Web Filters

Web Filters

These are what most people think about when they consider protecting themselves or their family from unwanted content on the internet. Filters have definitely been around awhile. Let’s take a look at some of the more popular ones:

Symantec’s Norton Internet Security 2008

When it comes to virus protection and web filtering, Symantec has created a name for themselves. I downloaded Norton 360 trial version. The interface is attractive and it seems pretty straightforward. (I might as well let you know now that if a software is at all confusing or lacking intuitive manipulation, I get turned off real quickly.) I did come across a snag though… when running the virus and spyware scan, Norton 360 would cause my system to lock up. Now, there could be many explanations for this, but none of them I’m very happy about. Most likely: I may have some obscure virus. The problem with this explanation though is that if an anti-virus program can’t even scan for it and quarantine it… well, you get what I’m thinking right? I’ll have to do some system manipulation and get the thing to work in order to make a true judgement. Otherwise, this program comes highly recommended from different online news sites and the like. Lots of internet awards attached to this one.

Cost: You didn’t think this stuff was free did you? $59.99 /per year

Rating: Withholding until I can figure this thing out.

CyberPatrol from SurfControl

I had a hard time with this one to be honest. It was not attractive, and was a little confusing to get it started. I was not so impressed with it. I have a pet peeve when it comes to software that require more than a little configuration out the door in order to use it. After manipulating the program a bit to get it to my liking, it worked okay. I think that you may be a little happier spending the little extra to purchase one of the more comprehensive filters.

Cost: $39.95/ per year

Rating: 5/10

Microsoft Parental Controls

Now this one surprised me. I’ll be blunt, any software that is distributed by the M-word automatically puts my nerves on edge. However, after setting up the parental controls through my OS (Vista,) I found that they worked effectively and with no fuss. The best part about this filtering software is that it has no cost! (provided you use Microsoft Windows Vista….. which has a cost…. ….ah well.)

Cost: Comes ingrained in Windows Vista

Rating 8/10

McAfee’s Privacy Service

Coming soon

Safe Eyes from InternetSafety.com

Coming soon

Now, there are a lot more web filters out there in internet land, I just want to show you a few of them. Remember also that as smart and advanced as some of these programs get, there are always going to be people who find ways to fool or work around them. They are not perfect. Some unwanted content will get through. More information on this can be found in a lot of places, you just have to look.

There is also software that allows you to monitor what’s going on with a certain machine during a certain time. I did not add these to my list of categories for a reason. However if you want some information anyway, here is a link for you. I didn’t include these because I don’t believe that this type of computer/web monitoring falls under the scope of this blog. Personally, I believe that if you need to monitor keystrokes and things like that, you’ve got bigger problems than keeping your children safe from ‘accidental’ exposures. That’s my opinion.

Premise

With the influx of internet dependability for jobs, school, and even shopping, children are being exposed to the online world earlier and with more regularity. Combine that with moral degradation in society and aggressive and obtrusive advertising, our children are at risk with every exposure. It is this concept that we would like to address and hopefully show the internet community at large what our options are as parents/guardians.

Who are we?

We are Dennis and Sharon, new parents living in Utah. Like a lot of families we use the internet. With computers and internet in our house we want to keep our children safe and innocent. We have found some information we’d like to pass along to anybody with children, or simply anybody that would like sexually explicit material filtered out of their online experience.

What can you do to protect yourselves and your children?

We will compile some information about the following:

Web Filters. There are many programs out there that you can obtain which filter adult content from your browsing experience. They have been around for quite some time now and some work better than others.

Web Browsers. What we mean here are the browsers designed for children that only allow access to specific sites that are approved by the parent/guardian. There are fairly new to the picture and we’ll show you which ones work the best.

Anti Spyware and Anti Virus Software. Sometimes whispale using the internet, your computer can become exposed to viruses and Spyware that leave your system open to obtrusive advertising.

E-mail spam filters. Yes, you and your kids may even be exposed to nefarious material via e-mail spam.

We’ll do the research for you and present our findings. Tune in! and feel free to leave your comments on how you protect your children.

For more information, look at these statistics on the dangers for children surfing the internet.