff SafeGuard 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 or blocks selected personal information from being transmitted from your computer.

For more information about this tool, including how to purchase or use it, visit its web site: www.GoMcGruff.com

Time Limiting

McGruff SafeGuard will restrict the time a user can access:

  • Certian software products (ie: web browsers, email clients)
  • Internet access of all kinds
  • Other

McGruff SafeGuard allows the administrator to control:

  • Total # of hours spent online per day
  • Times during the day which access is permitted
  • With whom they chat
  • A warning will NOT flash on the screen when the user's time is almost up.
  • Monitoring

    McGruff SafeGuard 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.

    McGruff SafeGuard 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.

    Blocking Outgoing Information

    When McGruff SafeGuard is running on your system,

    • You can prevent your children from using email.
    • You can permit your children to send email only to a pre-approved list of recipients.
    • You can prevent your children from using chat rooms online.
    • You can prevent your children from using instant messaging.

    General Tool Information

    Updates

    McGruff SafeGuard does have regular updates to the product.

    These updates do NOT carry an additional cost.

    Customization

    McGruff SafeGuard can be password protected.

    McGruff SafeGuard does support multiple users.

    Tech Support

    McGruff SafeGuard tech support is available via:

    • Email
    • Online Knowledge Base
    • Other

    April 2008

    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

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    CYBERsitter

    Version 10

    By Solid Oak Software, Inc.

    Available since 1995

    The makers of CYBERsitter, Solid Oak Software, Inc., described their product as: CYBERsitter is the original Internet filter. It is the best choice for pre-teens and public/educational/institutional use. It was designed to be easy to use and easy to install. It is a full-featured content management product that keeps kids safe by restricting access to millions of objectionable Internet websites, providing detailed logs of all Internet access, and much more. New categories include social networking sites such as MySpace, FaceBook and others. CYBERsitter is the only Internet filter to receive the prestigious PC Magazine editors choice award 5 times.

    CYBERsitter 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 a search engine containing only age-appropriate content.
    • 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.

    CYBERsitter is available for these platforms:

    • Windows Vista
    • Windows XP

    CYBERsitter 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.cybersitter.com

    Time Limiting

    CYBERsitter allows the administrator to control:

    • Times during the day which access is permitted

    CYBERsitter will restrict the time a user can access:

    • Internet access of all kinds
  • A warning will NOT flash on the screen when the user's time is almost up.
  • Monitoring

    CYBERsitter 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.

    CYBERsitter 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 NOT be set up to warn children when they attempt to access inappropriate material.

    Blocking Outgoing Information

    When CYBERsitter is running on your system,

    • You can prevent your children from using email.
    • You can NOT permit your children to send email only to a pre-approved list of recipients.
    • 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). CYBERsitter is client-based.

    CYBERsitter 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 newsgroups (Usenet), access to instant messaging, access to Peer to Peer networks, access to other Internet capabilities.

    Different filtering tools set up their standards of what material should or should not be filtered in different ways. With CYBERsitter,

    • 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 NOT 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.

    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. CYBERsitter 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 filtering tools allow you to control access in a number of different categories. CYBERsitter offers these categories:

    • Adult/Sexually oriented,
    • Illegal Activities/Drugs,
    • Hate/Intolerance,
    • Illegal Guns/Violence,
    • Image searches,
    • Social Networking

    *** Optional---Gay/Lesbian Topics, Cults/Occult, Violent Games, Peer to peer file sharing, Tobacco/Alcohol, Gambling sites, Banner Ads, Legal guns/Weapons. Personal Ads, Tattoo/Piercing, Warez/Hacker sites. On-Line chat, Shareware sites, Financial sites,Illegal MP3 files

    General Tool Information

    Updates

    CYBERsitter does have regular updates to the product.

    These updates do NOT carry an additional cost.

    Customization

    CYBERsitter can be password protected.

    CYBERsitter does support multiple users.

    Tech Support

    CYBERsitter tech support is available via:

    • Phone
    • Email
    • Online Knowledge Base

    March 2008

    Back to top 

    Safe Families We-Blocker

    Version 2.1

    By TechMission Inc.

    Available since May 15, 2006

    The makers of Safe Families We-Blocker 2.1, TechMission, Inc., described their product as: The Safe Families We-Blocker software provides Internet filtering and parental controls to block objectionable material. The software has the capability to block sites based on Web address and/or keyword.

    Safe Families We-Blocker 2.1 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.
    • 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.
    • Is some other kid safety service: Blocks words and phrases at discretion of end-user.

