A Look At Filtering/Blocking Software

The best way to keep a child out of harm's way on the Internet: a watchful parent. The second best option: a software program that filters out content a parent doesn't want a child to see.

There are more than a dozen filtering programs on the market. They all work pretty much the same way, though some companies invest more effort in sniffing out problematic content than others. Not all the companies make it easy to stay on top of the ever morphing Internet, either.

Key questions to consider before buying a program include:

1. Can the program be set up for different users? That is important if you want to set different levels of filtering for individual family members.

2. Does the company make it easy to get updates of troublesome content?

3. Does the company also recommend good sites? That may be a welcome benefit for some parents who are interested in keeping up with the best the Internet has to offer.

4. Are you also interested in controlling time spent using the computer? Look for a program that offers time limitation features.

5. What level of computer expertise does your child have? The answer may help you determine how extensively you want to filter access and to what sorts of sites.

Here's a look at some of the best filtering programs:

• Cyber Patrol can be configured to block access to inappropriate content, limit computer use to certain times of day and control time online. Cyber Patrol can be individually tailored for up to nine users.

  The company uses a team of researchers that includes parents and teachers to surf the Web and find sexually explicit, violent or hateful material. Their finds are added weekly to the CyberNOT list, a subscription service that can be automatically downloaded weekly.

  There is also ChatGard, a feature that blocks sharing of personal information--such as age, telephone number, address or credit card number--in cyberspace.

  CompuServe and Prodigy provides Cyber Patrol free to members. Cyber Patrol from Microsystems Software Inc.,(http://www.cyberpatrol.com) or 800-489-2001, $29.95, includes a three-month subscription to CyberNOT. It's $19.95 for a six-month or $29.95 for a one-year subscription to the list.

• Net Nanny is another top-rated program. It screens Internet sites, newsgroups, IRC channels, ftp sites, email and bulletin boards.

  It can be configured to block sites containing certain words, phrases or exchanges of personal information. It also will prevent loading, downloading or running of unauthorized software and CD- ROMs.

  Net Nanny provides free downloads of updated "can go" and "can't go" list to users. Net Nanny from Net Nanny Software International Inc., (http://www.netnanny.com) or 800-340-7177, $39.95

• CyberSitter will block; block and alert; or just issue an alert when an attempt is made to access a blocked site-depending on how you want to set the monitoring.

  This program targets typical hot-button Internet and newsgroup content. It also has a "phrase filtering" function, which will block content based on certain combinations of words. The filter file of blocked sites is updated daily automatically and is a free service.

  The company also sells CyberTimer, a companion program that controls computer usage.

  CyberSitter from Solid Oak Software, (http://solidoak.com) or 800-388-2761, $39.95 or $14.95 for an upgrade version. CyberTimer is free for a limited time with CyberSitter or can be purchased alone for $14.95.

• Surf Watch can filter Web sites, newsgroups, ftp, gopher and IRC sites at home, school or ian office. The filtering software is updated daily.

  Users can set up custom filters to screen sites, parts of sites, key words or phrases they want blocked. The program also has ChatBlock, which can block chat capability completely or prevent exchange of personal information, and SearchWatch, which blocks out incoming and outgoing transmissions so a child's activities can't be traced by third parties on the net.

  The program includes content from Yahooligans!, Yahoo!'s kidsafe Web site. Surf Watch from Spyglass Inc., (http://www.spyglass.com) or 800-458- 6600, $49.95 includes a free one-year update subscription.

• Cyber Snoop will monitor Internet access, newsgroups, email, chat and ftp access.

  The program can be set to selectively restrict, completely restrict or monitor access to content. It also can be configured to allow access only to pre-selected sites. A network version allows centralized monitoring of all computers on a private network.

  The company will provide updated lists of objectionable sites upon request. Cyber Snoop from Pearl Software Inc., (http:www.pearlsw.com) or 800-732-7596, $29.95 plus $3.95 for shipping and handling.

(The above is a reprinting of an article that appeared in the Deseret News, August 27/28, 1997, by Brooke Adams.)

Compare PC MAGAZINE ONLINE's Review of Filtering Programs, which is also reprinted on the following pages.

* Software products listed for informational purposes only; no endorsement has been made or should be implied.