 A family guide to Internet content
censoring and
access controlPart 4: Software Packages
Applications
Examined
Cyber
Patrol
CyberSitter
CyberSnoop
NetNanny
Norton
Internet Security
Mcafee
Privacy Service
|
Cyber Patrol |
CyberSitter |
CyberSnoop |
NetNanny |
Norton Internet Security |
Mcafee Privacy Service |
| Multiple Accounts |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Ye |
Yes |
Yes |
| URL Lists Upgraded |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Editable Block Lists |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
| Web Content Filtering |
No |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
| Chat Control |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
No |
| Time Limits |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
| Privacy Protection |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| XP |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
CyberPatrol
Price:
$49.95 / year
Platforms: Windows
95,98,ME,2000. XP has partial support. Mac System 7.1 to 9.03,
No OSX support
Notes:
CyberPatrol is the most well known company in the field of
content blocking. The same CyberNOT list (blocked URL List) that is
used for this product is used in their corporate 'server' edition.
CyberNOT is automatically updated weekly and daily manual updates
are also available. They have been made an example of by people
against internet filtering so you have probably heard of them. The
biggest problem with CyberPatrol is the limited Windows XP support
but that is common among these applications.
CyberSitter
Price:
$39.95
Platforms:
Windows 95,98,ME,2000. XP
has partial support.
Notes:
CyberSitter has extensive monitoring and blocking features.
It is the only product that can email activity logs. In addition, it
logs any attempts to remove or gain access to the administration
screens so you know when the kids are trying to bypass the filter.
It even allows a partial lockdown of some computer features like
setting the time (kids might try setting the time to bypass the
Internet time restrictions).
CyberSnoop
Price:
Platforms:
Windows 95,98,ME,2000. XP
has partial support.
Notes:
CyberSnoop's claim to fame, as you might expect from the
name, is being able to log just about everything. Web sites, web
based email, chat logs, etc. They can all be blocked or logged at
the parents discretion.
NetNanny
Price:
$
Platforms:
Windows 95,98,ME,2000. XP
has partial support.
Notes:
Another well recognized grandfather in the content control
business. NetNanny is the only program that lets you view the
complete 'block' lists. Most other programs consider this
proprietary information. It is also one of the only programs that
can NOT block or filter Instant Messengers.
Norton Internet
Security
Price:
$69.99
Platforms:
Windows 95,98,ME,2000,XP
Notes:
Although the Norton Internet Security package includes an
Anti-virus program, a Firewall, worm/script protection, and a whole
bunch of other things - the family Internet control falls a little
short. It does NOT feature time based access, nor does it have
a content filter - just Norton's URL block Lists. It DOES
however integrate well with XP.
Mcafee Privacy
Service
Price:
$29.99 / Year
Platforms:
Windows 95,98,ME,2000,XP
Notes:
Mcafee Privacy Service is
a small, easy to install application. The interface,
although appearing simple can be a little confusing. Wizards
have buttons labeled 'create' instead of the standard 'next'.
I did find it fairly well hardened - even under Windows98.
Ending the Mcaffe tasks caused the internet access to stop
functioning (a good thing). The content blocking controls are
simplified to age groups that resemble movie ratings. Be
careful with their subscription plan, it automatically enrolls you
to be automatically charged when your subscription runs out (I dont
like that). Be sure to change your subscription preference to
manual! I was promised that Q2 of 2002 would be a major step
for Mcafee Privacy Service. We will see how the product
Improves.
Windows
XP Notes:
Many of these programs
that have partial XP support just need Fast User Switching
disabled. Fast user switching allows the computer to (!)
switch quickly between different users. To Disable Fast User
Switching:
1. Log into Windows XP
with a Computer administrator account
2. From the Start button,
select 'Control Panel'
3. In the Control Panel,
select 'User Accounts'
4. Select 'Change the way
users log on or off'
5. Uncheck the box next to
'Use fast user switching'
Outside Links of
interest:
DMOZ Internet Child Safety
Links
| 
Part 3: Software Features
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