    Safe Families We-Blocker 2.1 is available for these platforms:

    • Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME
    • Windows NT, Windows 2000
    • Windows XP

    Safe Families We-Blocker 2.1 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.safefamilies.org/download.php

    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 Families We-Blocker 2.1 is client-based.

    Safe Families We-Blocker 2.1 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.

    Different filtering tools set up their standards of what material should or should not be filtered in different ways. With Safe Families We-Blocker 2.1,

    • 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 Safe Families We-Blocker 2.1, you can review the list of keywords, the list of filtered URL's (web page addresses), 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. Safe Families We-Blocker 2.1 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 filtering tools allow you to control access in a number of different categories. Safe Families We-Blocker 2.1 offers these categories:

    • Sexually explicit material
    • Graphic violence
    • Gambling
    • Hacking
    • Anything deemed offensive to end-user

    Monitoring

    Safe Families We-Blocker 2.1 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.

    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.

    June 1, 2006

    Back to top 

    ContentProtect

    Version 5.6

    By ContentWatch Inc.

    Available since 2005

    ContentProtect is available for these platforms:

    • Windows 2000
    • Windows XP
    • Windows Vista

    The makers of ContentProtect, ContentWatch Inc., described their product as: Net Nanny is the #1 rated Parental Control Filter in part because it is so easy for parents to install and manage. Net Nanny is designed with less computer experienced parents in mind. Let's face it, most of our kids know way more about the computer and Internet than we do. Net Nanny installs automatically in just a few minutes, and has an easy, intuitive interface that make configuring and looking at reports of your children's Internet activity a snap. Much more important than how it works, is that you know that Net Nanny does work. You have the peace of mind of knowing that you are protecting your children and family. Net Nanny can block not only pornography, but hate sites, questionable chat rooms and other dangers of the Internet. You can even configure Net Nanny to block online game and gambling sites, and even make it so your children can only play computer games you deem appropriate.

    ContentProtect 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.
    • Monitors the use of your computer or the access your children have to the Internet.

    For more information about this tool, including how to purchase or use it, visit its web site: www.NetNanny.com

    Time Limiting

    ContentProtect allows the administrator to control:

    • Total # of hours spent online per day
    • Times during the day which access is permitted

    ContentProtect will restrict the time a user can access:

    • Certian software products (ie: web browsers, email clients)
    • Internet access of all kinds
    • Access to IM, Peer-to-Peer and Newsgroups

    Monitoring

    ContentProtect 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, the web sites your children have visited, your children's instant messaging sessions.

    ContentProtect 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 ContentProtect is running on your system,

    • You can prevent your children from using email.
    • You CANNOT permit your children to send email only to a pre-approved list of recipients.
    • You can prevent your children from using chat rooms online.
    • You can prevent your children from using instant messaging.
    • You CANNOT 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). ContentProtect is client-based.

    ContentProtect can control access to web pages, the use of email, access to chat rooms, access to instant messaging, access to Peer to Peer networks, access to other Internet capabilities.

    Different filtering tools set up their standards of what material should or should not be filtered in different ways. With ContentProtect,

    • 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 ContentProtect, you can review 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. ContentProtect 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
    • Search Engine "Safe Search"

    Some filtering tools allow you to control access in a number of different categories. ContentProtect offers these categories: pronography, gambling, intimate apparel, family resources, personals, health/medicine, music/entertainment, schools/colleges, sports, employment/career, adult/mature, drugs/alcohol, chat site, financial/ stocks, e-mail, instructional, news, search engines/portals, travel, hate/violence, illegal activities, ads, games, government, kids, religious, shopping, and work related.

    General Tool Information

    Updates

    ContentProtect does have regular updates to the product.

    These updates do NOT carry an additional cost.

    Customization

    ContentProtect does not require special hardware to be installed.

    ContentProtect does not require special software.

    ContentProtect can be password protected.

    ContentProtect supports multiple users.

    Tech Support

    ContentProtect tech support is available via:

    • Phone
    • Email
    • Online Knowledge Base
    • Other

    Language

    ContentProtect is available in Spanish.

    October 2007

    Back to top 

    CSWEB

    By Security Software Systems, Inc.

    Available since 2004

    CSWEB is available for these platforms:

    • Windows ME
    • Windows NT
    • Windows 2000
    • Windows XP
    • Windows Vista

    The makers of CSWEB, Security Software Systems, Inc., described their product as: CSWEB is a state-of-the-art Internet and computer protection tool designed to protect children regardless of which ISP or online/offline application they are using. CSWEB is the most robust filtering technology currently available, utilizing a combination of dynamic real-time filtering engines, site blocking capabilities and Instant Messaging catalogues. CSWEB put parents in complete control 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, no matter where they may be.

    • 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: www.securitysoft.com. (NOTE: GetNetWise staff were unable to find a Privacy Policy on this web site. We urge you to be careful when shopping at or sharing information with sites that do not post privacy policies.)

    Time Limiting

    CSWEB allows the administrator to control:

    • Times during the day which access is permitted
    • Other

    CSWEB will restrict the time a user can access:

    • Certian software products (ie: web browsers, email clients)
    • Internet access of all kinds
  • A warning will NOT flash on the screen when the user's time is almost up.
  • Monitoring

    CSWEB 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.

    CSWEB functions by taking screen shots of the computer desktop at predetermined intervals and 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 CSWEB is running on your system,

    • You canprevent your children from using email.
    • You can NOT permit your children to send email only to a pre-approved list of recipients.
    • 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). CSWEB is client-based.

    CSWEB 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 newsgroups (Usenet), access to instant messaging, access to Peer to Peer networks, access to other Internet capabilities.

    Different filtering tools set up their standards of what material should or should not be filtered in different ways. With CSWEB,

    • The company alone will decide what material will be filtered.
    • 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 CSWEB, you can review 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. CSWEB 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. CSWEB offers these categories:

    • Pornographic
    • Predator
    • Profanity
    • Acronyms
    • Drugs
    • Suicide
    • Racism
    • Hate/Violence
    • Gambling
    • Games
    • Music/Entertsinment
    • Shopping
    • Personals
    • Webmails

    General Tool Information

    Updates

    CSWEB has regular updates to the product.

    These updates do NOT carry an additional cost.

    Customization

    CSWEB can be password protected.

    CSWEB supports multiple users.

    Tech Support

    CSWEB tech support is available via:

    • Phone
    • Email
    • IM/Chat
    • Online Knowledge Base

    October 2007

    Back to top 

    Pearl Echo

    Version 8.0

    By Pearl Software, Inc.

    Available since 1998

    Pearl Echo is available for these platforms:

    • Windows 98
    • Windows ME
    • Windows NT
    • Windows 2000
    • Windows XP

    The makers of Pearl Echo, Pearl Software, described their product as: an Internet monitoring, filtering and control software program designed to monitor and control the Internet activity of multiple PCs and from a central location. Pearl Echo actively captures web browsing, file transfers, news, chat, IM, e-mail and web-mail, including all encoded attachments..

    Pearl Echo 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.

    For more information about this tool, including how to purchase or use it, visit its web site: www.pearlsw.com/

    Time Limiting

    Pearl Echo allows the administrator to control:

    • Times during the day which access is permitted

    Pearl Echo will restrict the time a user can access:

    • Internet access of all kinds
    • Timed free access and timed blocked access
  • A warning will flash on the screen when the user's time is almost up.
  • Monitoring

    Pearl Echo 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.

    Pearl Echo 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 Pearl Echo is running on your system,

    • You can prevent your children from using email.
    • You can permit your children to send email only to a pre-approved list of recipients.
    • 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). Pearl Echo is both is client-based. and server-based, there is a client piece and a server piece to run Pearl Echo with its filtering module.

    Pearl Echo 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 newsgroups (Usenet), access to instant messaging, access to Peer to Peer networks, access to other Internet capabilities.

    Different filtering tools set up their standards of what material should or should not be filtered in different ways. With Pearl Echo,

    • You will XXNOTXX be able to choose from pre-set categories what material you want to be filtered.
    • You will XXNOTXX be able to completely override the company's list of material to be filtered.
    • You will XXNOTXX be able to develop your own list of material to be filtered, using the company's list as a starter.
    • You will XXNOTXX 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 Pearl Echo, 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. Pearl Echo 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
    • Bots to detect malware and spyware sites

    Some filtering tools allow you to control access in a number of different categories. Pearl Echo offers these categories:

    • Adult
    • Error or Blank
    • Gambling
    • Hacking and Warez
    • Illegal Activities
    • Parked Domains
    • XXX,
    • Ad Services
    • Alternative Lifestyle
    • Anonymizer
    • Arts
    • Auctions
    • Blogs
    • Business
    • Chat
    • Computers
    • Dating and Personals
    • Download Media
    • Downloads
    • Education and Reference
    • Entertainment
    • Finance and Investment
    • Free Hosting
    • Games
    • Health
    • Home
    • Job Search
    • Kids and Teen
    • Lingerie
    • News
    • Recreation
    • Redirectors
    • Regional
    • Religion
    • Science
    • Sex Education
    • Shopping
    • Society
    • Sports
    • Travel .
    • Weapon Related
    • Webmail
    • World

    General Tool Information

    Updates

    Pearl Echo does have regular updates to the product.

    These updates do carry an additional cost.

    Customization

    Pearl Echo requires special software: Admin Console + Workstation Agent

    Pearl Echo can be password protected.

    Pearl Echo does support multiple users.

    Tech Support

    Pearl Echo tech support is available via:

    • Phone
    • Email
    • Online Knowledge Base
    • Other

    February 2008

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    ContentBarrier X4

    By Intego

    Available since June 2006

    ContentBarrier X4 is available for these platforms:

    • Macintosh OS X

    The makers of ContentBarrier X4, Intego, described their product as: A tool that blocks offensive content coming from the internet: 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

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    Cyber Sentinel

    Version 3.0

    By Security Software Systems, Inc.

    Available since 1997

    Cyber Sentinel is available for these platforms:

    • Windows ME
    • Windows NT
    • Windows 2000
    • Windows Vista
    • Windows XP

    The makers of Cyber Sentinel, Security Software Systems, Inc., described their product as: Cyber Sentinel is a product designed to protect children from inappropriate on-line content including sexually explicit, pornographic, and predatory material. Cyber Sentinel is designed to prevent sexual predators from contacting children in Internet chat rooms, through instant messaging and via e-mail. Cyber Sentinel is the only product that works effectively for all on-line and off-line sessions.

    Cyber Sentinel 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.

    For more information about this tool, including how to purchase or use it, visit its web site: www.securitysoft.com

    Time Limiting

    Cyber Sentinel allows the administrator to control:

    • Times during the day which access is permitted

    Cyber Sentinel will restrict the time a user can access:

    • Internet access of all kinds
  • A warning will NOT flash on the screen when the user's time is almost up.
  • Monitoring

    Cyber Sentinel 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.

    Cyber Sentinel functions by taking screen shots of the computer desktop at predetermined intervals, and 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 Cyber Sentinel is running on your system,

    • You can NOT prevent your children from using email.
    • You can NOT permit your children to send email only to a pre-approved list of recipients.
    • 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). Cyber Sentinel is client-based.

    Cyber Sentinel 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 newsgroups (Usenet), access to instant messaging, access to Peer to Peer networks, access to other Internet capabilities.

    Different filtering tools set up their standards of what material should or should not be filtered in different ways. With Cyber Sentinel,

    • The company alone will decide what material will 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 Cyber Sentinel, you can review 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. Cyber Sentinel 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

    General Tool Information

    Updates

    Cyber Sentinel has regular updates to the product.

    These updates do NOT carry an additional cost.

    Customization

    Cyber Sentinel can be password protected.

    Cyber Sentinel does support multiple users.

    Tech Support

    Cyber Sentinel tech support is available via:

    • Phone
    • Email
    • IM/Chat
    • Online Knowledge Base
    • Other

    October 2007

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    The Defender

    Version 3.4.491

    By PHXsystems, LLC

    Available since March 2007

    The makers of The Defender, PHXsystems, LLC, described their product as: The Defender is a plug-and-play device which connects between a family's high-speed modem and their pc/router. It also supports WIFI access. The Defender comes with a monthly Monitoring & Alert Service which detects and deters Internet Predator IM chat and Objectionable Content. There is also a version available for schools.

    The Defender 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.
    • 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.

    The Defender is available for these platforms:

    • OS-independent

    The Defender requires special hardware: "The Defender is a separate device which connects between the high-speed modem and the pc or router."

    The Defender 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.GetDefender.com

    Time Limiting

    When The Defender 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.

    The Defender limits Internet use of all kinds.

    Filtering

    The Defender can control access to web pages, 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 The Defender,

    • 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 The Defender, 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. The Defender 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 filtering tools allow you to control access in a number of different categories. The Defender offers these categories: ads, adult, aggressive, anti-spyware, art nudes, banking, beer liqueur info, cell phones, childcare, chat, cleaning, clothing, culinary, dating, drugs, ecommerce, entertainment, gambling, games, government, hacking, naturism, online games, online auctions, phishing, pornographic, proxy, radio, religion, ring tones, search engines, social networking, spyware, violence, weapons.

    Blocking Outgoing Information

    When The Defender is running on your system,

    • You can edit out the transmission of specific kinds of information, like your address, telephone number, or credit card number.

    Monitoring

    The Defender 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, the web sites your children have visited, 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.

    May 18, 2007

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